Computers

My computer died last week. Daddy thought at first that he would be able to fix it, but upon finding that he couldn't, he had me take it to the computer store to get it fixed.

So, Mommy and I set out one afternoon for the computer store. When we got there, I went in alone, because, after all, it was my computer, and two clueless ladies were probably not better than one in this case.

I had to wait a few minutes for someone to come out and help me, (it must have been their lunch hour) and when I showed my computer to the man who finally came up to the counter, his response was quite interesting.

Mr. Computer Guy: "Wow... This is a T23."
Miss Clueless: "Yes it is."
Mr. Computer Guy: "How long have you had this?"
Miss Clueless: "About four years or so."
Mr. Computer Guy: "It's time for a new computer."
Miss Clueless: (smiles and nods while thinking rather sarcastically) "Of course...and I suppose you want to sell me one"
Mr. Computer Guy: "We have some nice [insert brand name here] computers for $299."
Miss Clueless: "Oh. Well, my computer needs to be fixed. The fan has stopped working."
Mr. Computer Guy: "You have a fan in your hand."
Miss Clueless: "Uh, yeah. My Dad sent this with me. It's the fan from his old laptop which doesn't work -or, at least, the laptop doesn't work, but the fan is fine. He wanted me to ask if you could use it to fix my computer."
Mr. Computer Guy: "Well, let's see... Was your Dad's laptop the same as yours?"
Miss Clueless: "Umm, I think so? At least, it was similar enough to mine that he had to put my name on the bottom of mine to keep them from getting mixed up."
Mr. Computer Guy: (Trying to figure out how to get to the fan) "Hmm... Do you see another screw that has this symbol by it?"
Miss Clueless: (looking) "Umm...no...no I don't. My Dad had the same trouble trying to get the fan out of his laptop last night. He did find a way to remove the keyboard eventually, though."

-Fifteen minutes later-

Mr. Computer Guy: "Aha! Got it! (Takes keyboard off) That's where that third screw was, right there, not marked at all.
Miss Clueless: "Oh."
Mr. Computer Guy: "And that's why there are two kinds of people: those who know what they're doing, and those who don't."
Miss Clueless: "And which are you?"
Mr. Computer Guy: "I'm inbetween."
Miss Clueless: "Oh...I see."
Mr Computer Guy: "Ok. So to fix your computer I will have to find a part, which may take
awhile. And that might buy you maybe a year, but at this point, it might be
better for you to buy a new computer. I mean, there is no such thing as new parts for this computer, and it will probably take a while to find a fan for it. We do have some great [insert brand name here] right now for only $299."
Miss Clueless: "So, are you saying it would be cheaper for me to buy a new computer than to get
this one fixed?"
Mr. Computer Guy: "No, not cheaper, but fixing this computer will only buy you about a year, maybe less."
Miss Clueless: "Uh-huh."
Mr. Computer Guy: (Typing) "So, I'll get you signed in here...and it may be a while before I can find a part for you. What's your last name?"
Miss Clueless: (Spells last name)
Mr. Computer Guy: "And first name?"
Miss Clueless: (Spells first name)
Mr. Computer Guy: "Are you sure?"
Miss Clueless: (Suprised) "Uh, I think so."
Mr. Computer Guy: "Let's check. (Turns over computer) Ah... it was 'yn'."
Miss Clueless: (Somewhat incredulously) "Did I say 'in'?"
Mr. Computer Guy: "I think so."
Miss Clueless: "I must be tired."

So he signed my computer in and printed out the estimate, and I left, very happy to have that task finished. : )