Dear old workstation.

Gash, yesterday was a real hassle. I can tell you that much. It started early in the morning when I turned on my computer. Due to some minor inconveniences I decided to enter the BIOS. So, I made my adjustments and saved for reboot. Ka-blaam! I got stuck at the POST phase. The last line I read was the CPU identification, no quick memory testing, no possibility for hitting DEL. Stuck! This wasn't what I was expecting. After a couple of minutes I realized the seriousness of this matter. I was stuck. I had to fetch some ancient computer at some 2nd hand store, just to fetch the floppy drive and re-flash the BIOS, 'cuz I couldn't get into the operating system. Then it hit me, I would not even be able to re-write BIOS data through a floppy drive, since I was stuck at nowhere land. Oh no!

I hoped for a minor circuit flaw that a JP1 reset would correct. So, I popped the hood and flipped the jumper back and forth. Reboot. Same old lock-down screen. I started feeling blue. This was not fun. Fortunately, my photos and other precious data wouldn't be harmed, since they were on the hard drive. Anyways, it is not fun being all shutdown like this. We went to my fiancé's apartment where I hooked up with Google. After some reading, I began to suspect that my PLCC chip (chief over the BIOS program) had been physically injured. These things could evidently happen. Damn. Of course, what had I expected? My workstation is a couple of years old, not exactly a shining new Lamborghini, and it's been through a lot. Of course it was time for memorial service. This was only a matter of acceptance right now. Anyways, I couldn't go there, not just yet. I ran into a computer shop downtown, and explained my issue, and asked them how much it would cost me to have them finding a new (fitting) PLCC chip, plus mounting it (a solder task). They told me I could count on ending up on around 700 SEK (72.12€ / 103.36$).

"Oh. That doesn't sound all that bad. Let me think it over, then I'll get back to you"

As I left the store, I thought to my self, "Not a chance on earth, not with today's budget". Besides, for only like twice that amount, I would probably get a brand new (modern) ShuttleX chassis, no longer being bound to an old motherboard running Socket 478 CPU's, which are no longer manufactured. I'd just let it be for now. So I went home again. Made a final attempt to reset the CMOS through that pin jumper. Guess if I gave a happy smile when the good old lad booted up..? You bet!



You see, I don't need a top of the line computer. I'm happy with this machinery. Just look at it, the front is like a bathroom mirror, fully equipped with a 6-in-1 card reader, plus audio as well as USB(2.0) ports. It's a knight in shining armor. Wow, I was so happy. Later on the day, I celebrated this victory by eating lunch on McDonald's. I also went into a electronics shop and bought a PCI card providing 4+1 additional USB(2.0) ports. Up until now, I had used my (only) PCI slot for a dumb ass WAN adapter, an old 54MBit model that is. So, I figured that with additional USB ports, I could plug a WAN dongle in whenever I felt like it. Anyways, right now there's no need, since I've desist from being connected at home. Anyways, these ports were good for just about anything. I mean, everything goes through USB nowadays. We're foremost the USB nation, aren't we?

Just thought I'd share this happy story with y'all!