Cantus is cursed

[nycmermaid]

I am just done with computers. I want to throw mine out the window. In February I spent a large amount of money on a computer I thought was good. Since then, I have had all kinds of software problems with it, from Word glitches, to Money not recognizing passwords, to installing programs that keep my computer from restarting. I spent an hour on the phone last night holding for Lenovo tech support only to be told that my problem is with third-party software, and they cannot help me unless I pay them. But I bought a 3-year service contract when I bought the computer! It cost hundreds of dollars extra! They asked if I have the paperwork for that, which of course I don't. They connected me to a nice lady in Atlanta who was very patient with me as I had a breakdown over the phone, but was unable to actually help me fix my computer at all. I don't know what to do now. I've brought Cantus (my computer) in to see if the very, very nice guys of our IT department can help at all. Last time I had this problem it was after I tried to install a firewall. They were able to get into my computer enough to let me uninstall it. But I just don't understand. I haven't done anything bizarre with this computer, I try to be responsible and always have antivirus and security. All I did last night was upgrade my Windows Media Player because it was part of the setup of my new MP3 player! Oh, and I also installed a certificate that the "nice" people at Microsoft Money gave me to fix the problems I was having with that program (which didn't even work). Now my computer won't get past "Please Wait...Waiting for Windows services..." I feel totally screwed over. If the IT guys here can't help, I will have to pay someone even MORE money to fix it, and if they can't fix it I spent a huge amount of money on a piece of crap that may cause me to lose all my files.

Next time, I'm just getting a Mac. :(


Oh and something has gone wrong with the scarf I was knitting as well. And the raspberry coconut bars I made for the bake sale tomorrow fell apart. At least I was sort of able to salvage those. It just feels like gremlins have invaded or it's mercury retrograde or something. :(

Comments

[abitunlikely.livejournal.com]

Macs aren't foolproof either. They're famous for bugs. That's why the smart people wait till third generation+ to buy anything. Like our iMacs not reading any external drives.

Do you not have the email with your order confirmation? That would list your service warranty in there. It would have come from websales@ca.lenovo.com.

[webmd.livejournal.com]

I have an invoice that includes it in the list of things I asked for in my computer. That's about it. No contract of any sort. All it says is something like "3 yr 9-5". I'm not even sure what that means. I also have some email that Lenovo sent me back in June trying to sell me 24x7 phone support. If that's not included, I'm not sure what I spent all that extra money on for the service warranty.

I wish they didn't make this so complicated. I feel like I have to be a computer technician AND a lawyer.

[cynima.livejournal.com]

If I keep hearing stories like this, I may never work up the courage to buy myself a laptop :/

[abitunlikely.livejournal.com]

You should at least be able to access it on their website in like order history or something. There is definitely a record out there of what you purchased. I don't know if the computer came with actual paperwork. If it did, it's all in my box and I haven't looked at any of it.

[sarahsez00.livejournal.com]

But she could still buy a Mac laptop and expect it run very well for a long time. Its not like the iPhone where its new technology. Also, Mac has the best tech help on the face of the planet. I don't want to sound too much like a commercial but I've never had a long wait to get through to someone, and they've given me free repairs after my warranty was up. Plus the 24 hour store is a blessing if you're willing to go in early in the morning.

Sorry about your computer Meredith (and the raspberry coconut bars and scarf too).

[abitunlikely.livejournal.com]

The other thing is that I have the same computer that she does and I haven't had any problems. So you could expect these to run reasonably well, too.

[webmd.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, Microsoft is the devil. I just called another Lenovo number and the guy I talked to was just in sales, but I told him my problem and he said that he personally has had similar issues and he thinks it sounds really bad, and that the certificate I downloaded from Microsoft is probably the culprit. If I had a Mac I would not be dealing with Microsoft, at least not as much. Essentially, Lenovo sells computers with Microsoft software, but when the software fucks your computer, there's little they can do about it.