20 July 2008 Y
BLINKBLINK **
2 things that happened during this weekend which made me really tired but yet happy.
(1) Laptop
My laptop crashed!!!!!!!!!
On friday (18 July 2008), I was chatting with my friends via msn and IRC. Suddenly, my screen blacked out. I totally have no idea what happened. I thought that it had automatically shut off. However, I was able to see an outline of the things on the screen but I still have no idea what actually happened. So I restarted the computer.
Initially, the start up went pretty well until when it reached the desktop. It suddenly blacked out again. I totally have no idea what actually happened. That's really bad as I still have other school work to do. I wasn't able to do anything much at all.
I quickly packed my laptop into the bag, went to shower and quickly rushed out to meet my housemate, Michelle in school for my weekly grocery shopping. I wouldn't want to miss the bus as the transport system in Adelaide doesn't come as often as Singapore. I wasn't able to contact Michelle too as her phone credit was out so I had to meet her in school at the appointed time.
When I reached school, I told Michelle about my laptop. She is a very nice lady and accompanied me to the computer shop to check out what happened to my laptop.
When I was at the computer shop, I explained to the computer technician about it. I also told him about my screen being 'red-lighted' during the early stage of starting up. Initially, I thought it might be something wrong with my eyes when I wake up. However, it doesn't seem to be case. It seems to be the same problem thereafter. As a computer idiot, I have no idea what does that mean and I wasn't really concern until friday when the screen suddenly turned black.
Without any further ado, I decided to show it to him of what I was trying to say as actions speak louder than words. However, my laptop didn't have the black-out symptoms again other than the red-lighted screen during start-up. It started up all the way till the desktop and I was able to see everything. WHAT THE HELL!!! I was freaking pissed at my laptop. But I thought it is a sign of relief that things are going fine.
The technician tried to plug another screen to ensure that things went fine. NOTHING happened. He explained to me that it might possibly be my motherboard which have some problem. He said that if I were to get the laptop fixed, I would need to pay at least AU$1000 to get a new motherboard. I was wondering if that really happened, I might as well get a new laptop which can be slightly a little more than getting a new laptop.
After that, I took the bus to the city with Michelle. I jokingly told her "I reckon the computer was too afraid of the 'doctor' so it was being very good at the shop. So I continued to do my grocery shopping.
When I got home, I decide to try out the laptop once again. This time, the same thing happened again. What the freaking shit!! I wasn't able to do anything. I tried calling my good friend in Singapore and asked for her opinion. However, her husband and her told me that it might possible be the screen or the motherboard is faulty. He said that if it is the screen, it might possible be the at least $500 so he advised me to get a new laptop. Before purchasing my new laptop, I called my dad and got approval from him to buy a new laptop.
The next day (Saturday), I woke up early and went out to Westfield Marion shopping centre to go and look out for my new laptop. I went to JB-High-FI and all other computer shops. I couldn't really decide on what I wanted to get. As a computer noobster, I just went to see what is within my budget and also with the specs that I wanted.
I was super tired and hungry. I wasn't able to eat breakfast before leaving the house as there was no hot water as the electrician came to my house in the morning to fix the houses fuses which had some many problems in the past month.
After much dilema, I decided to purchase my laptop (Toshiba Satellite A300) which costed AU$1600 (after conversion is SGD$2200). I was told by a saleman that Acer brand is not that recommended as compared to other brands. So I decide to choose this as I won't want anything to happen within a short period of time.
Toshiba Satellite A300
I faced another problem. I tried to pay my laptop via my EFPOST (also known as paid by NET). I weren't able to pay everything at one goal. I tried using my credit card but I can't use it at all. I reckon it might possibly be due to over usage for my family members' December air ticket to Melbourne.
I started to freak out. I wanted to get my laptop by Saturday so that
(a) I would be able to download whatever neccesary documents and able to get my school work done for my weekly Wednesday Journal Club or Critical Review sessions.
(b) Save the trouble of travelling to Marion Shopping Centre numerous times.
After cooling down a little, I managed to think of ways to pay the full amount on the same day. as I don't want to travel to and fro repeatedly. I went running around Marion Shopping centre and withdrew $1000 from my ANZ machine. I was wondering how can I try to get the remaining AU$600. I tried to borrow from my friends or even my housemate but I failed. In the end, I rememebered that ANZ bank operates on Saturday but I was unsure of the operating hours. So I ran to the bank hopping that the bank won't close as it was getting quite late (around 3-4pm). For those who don't know the operating hours of shops in Austrlia, they closes very early at around 5pm unlike Singapore. To my relief, it was opened when I went to the bank. So I hurried back to the shop to purchase my laptop.
At last, I bought a new laptop. I am really happy with my laptop. I continued with my shopping before I head home.
(2) My pets - 2 Goldfish
After shopping for my laptop, I walked around Marion Shopping Centre and bought my 2 goldfish (Tazzy and Bamby). I always wanted a pet during my stay in Australia. I was contemplating on what I want as a pet. In the end, I decided to get these 2 goldfish as my pet as I wanted some life in my room other than the computer itself.
Tazzy and Bamby
Tazzy and Bamby are so cute. I reckon it is also a good thing for me to look at them after looking at the screen for a long period of time. Good for my eyes too. I heard from Michelle that looking at a fish would be a good way of relaxing at my eyes after looking at the screen for a long period of time. Before she told me this, I actually had heard about it before so I decide to buy them instead of any other pet. I considered many factors and therefore buying fish is much better for me when I am in Australia as I would be going back to Singapore at the end of the year.
I bought these 2 goldfish because
(1) Cheap
(2) I would be able to pass it to my housemate at the end of the year
(3) No problems of me actually sending them back to Singapore as there will be many difficulties.
I spent quite a bit for them. In total it costed ~AU$33.00:
(a) Tank (AU$8)
(b) 2 goldfish (~AU$11)
(c) Goldfish Food Flakes(AU$5.50)
(d) Decorative Aquarium pebbles (~Au$3.00)
(e) Aquarium Dechlorinator (AU$6.10)
Both Tazzy and Bamby are so cute. Initially, when I first purchased them, they are so afraid. Any movement that I did (e.g. putting my hands near the tank), they would be so frightened and started swimming around the tank that make them look as if they are crazy . After a few days, they are able to recognize my hands. So cute. Too bad I am unable to carry them up just like my other pets which I have.
Anyway, I am glad that I got the 2 of them. Both of them are able to to entertain me a little and keep me company while I am in Australia.
So far that is the only thing which seem to be a good news.
Anyway, I shall stop writing for now. Hope you guys enjoy reading it. Stay tune for more. Have a nice day head too. :)