Wednesday, October 15, 2008

The Mighty Bridge Baron

Plugging in...

I bid two hearts, ah, but it's not really about bidding, or playing bridge for that matter.

A client did a mighty nice thing for his lovely wife. He bought her the latest version of the computer bridge game "Bridge Baron 18". He did everything right by checking the packaging to make sure the computer met the minimum system requirements, and it did. The wife's computer was older, running Windows 2000 (fully updated) but that was OK, according to the software packaging. Two heart attacks (not literally) later, my client gave up the installation procedure and called the Tutor because... the installation trashed Windows, and I mean completely trashed. The only thing that would come on the screen was the dreaded "blue screen of death".

Although the computer could be shocked back into life by re-installing windows from an 8 year old CD, the shear age of the computer didn't warrant the time necessary to go through "physical therapy". The time and money needed for the resuscitation of the elder hardware was better spent on a newer model. I know, I know. You're thinking just because it's old, doesn't mean it's ready for the boneyard. In this case, it was purely an economical decision. AND, the boneyard is not where the elder PC is going. It's going to a rehab facility first, then to a new home. Though it can't run as fast as the new kids on the block, it still has a place in the world, ablbeit more like an assisted living place, but a viable place for a few more years of bridge playing (Bridge Baron 17 was already on the computer, and worked PERFECTLY)!

ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, is it turned on?

Unplugged