Geeksquad
Sony
Ugh. Two things that shouldn't get anywhere near a laptop. (A Sony optical drive is fine for a desktop, however.)
I say reload Windows. It doesn't cost you anything more but time and effort. Plus problems with config or system can come back weeks later with more strange actions.
Lenovos aren't bad; we have them at work. They are surprisingly very resilient and well made, despite being sparse on bells and whistles. But if you're lookin for a cheaper replacement route, alot of places now have laptops starting at 299. Decent, reliable ones like Toshibas and Compaqs, too. Its a shame you had to put a third of that down on Bleaksquad.
Two rules everyone reading this thread needs to do if they haven't already:
1) Learn how to repair your PC or make friends with someone who can.This means fixing hardware
and software problems. Friends will not take your money to fix your PC unless they need it to buy you new parts. Geeksquad and Firedog are not your friends: they just prey upon people that don't follow this rule. Online friends do not count: you need someone able to diagnose your problems firsthand.
2) Get an external hard drive for backup purposes.Ask Santa if you have to, just don't leave 2007 without one. They are sufficiently large and affordable enough now to make backing up everything you hold dear worth the cost. Trust me, you'll sleep better at nights knowing your data is immediately recoverable, and entirely so up to the time of your last backup. (I personally recommend the Western Digital brand, since they can be formatted as NTFS while most only support FAT.)
