Well, I dunno…(edit)

I have been debating with myself over what to title this piece.

"Shit, shit shit shit" did not seem appropriate…

but it reflected my thoughts pretty much all day today, because a virus took over my machine and I could not get rid of it – it changed registry entries and I could not get to any of my anti-virus programs. Spy Bot caught it… but couldn’t fix it and so I have had to re-format the entire computer.

On the one hand, viola! It’s like having a new computer!!!

Only 72 updates to download for my Windows XP system… and new anti-virus stuff, and a scan. I’ve had to reload the video card… and then wait while it updated too. My original reformat discs are so old that Outlook Express for email is still loaded… but I need Windows Live Mail, so, another space of time to wait around for that to happen.

I’m the IT guy here, by the way.

I suppose I should reload my sound card drivers… although that card really dates from my Windows 98SE machine.

That’s more or less the good news.

The bad news is that at this time, it looks like I have lost every picture I’ve ever had on a computer. The second hard drive "says" it has nothing on it, although it’s more than 3/4’s full of pictures and files and backed-up stuff.

THAT’S an "oh shit" moment that’s not ending.

OK, what about the two USB plug in drives? Both of them have more or less the same stuff copied onto them; in fact, I updated the copies this weekend. I unplugged the drives while I re-formatted the system, and haven’t checked them yet – getting online and crying about it I guess is/was more important.

On the other paw, since I had so much time to wait for things to download and install, I have made real progress on straightening up the apartment – I have floor space by the TV/entertainment system, where none has been for… a long time.

I’m still finding cat toys under stuff, and am dealing with that "woulda, shoulda, could" voice that’s dogged me since my cat died that tells me I screwed up and let my cat die. It’s a mean voice, that "woulda, shoulda, coulda" voice, cruel and unforgiving and I know it’s a destructive voice to listen to.

First then cat, then the computer – for awhile today it was looking pretty freaking bleak. The possibility of having lost every picture is the black cloud on my horizon. At the moment, it looks like I have lost all my music files too.

A few more things to download or reload and I guess I’ll plug in those USB drives and see if I truly have lost everything.

EDIT

Ok, the sound card is DEAFENING upon a restart after installation.

IT’S LOUD!!!

I can’t get into the second hard drive, the one that’s installed in the box.  It has copies of all my pictures on it.  (I just reformated the C drive – it has NOTHING on it but the operating system)

oh, shit

The second hard drive is…  I dunno.  It’s 3 quarters full and I can’t see a blessed thing on it.  No pics, no documents, no nothing.

Oh, no.

***

Plug in one of the USB drives and… I can see files, I can click on things, all is not lost.

Now, I stil have to reload camera programs and editing programs and… I’m not sure what else, but, wow, It’s kinda like I have a new computer.

I’ll plug in the other USB drive and see what I see with that one.

It could be worse.

Sooo much worse!!!!

*****