The fix is in...

...and it was simple.

After wasting two days on efforts to reload, debug and recover data from my computer, I simply jacked it in and headed off to Fry's where, $700 or thereabouts later, I emerged with two largish boxes containing a computer that actually works.

And a monitor, too. LCD beats CRT seven ways from Sunday.

Of course you all know there's more to the deal than hooking up a few wires and pushing the buttons and keys. I deleted a bunch of useless crap from the new computer -- I wouldn't want AOL if it offered a three-year free trial, and Norton antivirus has not been my friend in the past -- and loaded in programs I actually use. The whole thing took me six hours to complete, and I'm still not done; one more call to the happy Hindus at the AT&T help center may finish the job. For now.

Not having to worry about depending on semi-reliable friends for help -- I bought an extended-service plan -- is a big relief, let me tell you. So is the better performance of this new box.

I hated to spend the money. I had other plans for it. Oh, well. They probably weren't going to happen anyway.

And now to clean up the damage done by two lost days. Too much necessary information died with the old computer, not to mention emails and assorted items I was unhappy to lose. I need to do some work, too.

So my appearances here -- and as a reader-of-friends'-journals -- may be a bit sporadic over the next few days while I play catch-up.

And now, I need some more aspirin.