A day after we dealt with the server and forum issues, my desktop computer decided to take a dive.

It would run for about an hour and a half, then the screen would go blank while the CPU kept running. On one occassion I watched as the computer tried to reboot itself while I was in the middle of working on something.

UGH!

Although I immediately suspected that the video card was pooched, my computer techie guy, Ori, suggested that it was time that I should perhaps consider buying a new desktop – after all, my Dell Dimension 8300 is more than 5 years old.

Ori tells me that the average lifespan of a desktop is now 5 years and for laptops, it’s a paltry 3 years — unless of course airport security throws your laptop around and then you’re down to about 3 months. His theory is why spend a hundred bucks or more on something that might not work when chances are that you’re going to have to replace the computer sooner than later anyway?

Sheesh, when you spend 5 grand on a Dell Dimension desktop, shouldn’t it work for at least 10 years – provided that you do basic maintenance and don’t overload it with huge ram-sucking programs?

Ori also mentioned that I should buy the new computer through his affiliate link. I guess he forgot that I was the one who told him about affiliate programs and the fact that Dell has an affiliate program. LOL.

Then Ed – who buys everything online and always forgets to use my affiliate links – told me that if I logged into AirMiles, I could collect AirMiles on my purchase, which ultimately was worth more than Dell’s commission.

I searched at Dell, but unfortunately, they were only offering one model that could be downgraded to XP from Vista (or ‘Beasta’ as forum moderator Griff calls it) on the Canadian site – and it wasn’t one that I wanted. I learned that what I want can’t be had. A big gaming model with 12GB of memory AND XP.

By the way, take a look at the huge differences between selection options and make and model availability between Dell.ca and Dell.com and then be glad if you live in the States for that reason alone. On the Dell.ca site, there are no “Vista with Downgrade to XP” or other convenient selection boxes.

Over the course of a day, I exhausted my tolerance for reading through all the nitty gritty details about new computers, and then told Ori that I really did want to try replacing the video card on my old computer and see whether that worked before I bought a new one.

My theory is that I’d rather spend a hundred bucks or two to try and fix the problem first, rather than blow several thousand to find out that my old faithful programs (Homesite, Paint Shop Pro, etc.) might not work with Vista – thereby forcing me to spend even MORE money to upgrade those programs. And as far as I’m concerned, the time (days, weeks, months) that it takes to set up a computer and new programs to your liking is an even bigger nuisance.

And guess what?

The new video card ($150) worked like a charm.

I have a feeling that Dell won’t like me much but I am going to keep this beautiful old machine running for at least another couple of years — or at least until Microsoft Windows 7 has been released and been proven a significant improvement over XP… we won’t even mention Vista.

Man, was I choked when I realized that the airport security staff at Toronto International airport broke my Sony VAIO laptop when we were returning home after Christmas. Here’s what happened…

At the xray, I’d placed my winter coat and purse into one tray and my laptop in another. When I remembered that I would also have to put my suit jacket through the xray there were no more trays available, so I placed the jacket under the laptop.

BIG mistake!

Laptop computers have to go through the Xray in their own separate tray. So, while I was being frisked (wanded?) by one guard, another security guard grabbed my VAIO and obviously THREW it in another tray.

It wasn’t until we got to the airport lounge, where I planned to check my email, that I realised something was horribly wrong with my computer. It simply would not power up – and worse – it looks like it might be a gonner. One computer shop couldn’t fix it, so now it’s on its way back to Sony, which charges $350 CDN, just to open the thing up and take a look.

Meanwhile, because I am flying to Vegas tomorrow for the Affiliate Summit and couldn’t be without a laptop – I bought a new VAIO SZ Series (VGN-SZ360P).

Here’s the upside… I LOVE my new VAIO.

This notebook is razor-thin, incredibly fast, and for my aging eyes, the 13.3″ screen is a definite improvement over the little 10.4″ screen on my other VAIO.

I also like that it comes with a built-in camera and microphone, especially after being stuck in the boondocks of Mexico for a month last winter in a community with no phone and a computer that didn’t have a microphone. (I forgot to bring my headset.) Talk about frustrating – being able to hear your friends chat on Google Talk but having to type your replies. Aargh!

And because the ole brain seems to be aging quicker than the eyes, not having to remember my headset is a HUGE bonus.

Note: Although SONY has the VGN-SZ360P currently priced at $2,299.00, some of the SONY SZ laptops start as low as $1,279.99 or $37.00/ month.