Tuesday, September 30, 2008

A Different Kind of PSA

This morning I was chatting online with Aaron about my wip, he gave me a great tip for a way to fix the plot hole I'd stumbled into, when suddenly BLAMMO! The power went out. This happens frequently so I wasn't surprised, and the power came on pretty quickly. First the fan, then the modem and the phone, then Ibis' computer. But mine? Nothing.

I pushed the button. Nothing.

Ibis suggested I wait a bit, for what I'm not sure, but it sounded reasonable to me. I showered and got ready for the day, then came back to the computer.

Nothing.

About this time nausea was taking over. I mentally ran through the things I would lose if my computer was gone forever and some freelance work was the only item I came up with. Sucky, but not the end of the world. I'd just burned cds of all my pictures, and I always back up my writing, so that was safe.

Half an hour later Ibis had my computer flipped over and was searching for a reset button (there doesn't appear to be one). I was already thinking of the new computer I'd have to buy - laptop or desktop - when I heard the glorious orchestral opening that Macs make when they boot up.

"What did you do? How did you fix it?"

He pressed the button for a really long time. Voila!

So, this is a long-winded way to remind you, via Public Service Announcement, to BACK UP your work!

19 comments:

Janna Leadbetter said...

We were talking about this yesterday, and I've really got to get one of those USB thingies quickie told me about.

*adds to Target list*

Jen said...

Yes, very good PSA, Mel!

I'm still trying to breath fully after my own close call. I need to get one of those thumb drives, too. They're cheap enough that I really don't have any excuse for not having one, and many reasons to run out and get one TODAY.

Amy Mullis said...

I'm glad it didn't die. I'm too familiar with that sinking, queasy feeling you get when the blank screen just stares back at you and you know nobody's home in there.

Anonymous said...

My MacLappy will do that once in a while. I do the exact same thing. Just hold down the power button for a minute. Glad all is working now!

WendyCinNYC said...

I don't back up as often as I should. Thanks.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Janna, I blame the thread "Paranoia" because they were talking about things crashing yesterday.

Jen, yes. I hope you get everything back & GO BUY ONE!

Amy, yes. Ibis kept coming over and shaking me by the hips (just a thing he does) and I made him stop because I already felt sick.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Turkey, good to know that's a standard operating procedure. :) And I love the name MacLappy.

Wendy, go forth and backup!

Robin said...

I got a USB thingie before we went on a trip, because Adam insisted on bringing my lap top, and I was paranoid that the airport equipment would erase everything. (I'm not that great technically, in case you can't tell.) But the last time I used it was a year ago! So, thanks for the PSA. I'm finding that USB now!

Angie Ledbetter said...

Ooo, isn't that the worst sinking feeling? Glad your puter came back up without problems. (Ask for a My Book external hard drive from Santa!)

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear that your computer is up and running.

auria

Melody Platz said...

Definitely putting "back up computer" on my to-do list for tomorrow. Thanks for the reminder.

Melody Platz
www.melodythehappywanderer.com

Kristine said...

"Back Up" what's that? Ok, so now that I have jinxed myself, searching back up drives... ;)

24 more days!!!

Anonymous said...

Melanie, I'm happy I was able to help you with your WIP! Thanks so much for linking back to Copious Notes.

As for backing up, I'm amazed how many people don't do it, especially when we have such important information on our systems! Glad everyone here is looking into a backup solution. If you're running Mac OsX 10.5 (Leopard), Time Machine is the best. That's what I use.

Glad you didn't lose anything.

colbymarshall said...

Too right you are, and I really do need to get some pics to a cd pronto!

Nadine said...

Thanks for the reminder, I haven't backed up in a while!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Everyone - do it, do it. :)

Anonymous said...

That's why some folks have bought power back as back up power for a computere.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

We're actually looking into that...

Rachel Burton said...

My desktop completely died after a move this summer (incidentally the same day the ATT guy was there to finally give us internet). I'd recently backed up pics and docs, but I lost a ton of music. So yes, everyone back up!