The Alchemist

Normally, viewing the innards of one’s computer is as rare and well-anticipated as seeing one’s own innards. It usually means something has gone terribly wrong (or, one is at the airport, apparently).

Well, it turned out Steven’s hunch was correct: the hard drive was dying. I am grateful the nearly 5-year-old iBook G4 (ancient by computer standards) for having the decency to wait until the end of the semester. I love this computer, a gift from my mother-in-law when I was cooped up with a new baby and no contact with the outside world. And let’s not forget that without it, boring the pants off 60 kids a semester would be a lot harder.

When the hard drive dies, the most you can usually hope for is that you were smart enough to have backed up the whole magilla to your external hard drive, for which you shelled out $100-150 when you bought your computer because you aren’t a cheap-ass tightwad like us. And which you, of course, back up weekly in case something happens. Luckily there was a sale on the Acomdata at Fry’s and the computer, elevated in the front for the entire time, gave up its information only a bit reluctantly.

Most people, faced with a $500 repair, chuck the whole thing and start over. But not us (see above re: tightwad). Steven downloaded instructions for how to crack the Mac (it’s not like PCs, which have a readily accessible, more cheaply replaced hard drive, it should be mentioned), got out his Torx screwdrivers and went to work. Three hours and literally more than 30 screws later (“that’s what she said”) he had restored the Mac to fully working order. Total cost: $60 (and a lot of brow sweat).

Computers. Best mid-life crisis hobby EVER. You go, Esteban!