me. It has been devastating. My whole world was wrapped up in that
computer. But I was smart. I backed up my important files on an
external hard drive and in the cloud at Norton. So I went out and spent
what seemed like a ridiculous amount on a new computer and warranty. (I have to
have the warranty. I can’t fix this stuff) I took it home and
found I had a new and powerful enemy. Its name is Windows 8.1.
IT IS EVIL! My hard drive was not compatible with it and my Norton files
downloaded over 2 days to who knows where. The product key for my Microsoft
Office was on an email in my old system but I do not seem to be able to read my
old emails in this new system. So I chatted with Microsoft and begged for
the product key. They wanted the email address, mailing address, name and
date of the order. I was able to locate all of that. Then they
wanted the last 4 digits of the credit card used to buy it. That was 3
years ago and the card was lost and replaced. They could not help me
without it. So while I was in chat mode I called my bank’s 24 hour line
and explained that I needed those numbers. The associate said that the
numbers would have been deleted after the new card was issued. Then she
checked with her supervisor. They found them! So I proudly gave the
numbers to Microsoft and they gave me my activation key. Without it I
would not be talking to you now. I have been fighting with this machine
since Wednesday night. This is exhausting and I still have yet to find any
of my pictures, music or emails. But at least I’m back on my blog which makes me
happy. Apparently none of my old software is compatible with 8.1 except
for Office. I still don’t know what 95% of this stuff is. When I ask
friends for help they answer with things like, “Dude, you have Windows
8.1? That’s, like way different.” No kidding. Can you
help? “No. Maybe if it was Windows 7.” Well it’s not Windows
7. I can’t even get that on a new computer. Microsoft dictates what
we will use and we as consumers are just supposed to adjust. Until this
incident I actually thought I knew a few things about computers. Now I am
starting over. It’s like trying to learn a new language where they don’t
use the same letters as English. I’m spent for the night but I am
back. Sorry it took so long.