One of the most overlooked things on a computer is a good power supply. The better and more powerful/extreme the rig, the more a quality power supply is needed. People running store-bought or online commercial systems like Gateways, HPs, eMachines or Compaqs usually are alright as long as they don’t add anything too beasty like an ultra-powerful modern video card. Still some manufacturers ship units out with vastly underpowered power supplies or just luck of the draw will cause a supply to burn up after many years of use, like my brother’s old 233Mhz Gateway. His computer wished an honorable death and retirement but alas, it has a hard and cruel master. His owner makes it work throughout the years as hard as it ever has when it was brand new, without a break or respite. Deaf he is to his computer’s moans and groans and it’s wish for the sweet gentle embrace of a quiet, painless death; well-earned for many years of faithful service.

Grandpa Gateway tried to commit suicide the other day by shorting out it’s power supply knowing full well that my sibling was not knowledgeable enough to resurrect it from the cold electronic grave.

Which was a good plan.

Except my brother knows how to dial a phone.

(A skill which many have come to regret.)

So he called me, told me its symptoms and I told him that his power supply was dead and to look for a new replacement from Gateway or online. He looked around for one but couldn’t find one.

Grandpa Gateway slumbers peacefully in the electronic abyss of the unpowered devices.

So again I got a call from my brother.

(Did I mention this skill many have come to regret?)

After he told me he couldn’t find Grandpa Gateway a new pacemaker, I was able to find a replacement for $29. So he ordered it and soon his Gateway will be resuscitated and thrust back to life so it can toil endlessly once again for it’s cruel, cruel master.

So, with my job done (I’m always happy to help) I smiled and went about my business…

…and then today, just a few short days later the power supply on my sweet sweet UUGM (main computer) went sizzle!kablooey!bzzzt! *gasp* thud! medic!

Karma’s such a $%#@!ing bitch!