OK. I can take a hint. I was spending too much time on the computer and not being productive enough. I’m writing from the laptop at Panera. I’m working with Antec to get an RMA for my power supply to return it to them and hopefully, they’ll send me a replacement.

I am left to wonder why, in a system that supposedly is very reliable (that’s what the Adamant tech insisted when he returned my call), I’m requesting my third power supply in less than two years. In nearly twenty years of computer ownership, I’ve had exactly one power supply die (until this experience). I think that one was built with a used power supply, and it lasted two years. It was an easy replacement — I picked up a new one at a computer store and installed it for less than $50. I’m not sure what this one costs to replace, but I’m tempted to just go buy one and keep another for a spare. I haven’t messed with this computer since I had it built and sent to me with one exception. When I got it, it kept crashing as I was attempting initial software installation. I opened the case and moved one memory chip to another slot (they were supposed to be installed in the same bank, and mine came with the chips installed in separate banks). If there’s a problem causing it to eat power supplies, I suspect it harks back to the initial building days at the Adamant assembly line.

The PC I bought from them in 1999 is still going strong. My cable modem access is controlled by the NIC on my PC — I could call and have another NIC assigned to get back on line from home, but I’m not anxious to mess with that. Besides, it won’t hurt me to do something else around the house than veg in front of the computer all night. Of course, if I had my wireless router properly configured, I’d still be able to get on line, but I screwed up the connection, got tired of fighting with it, and tossed it aside many months ago.

I’ll be in and out while I get this resolved. Carter has good medical news — I’m happy to hear it, Carter. Holly has a new book on the shelves. If I could just ge my local Books-A-Million to stock her automatically, I’d be thrilled. Go find Night Echoes and give it a read.