The continuing saga of my wonky laptop that developed a language of its own…

If you remember when I last let out a screech in a “note,” (that’s probably what those notes are designed for, a primal scream when computers go awry), I was typing and the keyboard would freeze and then resume, but place word parts on other lines, embedded in other words. I think this could possibly have been my computer’s attempt to speak in pigtech. It wasn’t cute.

Oddly, it seemed to be resolved the next day, after a few reboots and clean outs. But I wasn’t taking any chances. Dammit, I paid for an extended warranty at Dell, and this wasn’t even 6 months into the regular warranty. In fact, I got the computer at the beginning of March.

I found myself back in the Philippines where I spend most of my time hooking up to Trend Micro (remember I told you about that one) so they can use MY computer to fix an issue with THEIR software. That too, has been going on since, well, I got the computer.

I explained my situation, that my computer had developed a mind of its own and that the left side of its brain, known for language, must have had a mini stroke.

Here’s what I learned, so take this down. Discharge the computer; sometimes electricity can build up. I really don’t know if this solved my problem as the technician fiddled with a few settings and told me that if the problem reoccurred Dell would replace my keyboard. But, this is the first thing he had me do and maybe it will help you sometime down the yellow brick road of technology.

• Kill the power with the on/off button

• Take said laptop and flip ‘er over

• Remove battery

• Press on/off button for 5 seconds

• Reinsert battery

That was it. And if that doesn’t solve the wonkiness, just go back to line 1: kill the computer.