It really is as if they program them to last exactly three years. Loyal readers may remember that back in August 2005, my Dell computer broke, it took me five weeks to figure out what it was, trying to fix it, finally realizing it was dead, kaput. In early October 2005, I bought an Asus S-Presso barebones system and Greg assembled it for me with some pieces I had left from the Dell.

Like a clock timer last Sunday when I got home and tried to turn it on it would not turn on. Actually, now that I think of it, it is one month short of 3 years, so not exactly, mmmmh, I wonder.

Well, all it did was beep, even before loading the BIOS, it makes one long and two short beeps. After some Google research, I found that is the code for graphics card malfunction, except the graphics card is included in the motherboard, and it is a really cool and neat CUSTOM motherboard. So there is little chance of finding a replacement. After careful deliberation, and having learned from my previous experience, I’m going to rescue my data and possibly the hard disk, but I’m just going to get a new computer. This time it’ll be a laptop. Right now I’m looking at Dell and doing some research on other options. I think I may end up with a Dell but will have to wait until tomorrow after I consult with James.

We’ll see what happens, I’ll keep informing.

I want to thank everyone for the comments you’ve made about my experience with Cancun Travel Unlimited. I also want to remind anyone who happens to read this post to never give out your credit card number in the phone unless YOU called them, even if they say they are from VISA or from American Express or whatever. Especially if they have they are like Cancun Travel Unlimited where THE FIRST THING they ask is if you have a credit card number.
I want to remind you of a similar experience I had two years ago, while I was staying in a hotel in California (Here’s the link to the actual post):

I spent Sunday night at the Holiday Inn Los Angeles International Airport. I wanted to be close to the airport in a hotel with free shuttle so that I could catch my plane on Monday. I got a great rate for that hotel.

At around 9:20 am the phone rang. It was “Tim from the front desk” saying that there had been a problem with my credit card and they hadn’t been able to authorize it for the previous night. I said it was OK, that I had another credit card and I would go downstairs to take care of it. He insisted that he had to do it “before 11” so why didn’t I just give him my credit card number on the phone. Now THAT was suspicious. You shouldn’t be giving your credit card number to people who call you on the phone. I said I would call them back. I called front desk and, of course, there hadn’t been any problem with my credit card, my room had been pre-paid at booking time.

Now this is a new form of scam, you need a credit card to stay in a hotel, and you expect any callers to talk to reception before being put through to you. Well, remember my dear readers to never ever give your credit card number to someone who calls you on the phone, no matter how much they insist or how legitimate they sound. Always call back or go personally to take care of any problem that there may be. Be aware, be very aware.

Always always be really careful about these matters. If in doubt, DO NOT give out any information, either financial or personal.

I just got a call from Cancun Travel Unlimited, asking for me by name. Telling me that I could get a discounted vacation staying at The Laguna Suites Resort in Cancun for a very good price (I really couldn’t hear how much, there was so much noise. I suspect it’s a VOIP or something, they really had a bad connection).
The first thing they asked me was if I had a credit card, any would do, either Visa, MasterCard or American Express. Oh the coincidence, what if I really happened to have a credit card? would they have asked me for my number and charged me an insane amount of money. I didn’t get to find out, actually, since I was sitting in front of the computer (as always) and I googled them with the word “telemarketing” attached to it. There are so many warnings of rip-offs and scams on the net, it was ridiculous. I told them I was not interested, since it was a scam for sure (heck, they asked for my credit card straight up front). They had a script for this, of course, it went something like “I understand your hesitation…”. Whatever, where do these people think we are? 2001 or so? I will be glad to welcome the Do Not Call List, I just wonder how they got my number WITH my name on it (and not the name I use on the phone book, so I know it wasn’t from there… or was it?)
I will keep reporting if there are any other scams/telemarketing schemes/weird phone calls, if any.

There’s a new post on Garlicster. It’s the delicious recipe for a caprese-inspired salad, that happens to be vegan.

It’s delicious. Here’s the link: vegan caprese salad