JUST IN CASE YOU ARE WONDERING...

I didn't think it was possible, but I think that I might have resolved my computer problem and will be ready for classes that begin again for my upcoming term on next Wednesday (seemingly, just in the nick of time!)....

Things I did to resolve my issues:

1. Purchase and have a 300GB Maxtor HD installed on my custom built computer as a primary drive by a Frye's tech; they installed my old 80GB hard drive as a secondary drive.

2. Because I couldn't locate my old MS98OS disk (and just had the upgrade for XP Professional), I had another tech load up the XP OS on my computer, with the distinct instructions to re-run AVG anti-virus on my computer immediately upon getting the OS installed.

(Note: Frye's tech said that (1) since AVG had been the only anti-virus that identified the virus, it would be the one to be re-ran on the computer; (2) b/c the virus was in the memory of the hard drive on which the AVG was running, AVG couldn't remove the virus; (3) running the AVG on the new hard drive would enable it to remove the virus on the old harddrive (because it is no longer in memory). It sounded logical!! )

3. Tech was successfull in installing the XPOS program, as welll as running AVG which quarantine the virus and a couple others that had crept in. As a result I have access to my computer files on the old hard drive!! Yea!!!

4. While I have access to the old files on the drive, I don't have access to my personal documents b/c I had placed them as private folders so that other users on my computer couldn't access my documents. Thankfully, I had previously copied and uploaded them to a web-based storage -- at xdrive.com. :D

5. Computer system runs faster than ever now -- although, the XP OS doesn't recognize the 300GB hard drive as a 300GB harddrive. Explanation: When XP was designed, it wasn't predicted that 300GB hard drives would exist; therefore, it is only reading it as a 100GB hard drive. Solution in the future -- contact the 300GB hard drive manufacturer for the software to download for XP to recognize that it is a 300GB hard drive. Imagine the speed once it does recognize it!! It'll be like driving the Autobahn in comparison to our roadways!! lol......

6. Cost -- 300 GB hard drive was $89.99 -- Installation of hard drive - $40 -- Upload of XP OS and drivers & run AVG -- $60 (due to the time it took). All in all, it cost me a heck of a lot less than purchasing a brand new computer and I have the speed I want. I am happy.

LESSON LEARNED -- Have a back up computer system on hand for these Kaplan studies. Because my computer system was failing on me during the last few weeks of last term and finally cratered on me, my grades suffered in the classes I had been taking and I will have to take them over. I am not looking forward to that, but I am glad that something good did come out of the process in the end.

Next goal -- purchase a computer to have on hand in case something happens to my primary computer system. At least, it won't seem like such a daunting and stressful task at hand to get things up and running again.

If you happen to have a spare computer that you aren't using any more, let me know....;)

Whew!!

I am now ready and ammunitioned for my next term at Kaplan with my speedy computer (starting this coming Wednesday!!). Are you???? :D