computer repairs - unexpected costs

Alright, the jury is in. It certainly was a costly little experience with some trojan viruses and their infective little friends. The laptop I got back from the shop first. It was $139 for the purging and some antivirus installation. I had to run the antivirus program several times before the warning popups stopped appearing on a regular basis.

Tuesday night the destop computer totally crashed  as well. I tried valiantly to get it into safemode and do something, but it was beyond my abilities. Into the shop it went, although this time, I got it into my regular place rather than staples. I got that back last night to the tune of $89. Chalk full of trojans running amok.

So together for the two computers, my budget took a hit of $228. Money that was nowhere IN the budget line.

Yes yes I have my EF but I really fought dipping into it. That is a reaction I will have to explore a little deeper. Perhaps I need a $500 mini EF tucked away at home for things like this?

so I trimmed from everywhere I could. A bit from fuel, a bit from groceries. spending money went into it and the boys donated their allowance to it as well.  They understand that we are not poor, but they also understand, I think, that there isn't this magical pot of free money to dip into.

I will have to do some rejigging of things again at the end of June when my paycheck is short two days of work. I really miss the 'normal' of just a few months ago, financially speaking.

Where the money stands

as of June 5th

Debts
Mortgage - $33 937.17
Vehicle Loan - $11 532.73

Total Debt - $45 469.90

Savings
EF - $2000
Summer - $1000
Back to School - $1500

Special Savings
RRSP - $2500
RESP - $7625.00

Joinings, Partings and new faces

A very whirly past three weeks. We have had three funerals. Young, my age and a bit older. All before their time. All were friends of the family and it's very sad. I ache for their families.

I have a new great niece. She was born five weeks early and will have to stay in the neonatal unit for awhile. So much hair!! (my kids were bald). They live in a different city so it will be a bit before I can see her. She is soooo tiny.

We have a family wedding this weekend. An aunt of mine who has been widowed for years is getting remarried. To surprise us, my father's uncle flew home for the wedding. He is 93 and so funny. It was wonderful to spend time with him.

Hope you all have a great Saturday.

fingers crossed

thanks everyone. I took it back in again and did their 'whatever' so i could open programs. I have done a virus scan. took 3 hours for it to run. I am fingers crossed right now that I have most of it. I will explore the software y'all recommended this weekend if I have time. Been swirly crazy here.

you all are the best.

I spoke too soon

Am writing early from work. sighhhhh

Right after I posted Saturday, my laptop crashed. Major 'critical error' warnings flashed across my screen and some odd 'scan me ' system advisory. It shut down my computer. When I went to turn it on again, everything was black on the desktop and nothing would open.

Beginnings of it were on my desktop downstairs so I shut that down. I took my laptop over to where I usually go get it fixed. Closed on Saturdays. So were my two back up places. This is new. What kind of office depot store isn't open on Saturdays??

So my last choice was staples. They took it in, sold me some antivirus software and I got to pick it up on Monday after work. the software was good for 3 computers so I went to go install it on my desktop. the disk would load but when I went to click on install, nothing happened. I could click all day and none of the parts of the disk would open. grrr

So last night I  bravely turnh on my laptop for the firs time. All my icons on my desktop are gone. All my items on my start button are gone and all my favourites are gone. I 'find' internet explorer and it slowly opens. I check email. Check my blog and then begin to try to find some of my missing favourites. I located a few PF blogs and add them to favourites. I go to one whose topic is about a virus on her computer. I feel a sisterhood connection. As the entry opens up, my screen is full of the same warnings as Saturday. The new antivirus kicks in and I try desperate to x out the false warning windows opening across my screen. They open faster than I can close them.

My anti virus takes 45 min to get to 1% scanned and the whole system crashes and shuts down. 

I have no idea if this came from that site.

My anti virus says it will need 2 days to fully scan. How ridiculous is that? Everytime my computer goes inactive, the scanning stops.  I can't access my timings on sleep mode and screen saver to change those.

This morning the only thing I could open is my antivirus (Kaspersky). After three hours of diligently moving the mouse so that the scanning continues. it is at 5% scanned.

I am very frustrated and I hate that I know squat about computers in these situations.

anyhoo...that's where i am these days.