What the @#$%

Coming home to see this is not a good sign. Basically, we had 4 computers in the house. My office one, the kids old one (too old to load any current programs or games so was just sitting there), the kids current one (although it was having some issues and kept shutting down) and my laptop. By last night, it was 3 down...1 left standing!

The kids old one was basically from the Jurassic era, lol and so I was never concerned about that, but the kids current one was playing up and my brother said he would have a look when he came over (to NZ). In the mean time, Jayden opened both of them, unscrewed all sorts of things, moved cables, plugs etc and both were basically a total mess.

So, with the kids unable to use theirs, I offered them my laptop (under supervision) at the dining room table. Jayden managed to somehow lift it up, (partially by the screen) and turn it around to show us something. I told him to put it down. Then I went to use it - wouldn't open more than about 1 inch before the whole base started to crack open. The hinge was snapped off inside.

So, my brother arrived in NZ sunday for business, then came over to my place Monday (for the autopsy). Kids computer 1 - barely alive, but so outdated, can no longer get components for it, so basically DEAD. Kids computer 2, very screwed up, but once all cables etc returned to their rightful places, still wont power up anymore. Hums when the mains are switched on, but as soon as you press the on switch, it dies. Power pack fried and as it was also an old model - hard to replace that part and probably not worth it, so basically - DEAD. Laptop. (was a secondhand one, but still), will need replacement case - basically not worth it. Totally frustrated, I take a deep breath (and a stiff drink). Then the light goes on and ask my brother if it is possible to get a docking station (like my dad now has) for the laptop, so we can use the kids monitor and set them back up. Yes is the answer - then we find one on trademe for $60, so seems like we might be up and running for the kids sometime this week, but now Carrie has no laptop. That means no more working upstairs at night, no more laptop at camp. Carrie is sad!!!!!