I first signed up because I saw really simple computer questions with no answers, and I just had to answer them. Today, my column still has more answers to questions about computers than anything else, but feel free to ask about anything. I can follow up on questions too.
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I seen you like to answer computer questions, so I decided to come to you for help. I am in desperate need of it =\
I will try to give you as much information as I possibly can. I would really appreciate any help you can give me. My advice column is "Melody" if by any chance you need additional information or to contact me for some reason.
I own a Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop, and have had it since January 2009.
I received an Ipod touch for my birthday last week, but my previously installed version of Itunes wouldn't let me sync any songs onto it until I upgraded my Itunes account. I did this, and everything went smoothly. I had the new version, and I got my songs synced.
My laptop was fine as far as I remember. It was slightly slower than usual, but nothing that was out of the ordinary. Yesterday my computer completely crashed. One time I tried to get on and it wouldn't even get off the "Welcome" screen. Another time it had be in Windows 98 format and sent me a popup saying my computer didn't support windows or something like that.
My stepdad called Dell's support center, and they charged us 60 dollars for inadequate service. The man we talked to was rude and unhelpful. He literally did nothing we hadn't already done, so that's 60 dollars of ours down the drain. He told us my Intunes caused a conflict, and that's what made my computer crash. He put us in to contact with another call center who wanted to charge us 120 dollars, and we just couldn't afford it. We told her no thanks, and hung up.
I still have a computer that isn't working though. I am so pissed off. I was under the mindset that Itunes was a reliable source, and I could download from Apple without hesitating. Obviously I was wrong? I need that computer for college. All of my notes, papers, study guides, everything is gone. I hate myself for not backing up my files, but I didn't think I needed to?
I guess my questions are these:
- Do you have any idea how I can fix my computer without paying a crapload of money?
- How am I supposed to get songs onto my 200 dollar ipod if I can't even trust the source that puts it on there?
- Can I sue Apple? lol.
You might be able to boot up the computer with a live CD.
Here are some instructions: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/
iTunes itself is overall reliable. If your laptop was fine after you upgraded iTunes and then only crashed afterwards, I'm not sure if it is iTunes that is directly causing the problem, because I wouldn't think that it is able to cause that much damage. (Personally, I dislike iTunes anyway. There are alternatives, and many of them work well. Whether you trust them is up to you.)
Always backup your files. Nothing is 100% reliable.
By the way, sorry for taking so long to reply.
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(5) It's fine. I took it to a local computer repair shop. They only charged 60 dollars. They also disagreed with Dell. They didn't think Itunes was what caused the problem.
Thank you though :)