Author: dj (c-68-38-130-3.hsd1.nj.comcast.net)
Date: 03-23-2008 01:18
This is only MY opinion here, based on what I've read, but I think you've established the hardware is not the culprit here. The problem at this point sounds more "logical" than "physical". In other words, software (or possibly firmware), but not hardware. I think at this point, the sensible thing to do is simply stop everything and do the following:
1. Take a break from all things computer for several hours. Go grab a newspaper and hang out in Starsucks awhile. Remember newspapers -- those things people used to read back in the 80's? :)
2. Once your mind is focused on other things, then take a look at your problem again, only this time with "fresh eyes".
3. Try to define the problem you are CURRENTLY having with the machine IN A SINGLE SENTENCE. Write it down. The sentence, I mean.
4. Always refer back to that sentence when you feel yourself going off on tangents. If you find it necessary to go off on a tangent, write another sentence.
Try this. It works for me. :) Call it Atari Yoga, if you like. My day job is as a Field Engineer for Sun. Any time I'm trying to solve a difficult problem, I force myself to define it (the problem) in a single sentence.
