you're correct, TK...

Macs are all-around better, more user-friendly, more stable, and safer from viruses.

on the viruses, that may be because Macs are owned by only, what, 10% of users?

so there's less CREEPS designing attacking viruses.

but Macs CAN have problems sometimes, they're not perfect...

I've been a Mac girl since getting a Performa in the late 80s, and my daughter worked at the Geek Squad to save up $$ for college.

the horror stories I've heard from her are MOSTLY about computers OTHER than Mac.

I've been coasting on the same eMac for nearly seven years, and I do okay, lol.

the only time I've had a problem is when lightning struck nearby in 2005, and we managed (by phone, from California to Belize) to to a System Restore from the original disks, which, luckily, my daughter packed SAFELY in my CD case, with all the manuals...

good thing *I* didn't pack 'em, or heaven KNOWS where they'd be found in a time of need !!

good luck on el problemo, and hope they manage to resurrect your Hard Drive, and restore your stuff !!

Great news! We got the computer back today. It needed a new hard drive. DDs are so happy and thrilled to have their computer back.

Since DD18 dropped off the computer as well as picked it back up, I don't know what happened to the old hard drive. DD18 being 18 never thought to ask.

We now have 2 more years on our protection plan and a 1 year warranty on the new hard drive.

Thanks everyone for your help and advice.

BTW - Kay, way back when while I was in high school part of our Geometry class was dedicated to learning computer programming. This was the late 70's and we had to use those punch cards. LOL. My 1st experiences with computers were the Apples. After I quit nursing school, I got a job doing clerical work and had to learn how to work the computer. It was fairly simple to do as I was a quick learner. (All that changed with a few lesions. LOL)

now you can celebrate with some big MAC...LOL

Hard drives take the biggest beating in a computer. That is one of the things in your computer where it is better to leave the computer running, then turn it off. Everytime you power up the computer the hard drive has to get itself spinning up to speed before it can retrieve the information needed to actually start the operatiing system.

This process of getting up to speed is the hardest thing on the HD. I am not to sure about the updates causing the problem, as it doesnt have anything to do with the operation of the unit.

I am sooo glad you were able to get it up and running again. Life would be pretty hum drum without the internet and all the friends at NT

Im havin a big MAC attack!!!!