it's just a small breakdown

[walkwithheroes]

My laptop of six years is more or less gone. The back light went out and the hard drive is slowly dying. It's an outdated model, so it could be fixed - if I paid 200 dollars and had it shipped off for a month. But, I sort of need what's on it now. If I don't get it, I don't graduate and I'll have to do my final semester all over again. I had it all on a flash drive, but that got corrupted last week.And, apparently files can't be recovered. . .or something. Or they can but for 100-300 dollars, depending on how much space the files take up.

So, I'm rather stressed. Ok, I'm so stressed I've cried. Because I'm on a VERY fixed budget - I have 300 dollars a month thanks to government aid. And, no one to help with any costs. And, everyone keeps telling me to "calm down", I should, but this all has to be turned in by November 28th and I just don't have the money to fix the computer nor can I restart things that I've been working on for three months and have them finished in three weeks. I'm screwed. I'm trying to be strong, especially as people are getting angry that I'm "freaking out over nothing." But. . .it's like five years of my life where are I worked so hard is crumpling before me. I just don't know what I'll do.


UPDATE: I would like to think everyone who commented with warm vibes and advice. After my small (and embarrassing) freakout, I put myself together and went on my way. I went to Radioshack and bought something, so I could use my television as a monitor for my laptop. ?I used a flash drive to get everything I needed off, and then I bought a cheap laptop to get me through the rest of the semester and the next year or so.

Comments

[jamieguo48.livejournal.com]

I feel yah. When i thought my car, my sole means of transportation was going to need lengthy and costly repairs I could ill afford, I felt very much like crying.

I moaned about it for a while, then pulled myself together. I reminded myself of what was really important.Then I found out that the trouble wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I think that will prove true in your case as well.

If your hard drive hasn't failed yet, you still can grab the files and place them elsewhere. Even if it has, or your flash drive is corrupted, I would google online to see if anyone has cheaper or free solutions.

Have you considered cloud storage sites? Sites online that you can save your data and access anywhere? I try to backup important files in at least one other area besides my computer and flash drive.

Consider sites such as Dropbox, http://www.dropbox.com/. You could access it from anywhere, it's free up to 2GB, and it installs a folder on your computer. You drop files into said folder, and viola, you can access it from any computer with Internet access.

There's also Box.net, and Zumodrive. Look here for more info. http://www.optimusinfo.com/blog/2010/09/13/cloud-storage-solutions-for-students.html

Good luck!

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

A huge thank you to everyone who commented with good vibes or advice.

[veryclevername.livejournal.com]

I don't know if the fact that it's your final semester changes things, but in the past when outside circumstances have interfered, I have had professors willing to work with me on due dates for final projects.

[lastingdreams8.livejournal.com]

I second those previous comments. Perhaps there is someone in another department willing to look at your harddrive for free too?
I shall send positive vibes your way *hugs*

[ambergold.livejournal.com]

aw, honey, I'm so sorry!! it sounds like your best bet is to recover them off the flashdrive (since you need them now and retaking the semester would cost WAY more than getting it fixed). Maybe you can borrow $20 bucks or so each from a handful of good friends and cover at least part of the cost?

[lightsjustright.livejournal.com]

Hang in there! I wouldn't hesitate to contact your subject co-ordinator to at least let them know what's going on and maybe sort something out, especially since it's also a financial issue. Better soon than later in any case.

[isanah.livejournal.com]

I think everyone's given good advice so far, so I'll just send good vibes your way!

[singing-tree.livejournal.com]

Ditto here, don't hesitate to tell them what's going on. This is just something that's out of your hands, I'm sure something can be done if you explain it.
I hope it turns out okay!