I think the home computer may be dead.

I was doing a sweep last night when the power went out for a moment. When it came back on, the computer refused to reboot. Not in normal mode, not in last known configuration that worked, not in safe mode.

Hubs thinks it was a power surge, but the power strip was on. So I don't know what's going on.

Jessica:

Hmmm.

Try going into your internet control panel and changing your default browser to IE, then try downloading a new copy of Firefox if IE works after that.

Maybe Firefox got corrupted? Maybe IE did.

Hmmm

Hubs thinks it was a power surge, but the power strip was on. So I don't know what's going on.

Power strip or surge protector?

Also, try unplugging the power cord from the back of the computer. Also, try bypassing the power strip, if it is a surge protector, it may have given it's life.

FP, when you try to boot it, does it do anything (whir, click, beep, light) and then fail to start up usefully, kind of like the way a car will sometimes try to turn over a little but not make it? Or is it just deader than a doornail?

Try going into your internet control panel and changing your default browser to IE

As embarrassing as this is, I can't find where this is (it doesn't seem to be under "Internet Options" -- it may just not be available on the corporate installation of IE).

I've uninstalled Firefox and deleted the profiles and other extraneous junk. IE still wants to download "loading.html" which it says is a "FIREFOXHTML" type file whenever I try to log into Gmail.

There's a power strip. I think there's a surge protector involved. Unfortunately, I'm not the family tech expert.

It starts to boot up, then goes to a gray screen (much like the DOS entry screen) that offers several options (the ones I mentioned, plus a couple other safe mode options). If I go with any of the options I mentioned, it starts to boot up, then goes to a blue screen that says something similar to "boot overload."

As embarrassing as this is, I can't find where this is (it doesn't seem to be under "Internet Options" -- it may just not be available on the corporate installation of IE).

Huh. What version of Windows are you using? What service pack?

Also, do you have a "Programs" tab in Internet Options? If so, you might be able to check for strange settings there, maybe even manage Add-ons.

Also try checking for Activex controls if you have the "Advanced" tab.

Has this been posted? Go to Apple.com - the "headline" is "Introducing Mac Pro - Quad Xeon 64 bit workstation."

eta:

Dual-Core Intel Xeon Processor

Ushering in a new era of outstanding performance — and completing the Mac transition to Intel processors at the same time — the new Mac Pro introduces the 64-bit Dual-Core Intel Xeon “Woodcrest” processor to the Mac lineup. Running at up to 3GHz, it’s a state-of-the-art processor that — from day one — makes the Mac Pro one of the fastest desktop computers on the planet.

Every Mac Pro in the lineup features two of the newest Dual-Core Intel Xeon processors. Two dual-cores. One powerful quad workstation. And you get to decide how fast it flies: 2GHz, 2.66GHz, or 3GHz. And at 3GHz, the Mac Pro runs up to 2x faster than the Power Mac G5 Quad.

Windows 2000, don't know what service pack (none of that is handled at the individual computer level, so I have no control over it).

The "Reset Web Settings" button under Internet Options is grayed out, and I have no Advanced tab at all. (Corporate installation, whee!)

Leopard (the new version of the Mac OS that comes out next week, IIRC spring) has a time machine:

New in Leopard, Time Machine takes you beyond the backup. An automated system that regularly backs up everything on your Mac — music, photos, movies, documents — Time Machine also takes you back in time to restore your system. Enter Time Machine’s browser and look for files you may have deleted or lost, flip through multiple versions of the same project, or get a snapshot of your entire system from day one.

Cool.

[link]

edit for brainfart....