How to blow up 2 computers in 2 weeks…(the the ballad of the spare computer)

The reason for this post is to pose a question.

Would it would it be wise to have your software, OS et al as an image, that you add to when you buy something new? Use something like Ubuntu and run Windows as a VM? Keep a backup of the image somewhere like a DVD or such, so that if you happen to have the following occur, you don’t end up wasting half a month getting back to where you started.

It all began some time about a month ago…

So there I was, happily designing away – not thinking much about much (im a designer after all ), and all of a sudden, my computer (12 months old) decides to restart itself. I figure, I must have somehow picked up one of those automagic viruses that does this kind of thing, and cursed my luck.

So I wait for the computer to reboot.

And I wait, and wait, and wait some more. Nothing. As far as the computer is concerned, it’s life ended then and there. Not that I knew any of this. So I decide to try some things…

1. make sure the power is turned on and connected and the circuit breaker hasn’t been triggered – seems fine
2. try restating the computer again.. hmm, the light comes on, but the HDD doesnt make its usual spinning sound
3. bite the bullet and open the hood

Now, at this stage i’d like a disclaimer. While I might not be a mechanic, certainly im NOT completely stupid… or so I thought. So anyway, open up the belly of the beast – no funny smells, stuff spins and whirls when the power is turned on… but still nothing. I try a few more things :

1. Remove some ram – no change
2. swap out HDD – no change
3. replace video card – no change

Then its down to last resort – replace the power supply. Now, you’re probably reading this and thinking, yeah I would do the same. Well… let me give you a bit of free advice, DON’T! Because chances are, the same thing will happen to you. That is, the new power supply will actually work.

Why is this so bad? Well, considering that the old supply had already shorted out the motherboard, by plugging in the new supply you are deliverring an electric shock to a patient standing in a puddle of water!!! No sooner had I flipped the switch then the RAM caught fire, and acrid smoke began to plume up and out into the office. Not nice.

So, my boss being the standup guy he is organises a new computer for me. Very nice. One of those Core Duo’s crapping RAM and generally being a famous machine to work with. OK so far. Loaded up with all the apps, plugged in old HDD for easy access to files (thankfully not lost – even though we use SVN there are always gonna be working files that don’t get versioned), in total a process that takes 5 days (if you include not having a computer for 3).

All’s well in the land of the interactive designer… or so I thought.

Not 2 weeks later, im pressing the SHIFT key in Illustrator (ed – used for dramatic purpose), and WHAM! Oops, I did it again. Exactly the same symptoms. Bastard. At least this time it’s under warranty. But could you believe it?!

Anyway, im rambling. Better get back to it… my second machine comes back from the doctor today, so I only have a few hours left to use this, the mangled remains of my first machine with a new motherboard et al, before I move yet again….

I pose the question to find the answer. How can we minimise these sorts of interruptions – for me it has spelt 2-3 weeks of having to float around the office on other peoples computers. One of my work collegues has already gone down the Ubuntu VM path, but he has to use less OS dependent software than I (read: Adobe). He seems satisfied with the performance though – and IM a big fan of Ubunutu. What do you think?