Hooboy, what a month......

[Matthew Hunter]

Well, guess what, guys, I'm back! I'm sure you're all wondering where I have been and what I have been doing, but I assure you it hasn't been all that exciting...just an amazing pain in the *****, if you know what I mean. I just now got back on the internet, I had to basically rebuild my computer from the ground up. With the help of a mixed batch of rather rude Dell tech support reps over a phone number that has hour-long hold sessions, I performed what is called a "Debug", which totally erases the hard drive. This was AFTER I tried tons of other methods to get rid of my problems, including having a local repairman take a look at it, and then having to go through the arduous task of getting a new Windows ME restore disk (it oh-so-conveniently had something wrong with it) through the Dell warranty, having it lost in the mail 2, or was it 3, times? I then found that re-installing Windows wouldn't help me after all, and their best guess was either some internal glitch in the system or an undetectable yet destructive virus, we never figured out which. So, in order to get rid of It, I had to erase the hard drive and start over. I also lost all of my files. They told me that if a virus was the culprit, it could very well hide in word or jpg or .mp3 files, and that I should dispose of all files I had during the problem.
I hope you guys are all okay after the events of the past couple of weeks in terms of the nation, I'm just as sick about it as most of you are. I asked Jon to post my comments on it, if you want to read them, scroll down to the thread about the events, I guess. I ought to do a patriotic avatar myself....if I can get the program that does them up and running soon.
By the way, I notice several new boards and features around here that a moderator like me ought to know about....can someone be so kind as to enlighten me? Thanks!
-Matthew Hunter

[Pietro]

Glad to see you back Matthew!
Jon posted alot of stuff that you e-mailed
him, to keep us informed. We really did miss you.
We were really concerened about your computer.
And the picture you posted with Bugs praying for
the people who died in the twin towers is
beautiful!

-Pietro

[Jack]

Welcome back Matthew, we missed you!

By the way, I notice several new boards and features around here that a moderator like me ought to know about....can someone be so kind as to enlighten me? Thanks!
Lot's has happened, so here's just a little sampling...

First of all, I'm sure you will glad to know that no TTTP regulars were killed on that awful Tuesday.

I don't remember if you "left" before the Fun and Games board was added, so I'll start there:"Caption This" threads began to gain popularity again and were sort of taking over the board. Jon then recommended that a new board be made for such things, so Brian added the Termite Terrace: Fun and Games board.

Sveven Dvorking was banned.

Then a new website, "Cartoon Cartoon Fridays: The Fansite" was added to ToonZone, along with a new board, so you should welcome "CartoonFridays," the person who runs the new site.

Brian was fiddling with the boards and decided to put the "Fun and Games" and "What Aired Today?" boards inside the TTTP boards. I don't think there is any new trick to moving posts over to the "WAT?" forum, but I haven't tried yet...


Jack:D

[Jon Cooke]

Welcome back, Matthew! :D :D

I think Jack has covered all the important things you missed while you were away. Glad to hear that your computer is working again. :)


-Jon

[happyheathen]

Originally posted by Matthew Hunter
...just an amazing pain in the *****, if you know what I mean. I just now got back on the internet, I had to basically rebuild my computer from the ground up. With the help of a mixed batch of rather rude Dell tech support reps over a phone number that has hour-long hold sessions...

Welcome back!

re. computer problems - as I advise all - BUILD YOUR OWN!!!

the components can even be found on eBay, and YOU GET A REAL MACHINE!

(store-boughts have 'custom' BIOS chips which will, in general, recoginze only the original processor, hard drive, memory - making upgrades difficult ('gee, I guess you'll just have to buy a new computer if you want more...'))

it takes several hours to figure out the first one - after that, assembly requires about 30-60 minutes

(yes, my neices & nephews all have homebuilts, and all but 1 know how to build them) (and no, I'm not adopting;) )

[BourgeoisBuffoon]

Well...being a little off-topic, we have the new fan-art board coming up, but you probably knew that...:rollseyes:

Anyways, welcome back, sorry about the tech-support, and I know how you feel on a hard drive being erased...though I remember mine was able to be rebuilt a lot sooner than yours, apparently...

[Nelson]

Welcome back home Matthew :)
We were about to put your face on milk cartons, by saying...Have you seen our TTTP Brother ????

We missed you my friend :D :D Glad you're back my bother!!!

[Thad Komorowski]

Yeah, Matt's back! I really hate it how you have to dissappear from the board so much, you've been away more than anyone else! Glad to know our one of our great moderators is back.

-Thad:D

[Rob]

Welcome back! And let that be a lesson to you: Don't take any wooden computers! Or nickles, or something...That just didn't make any sense, did it...

Oh well, glad you're here.

[Joe Tully]

Yes, very nice to see you back, we were starting to wonder what was going on.

After spending 40 mins. of being shuffled around and being put on hold by my cable company earlier this month, I empathize very much with the computer problems. When I had to do that, I played solitare on my computer and surfed the net while I was on hold...though you didn't really have that option. Watched toons, perhaps?

Sorry about losing the files, man. Better luck with this computer.

-Joe

[Matt Yorston]

From one Matthew to another....

WELCOME BACK, MATTHEW!!!!!
:cool:

[PorkyandDaffy]

Welcome back.

[Matthew Hunter]

Same me, same computer, just me without my old files.I just had to uninstall every program and driver and then replace them. Actually, I can probably revive some of the files I had...they are all on disk, everything from important word documents like some college admission essays and stuff to pictures....including an entire clipart project I was planning for my site :< . I just don't want to risk getting whatever that-that- THING was back again! I'll take the stuff to school where they have extrememly good virus protection and print them, then destroy them. Oh, sorry about how I have to disappear a lot, this one was beyond my control, hope you got along without me okay.
-Matthew

[Sogturtle]

Br'er Matthew~

Welcome back to the land of tooning... Am mucho sorry about your compupotato ;) and its viral infection. Believe me I can sympathize, I lost TWO hard-drives in six months. One to a hideous virus, the other through shoddy construction (thanx M*xt*r !!). Am glad you had your stuff backed up, I alas did NOT... Welcome back aboard the U.S.S. Looney Melodie ;)

[The Dork Knight]

WELCOME BACK KOTTER! er..... MATTHEW!

We really missed ya.