Wednesday, April 14, 2010

My Dell Computer Is Sick

HELP!

My computer is SICK!

Sorry.

I’m still in shock over what happened last night.

Would you like to know what happened last night?

Well, Windows Update popped on saying that I had to download stuff. Fine. I trust Windows Update. Why shouldn’t I trust Windows Update? Plus I have McAfee. I PAY for McAfee even though I know there is a plethora of free anti-virus sites. I PAY for McAfee to catch viruses.

Anyhow, Windows Update downloaded their stuff. I don’t even know what they download half the time. I trust Windows Update. I need to learn how to speak computer, I know. Because most of the time I’m sort of sitting there nodding, thinking that I know exactly what is going on with the computer but in reality I’m all, “Motherboard what?”

I restarted the computer because Windows Update said that I had to. I listened to Windows Update.

But then.

THEN the computer wouldn’t turn back on.

It kept making this horrible whirling sound.

“Oh no,” I wailed. “Oh NO!” Then I ran upstairs and threw open our bedroom door. Tom had just gone to bed and wasn’t pleased when I went, “Tom, I need HELP, the computer is SICK and I don’t know what to dooooo!” I was whining. I admit that now. But you have to understand, the computer is like…a part of me. Without it, I’m empty. The people who go without electronics are like modern days heroes in my eyes.

“What?” Tom grumbled, not budging. Did he not understand THAT THE COMPUTER WAS NOT WORKING?

“The computer won’t turn on!” I shouted. I was close to tears. Mainly because I had a bunch of pictures that I hadn’t saved. And a completed novel that I HADN’T SAVED! I mean, okay, I had saved it but it was the rough draft. I hadn’t saved all those revisions I had done. Stupid, I know. I mean, I have a portable hard drive to SAVE crap. And I didn’t.

“Calm down,” Tom said. He sounded annoyed as he pushed the covers off of him. He was not acting comforting at all. He stomped past me down the stairs and marched to the computer.

“Do you hear that horrible whirling sound? What is it? Is the computer dead? I am not having a good night, Tom. I have no idea what in the HELL is going on with Lost and now this. I swear I didn’t do anything wrong I just downloaded Windows Update and I—”

“Shhh,” Tom cut me off, holding up a hand.

Normally I’d be insulted that he was shushing me. I mean, hello, rude. But now I kept quiet as he peered at the computer. I did not like the expression on his face as he unplugged and replugged it in. The same whirling sound came on each time.

“What did you do?” he mumbled. Then he looked at me. “What did you do?”

“NOTHING!” I screeched.

I had to call Dell. It was our only hope.

A man named Nadiste/Nads/Nadistoo picked up on Dell’s end.

“How can I help you?” he wondered pleasantly.

I may have been overdramatic when I went, “My computer is SICK and I don’t know what to DO!”

Nadiste/Nads/Nadistoo tried his best to help me.

But the computer refused to work.

In the end it was found out that it was our motherboard/video card that appears to be dead. Nadiste/Nads/Nadistoo said that the Windows Updates might have been incompatible with the video card seeing as the video card is from 2007. This means I’m upset with Windows Update because they should WARN people about that.

Someone is supposed to call us to set up an appointment for a technician to come out. I’m told that everything will be okay but I’m still on edge. What if it’s not? MY PICTURES! MY NOVEL! MY MUSIC FROM ITUNES!

I’m on our old laptop now. And by old I mean OLD. It could die any second. It reminds me of that old laptop that Chandler Bing pulled out during an episode of Friends. You know, the episode where he’s chatting with Janice? I do have Pepto, my trusty tiny pink laptop but it tends to get pissy when I go to certain sites. And Tom has his brand new TWO THOUSAND DOLLAR laptop but he's rudely not sharing.

So forgive me if I don’t comment a lot. This thing runs pretty slow. I’m hoping (HOPING) that our computer is up and running next week. If I have to call Dell and burst into tears then so be it.

Please, for the love of chocolate PLEASE.

71 comments:

  1. You poor thing!!! I NEVER update anything I don't absolutely have to. The updates ALWAYS screw stuff up!!!

    Hugs! Here's some chocolate too. I would die without my computer so you are soooo not alone!

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  2. I had to stop my computer from doing the windows updates because it was comepletly screwing with it and making things not work anymore.

    Hope it is up and running soon!

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  3. Ouch! Dont worry if you cant get it fixed. Just take the hard drive into a comp shop and they can pull everything off for you and put it on a disk.

    It is scary when this happens. We are all pretty dependant on our machines!

    Shane
    www.calgarydaddy.com

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  4. umm yeah. dell. tears. I have done that. and without saying YOU should do that let me just say that Hooked on Phonics worked for me! lol I just called talk to my name is rajit but you can call me austin and told him how I am stay at home mom and this is my only contact with the outside world and family far away and I cant believe you dont have better customer service than this. just forget it. I will NOT be buying a dell again. but then Rajit you can call me Austin told me to hang on a minute and talked with his "manager" who said they could help me. and help me fast. of cours since they "helped me" the buttons on the console dont work and the console is popping up every time I open laptop. but the net works so I try not to worry too much lol

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  5. Yucky and sorry.

    We have a bot or something silly like that on my husband's computer that forces me to call them weekly to turn the service back on. It sucks.

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  6. If I tell you a "FREE" fix to it...will you send me cash $$$$ under the table?????

    Oh, well I'll tell ya anyhow....just remember who told ya the secret...tehehehe

    I just fixed mine last night(since the teenage son downloaded a ton of virus from fb)..KILL KILL KILL

    You can call Microsoft and they will fix it for FREE!!!! Here's the number...write it down and don't lose it 800-936-5700!!!

    I had to wait on hold for about 35 mins but then it only took the 20 min. to clear everything and get me up and running fast. And since they work for Microsoft you can trust them!

    Let me know how it goes....GOOD LUCK!

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  7. Don't you just love those people they have in customer service that barely speak English?

    If what you are saying is true about the video driver, the computer should start up in "safe mode" (press F8 repeatedly while booting) and then uninstall the video driver.

    Hope your computer is out of the hospital ward soon.

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  8. sick computers are worse than sick kids. kids whine but the computer is more like a life support system. Good luck, looks like there are some great hints here.

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  9. How totally stinky! I can sympathize totally-- we had internet problems a week or so ago, needed a new router and modem... I was beside myself, and didn't even have to worry about your issues of losing data...

    hang in there, kiddo-- your friends are pulling for you!

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  10. Computer issues SUCK! I hope its up and running soon too.

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  11. Oh dear, I am so sorry. This makes me so glad my husband is in IT, so we don't have to call anyone. However, we lost a ton of stuff once (ahem, um, possibly my fault) and it was terrible. Stay strong. Strong.

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  12. How sad for you! I hate those update things too--they always seem to goof things up. I updated my Flip software and ever since it won't even open now. At least everything else though is working. Sure hope you can get this fixed.

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  13. oh no...

    i totally feel your PAIN..

    really hope it all gets fixed for you.. correctly!

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  14. Hope it's a speedy recovery. I hate it when computers get sick...turns the whole household upside down!

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  15. I'm a computer tech. That's what I do for a living. SO...first, don't panic. If it's truely the video card and/or motherboard all your things are safe and sound. No need to worry. If you have a seperate video card, you can take it out and try to turn the computer back on if there is a video plug in on the motherboard. Does anything come on the screen at all? Feel free to email me and I'll give you what assistance I can without acutally being there. Bottom line is, don't panic! Your pictures and novel are safe.

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  16. Oh...and, you can tell Microsoft/Windows update not to install device drivers. It's usually best to do that. I only install new drivers if there is a problem with a specific device or if there is some new funcionality that I want.

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  17. It feels like a left arm is missing when my computer isn't working.

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  18. The same thing happened to my desktop computer in Feb! Right after the windows update the entire thing died!! My husband is so sick of windows that he switched that computer to run on ubuntu instead of windows. All of my files were safe thankfully! And the computer runs better than ever! Except it can't run windows programs haha! :)

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  19. I'm in IT, and I let those Windows updates run too. And every once in a while it causes problems. Yes, thanks Microsoft. (maybe I should switch to Apple)

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  20. You scared me for a minute there. I just downloaded a Windows update this morning, but my computer's new so the motherboard/video card/whatever thingy should be new enough. I'd crap if this computer died. We just got it because one ginormous virus/worm/whatever thingy killed the old one.

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  21. I live in complete fear of my computer dying. Email yourself your novel...that way you can access it from any computer. And I just leave photos on the memory cards instead of deleting them. I don't mind buying new cards and then I always have the original pics.

    One day last week we had a power surge and my computer started making a horrible sound when I turned it on and said the fan was broken. But a few hours later I tried again and it was fine. I'm afraid to shut it off again...

    Total sympathy and hugs and chocolate to you...
    ♥Spot

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  22. You poor thing! This is one of the reasons my husband won't allow Windows on any of our computers. You should flutter your eyelashes at Tom and remind him that what's his is yours. Y'know, that whole marriage = equal partnership thing? That means equal access to the nice computer.

    Good luck with the updates!

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  23. A moment of silence is in order...........and done. Hope you are back up soon!

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  24. I TOTALLY feel for you. My computer and I are fighting this week too. I hope everything works out well for you!

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  25. I've had that happen to me before, it was a pain in the butt, but I fixed it myself. I turned off automatic updates after that.

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  26. You poor thing! I go crazy with out my computer. Luckily I use the desktop most of the time, so it saves my laptop some abuse. Then we always have a back up! :)

    Good luck girlie!

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  27. I got a bad virus that ate everything. Fortunately, Alex is a genius and was able to get stuff off my hard drive. (Okay, he's not a genius, but he is damned good with computers). Still, he said "How did you get this virus?" Shit, Amber, did the think it was something like a venereal disease?

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  28. Oh no! That would be my worst nightmare as I have no backup of all the photos etc on our computer either. I am sure the technician can sort it out - you could also get the Geek Squad in or if your computer is portable take it to one of their centers. If the hard drive has not been corrupted they will at the very least be able to recover all your data.

    Just thought I'd mention that although you pay for McAfee it is not the best virus checker out there and I know a few people who've had things get onto their computers undetected. My husband is in IT and he and all his colleages use Norton antivirus which is free and supposedly more dependable.

    Fingers crossed for you it all gets fixed!

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  29. Hmmm... the same thing happened to me a few months ago during crucial thesis writing time. It was a huge pain in the you-know-what, but my computer is back... for now.

    http://oneblondegirl.blogspot.com/2010/02/im-infected.html

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  30. oh no! I keep getting that pop up window too, but just close it down.
    Thanks for the warning!!

    Good luck with the computer and finidng your novel and things!

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  31. Oh NO! I hope Dell gets there QUICK! I hate to be without my computers

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  32. Oh, dear. I feel your pain. I turned off my computer updates within a few days of getting my new HP for Christmas because it was making it run like sh*t. I had to go back and do a system restore from an earlier date and everything.

    So sorry. Especially about the losing stuff. Sucks big time.

    Here's hoping Dell gets it fixed.

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  33. I feel for you! I have a Dell and their power cord stopped working about a year after getting the computer and I had NO access to my laptop for TWO AND A HALF days *sob* until the replacement from Dell showed up! I still have nightmares.

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  34. Our motherboard died a few months back.... most horrible two days of my life, you're right. :)

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  35. Oh No! I'm so sorry! I can relate, I'm on the road and I do not own a laptop, I opted for an imac.. I'm losing my marbles withou a computer..

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  36. Oh, I hope that never happens to me. That scares me.

    Do you think you know what caused it? And I love that naddo/nasty/nudista name thing...funny. :)

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  37. This happened to me last week (on my dell inspiron), so I feel your pain. Except my harddrive went too. Pictures? gone. Assignments? gone. Ebooks? gone. My precious laptop? stuck at the computer guys house until he finds me some cheap parts to fix it. For now I am stuck on an ancient laptop, that takes10 minutes to laod a page. Oh how I feel your pain.

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  38. Windows has done that to me too! Now I have to approve the update and let me tell you - NONE of them get applied!

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  39. My sincerest condolences in your time of loss.

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  40. There's a clever virus going around imitating a Windows update...the damn thing screwed up my PC twice. And although I've had it removed twice, it's never been the same. I got a new laptop and installed a different anti-virus. I'd love to strangle the people who dream up viruses and spread them around...what kind of freaking people DO that?

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  41. Well, shoot. Now I feel honored to have garnered a comment! I know that fear of a sick computer! STUPID UPDATES. And their STUPID, shiny, all-knowing "do you want to update now?" questions! As though you WOULDN'T want to update? As though you don't want the most up-to-date stuff?

    Hoping that it goes quickly for you. And that your brilliant novel is safe...

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  42. Hi,
    I had a sick computer several weeks ago. I suddenly got a message that my computer was infected with a trojan horse virus, and it was telling me that I needed to download a program to clean up the virus. It so happened it was a "phishing" program and when I tried to close the request, it wouldn't do it. I called the computer place (where they do repair on 'puters) and had to take it in to have it cleaned off. The guys there told me that if that happened again, to immediately release the mouse and to physically turn off the computer and it would clear off.
    Hope that helps anyone reading this.
    Ruby

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  43. Good luck! I hope everything is salvageable. I rarely back my stuff up too, I need to get better about that. You sound like you could use some of the new pretzel M&M's that Wal-Mart has :)

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  44. Take two Macs and comment in the morning!

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  45. OH NOES! A WEEK!?? HOW CAN THEY EXPECT YOU TO LIVE A WEEK WITHOUT YOUR COMPUTER!??
    I'm so sorry this happened to you *hugs* Hang in there, it will be okay. It HAS to be. . .

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  46. I would be so lost without my laptop! Hubby just bought me one for my BD and I am on it ALOT! I have backups here but I don't want my little baby getting sick! Hopefully you can get the doctor to fix it soon! Hang in there girl!

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  47. Hi there - I have an award for you over at my blog to hopefully bring some much needed cheer to your day

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  48. LOL I'm so sorry about your computer - I know how bad that can be when it starts acting up - especially when you did what Windows TOLD you to do! I download things like that all the time because it's from Windows! Sheesh! Good luck my friend! :o)

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  49. Oh no. That's terrible. But your post is hilarious. I have to agree with See Mom Smile. Get a Mac. Problem solved.

    Hope it all works out soon. Hugs :)

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  50. Okay. I think we are married to the same guy. I mean, I call mine "David" but other than that? The. Same. And for the record, I don't think you were overdramatic at ALL. I am always having some HUGE MAJOR CATASTROPHE with my new Mac that needs immediate attention. Whether he is sleeping or not.

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  51. Something like that happened to me about 4 weeks ago. I had to start it in something mode and then reset it to a date before the uploads. I think my computer uploaded a virus that caused my computer to crash. However, the reset worked nicely - whatever it is is gone - and no more update clicking!

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  52. I learned this at work, windows update, at least slow down the pc, terribly, never, ever do that again.

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  53. NO WAY! My Dell got sick Friday night. I took it to the geeks on Saturday and they told me that it should be ready in 3 WEEKS! That's way too long. I have a ton of stuff plus I've got a blog to upkeep too. Luckily DH is sharing his laptop but it's OLD and SO SO SO SLOW! Hope yours gets fixed and everything is kept safely in there.

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  54. Oh no! Fingers crossed your computer gets fixed soon and all is safe!

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  55. Let me assure you that you will be sorely missed if you are not around like usual...hope your comp gets fixed soon!

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  56. I read this yesterday and just about had a heart attack. I had just did the update on BOTH of my computers and was reading your post onmy phone and all I could think was OMG I ruined BOTH computers!!! Then I finished reading and saw what happened and I breathed a sigh of relief.

    Poor You!

    There is nothing worse than computer problems.

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  57. what a terrible, frustrating, no good
    computer day!

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  58. Oh no!!! That is an absolute disaster! I hope they fix it soon and all of your stuff is still there! Sending easy fix it-all your stuff still there thoughts your way!!!

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  59. Just wait until you have teenagers...they download things from other planets, I think. I haven't had a properly working computer in I don't know how long!! If I had $2000 I'd buy my own laptop and NEVER SHARE IT WITH ANYONE!!! Hang in there! :)

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  60. That's actually happened to me more than once. It's the worst feeling to think that you've lost EVERYTHING. Hang in there! Hopefully Dell can fix it for you.

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  61. I'm so sorry! What a pain to have it down! My husband is my IT guy around here. My computer sits with the side off ALL the time. It crashed a few months ago and now both harddrives are plugged into it just in case I need something off the old one. Good luck! I hope it gets better soon!

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  62. I hope you'll get everything back to normal soon. About the same happened to our computer just this week AND incidentially it was also after a Windows Update. I wonder what they had to update...

    Have a nice day and thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment!

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  63. I so sorry!!! Fingers crossed for you.

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  64. Yup those windows updates will get you every time. I updated once and lost my sound card and drivers for a year. Then there's the continual-blue-screen-of-death update...now that's fun. Good luck.

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  65. You have my sympathy. I went through a similar trauma with our Dell pc a couple of months ago. It took over a month to get the part.

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  66. I hope it's all better soon!

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  67. Computer issues are a bitch! I feel your pain! I panicked when our old laptop when kaput and I didn't save some pictures to an exterior drive. It turns out just the monitor quit and we can hook the lap top up to our big computer to access the info. Whew! I bought a new lap top so I should be safe, for a few months, anyway.

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  68. I laughed while reading this: "The people who go without electronics are like modern days heroes in my eyes." You remind me of my younger sister the last time her laptop broke down. She also whined about unpredictable things. Haha! Windows Updates can improve one's computer's performance and security, fixing errors or bugs in the system that may cause your computer to crash. Motherboards do have a definite lifespan of around 5 years. though. Upgrading to a new one, every now and then would be helpful in keeping your computer in top form.

    Benita Bolland

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  69. Whoa! What a horrible night that was. I trust you have your laptop fixed now, yes? Anyway, what you did was an honest mistake. I agree with you that Windows update should warn you if the update is not compatible with your video card. But, I guess, next time, it’s best to do research about things like that before you click on anything to prevent it from happening again.  

    Darryl Housand

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  70. It's been 2 years since this scary night has happened. It's not your fault at all. But, you have to calm yourself down in this kind of situation, or else everyone might panic as well. If ever your computer breaks down again, I suggest that you buy a new computer in a whole new package. Buying single parts might cost you to miss out the old/recommended parts that needed to be replaced.

    Lance Vartanian

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