MacGyver

We picked up a used eMac a while ago as a server for our printers and a place to store files, including my iTunes library - all my music. For a tech-savvy fellow who works in desktop support, backups, servers, hard drives, and opportunities to fiddle with networking are very important. (Backups should be very important to all of us; yes, I know.)

When we obtained this machine, Clinton broke the power button while upgrading the innards, and the replacement cost $8; which was $8 over budget. Two weeks ago he needed to get in again, and was being particularly careful of the fragile connection. No matter; busted power button again. No way to turn on the machine. This time, the part will cost $30, which is too much. So for two weeks I've had no music. I've had a fairly complicated multi-step process to print. Clinton has had no access to his backups, and so he sat down to solve the eMac dilemma last night.

After trolling through the internet for solutions, trying a few that didn't work, and wondering just what to do next, his wife offered an idea. Close the circuit using a bit of wire. Clinton was skeptical, and besides, he doesn't have any wire that size.

I went to the kitchen drawer and stripped the ends off a bread tie. About a minute later, we were pleased to hear the familiar bong of a booting mac.

I out-geeked the geek. Doesn't happen every day, so I have to brag about my computer troubleshooting incident. I think this is a first in our 5 years of acquaintance.

For redemption points, Clint changed some setting so we'll never need the power button - the machine will boot up after a power failure - which means that tripping the switch on the surge protector will turn it on henceforth. Pretty nifty.