• Often times when laptops are dropped the hard drives are jarred destroying the ability to access the information on it. It’s very important to 1) have a good backup 2) have a good tech and 3) encrypt your data – especially those of us who have portable devices such as laptops and thumb/USB drives.

• Almost all laptops have an additional plug in the back for an external monitor. If you don’t have a monitor, most new TV’s will work (which BTW is a great way of showing family pictures from your computer).

• Most laptops have a “Function key” usually marked “Fn” which is usually located near the left of the space bar. Notice the color, now look on your keyboard for a key with the same color and a picture of 2 boxes or a “crt/lcd” (usually it’s located on one of the number keys). Hold the function key down and tap that key. Although not portable, it will give you access to your system until you can get it repaired.

John brought up one final point that put everything in perspective: “In the big picture, be glad it’s only the computer that got hurt and you’re okay.” And that ended my pity party.