Well, I'm in a bind here. My computer (affectionatly named "Shelia") has had problems with its screen lately, and it's gotten so bad that I don't want to risk using it further as I may kill the screen itself (thereby losing acess to all data, including schoolwork, programs, etc.). As a last ditch effort, I transfered all of my crucial/irreplacable files (my schoolwork, story, and music) to my teacher's 4GB flash drive and gave Shelia to my friend Zack, who is in a computer repair class. Hopefully, she can be fixed, but here are the three options that are likely to happen:

1): The problem with Shelia isn't the LCD (liquid crystal display), but the connector. In this case, repair is easy and I'll be back in buisness in about a week.

2): The problem with Shelia (most likely cause) IS the LCD, and is impossible to repair w/o sending it back to the manufactuers along with sending an obnoxiously large repair bill. My wallet won't allow this, so the two courses of action are either:
a): Jerry-rig a flat screen monitor along with a set of hinges onto Shelia's original screen so that the new screen can flip over the old one and still close the lid while not in use
OR
b): Repair/modification is impossible, new laptop has to be purchased.

The first option requires modifying Shelia herself, and may be quite risky. The payoff here is that I get to keep all of my data. The traditional method means just shelling out cold hard cash for a new unit. Safer, but the cost is out of my wallet and loss of all data. If this is the case, I'm aiming to get an Acer Inspire One, a really good upgrade from my Compaq Presario C500. However, my point is I won't be submitting anything, CGI or otherwise for a while. However, I might be able to maintain contact via the school's computers XD.

Edit: Thursday, March 26th:

Bad news-it's the LCD screen that's out of alignment. The odds of fixing it now with the technology that the computer repair class has at their disposal is slim. I'm now faced with a financial dillema. Either I raise 100 dollars (unlikely) and risk the modification (and possibly wreck the 100 dollar screen in the process), or raise three hundred and twenty-five dollars (virtually impossible) and buy a new laptop. Since I don't have a job, I can't get this kind of money.

My best bet now is to sell most of my other electronics (GBA, DS, XBOX, and PS1) along with their accessories/games online and try to raise enough money to convince my parents to go 50/50 with me to buy a new laptop. However, I need to find a way to sell the four products (with their equipment) for at least $175 in order to get halfway. My mom and dad are already tight on money and they're relunctant to buy more electronical equipment, so this too, is a gamble. Either way, I won't be submitting for a while. Just thought that I'd inform you guys of what's happening.