So the hard disk in my notebook died. After filling out requests and getting approvals and all that just to get the thing replaced, here we are two weeks later. The final verdict? IT no longer supports the particular notebook, thus they have no canned disk images with the appropriate licenses. Thus they cannot preload my hard disk.

Of course, they can't just send me a new disk either. I would not be able to load it with any software, because I'm a 'Non-IT-Employee'. So I guess the solution is to throw this perfectly good notebook away and request a new one. One that is supported. One with a hard disk that functions.

By the way, the replacement drive was going to cost a mere $130, a fraction of the price of a new notebook. After a morning of considering my options, I decided to check the hard disk manufacturer. They had a cool place where you could enter your serial number and it tells you when your warranty expired. I carefully typed in the nonsensical array of letters and digits and took a deep breath before clicking the submit button.

Amazing - my warranty is good until October, 2007. Getting a new disk is as easy as requesting an RMA, and returning the drive in an approved shipping container. No, of course I don't have any approved shipping containers. Yes, it is important. Using a non-approved shipping container automatically invalidates the warranty. However, there is a company that sells approved containers for a mere $10.00 plus $6.95 shipping. I placed the order a few hours ago.

So, a few moments ago, my email coughed up a UPS tracking number for my order. Right now it is in Oklahoma City (yup, up North with the Jack). And over the course of the next several days, I can track my special shipment until it arrives. That is correct, I can use the internet to keep very close tabs on the empty box I ordered. It will be so exciting when it arrives...I can open it up and there will be absolutely nothing inside. Then I can put my dear little hard disk into this box, as if it were a coffin, and send it off in one of the brown UPS hearses.

Then, a few days later, I should receive a replacement hard disk. One that I'm not authorized to install, format, load or utilize. I wonder what I'll do with it.