Re: I've been fried by my laptop - help needed!

Hi again, Svetaswan,
 
Sorry, I am only able to be online very sporatically, at the moment, due tofamily concerns. 
 
You write:
I must admit that I find parts of your post interesting - such as your detailed account of your positive experience with Dell. Ah, well - I guess it'sinevitable that there will be widely differing opinions/experience s regarding various brands/models of computers. Just when a "shadow" of doubt getscast toward Dell by a couple of posts - I guess it only makes sense that apositive account of Dell will follow.
 
Reply:
Well, you must understand that I was NOT saying Dell computers do not have emf issues, I was just pointing out that Dell, at least, has provided some help to try to remediate this.  (Or at least they did 3 1/2 yearsago when I bought mine.)  I just found this a pleasant alternative tobeing given the brush off by Toshiba, whose computers were every bit as bad at the time.

You write:
So you believe that sticking with an older-model laptop would be better? I was thinking (or hoping) that having a newer laptop would be advantageous -because laptop technology might have "evolved" to the point where there ismore skill and efficiency involoved in the laptop manufacturing process....
 
Reply:
Well, while there might be a few small computer companies thinking about the emf issue, I doubt the main name brands are going there, tho I did hear "rumblings and grumblings" among the Dell techies who were trying to point out to the "research and development crew" of Dell that they needed to startaddressing this.  (I doubt they have, but who knows.)  But to answer your question, yes, I think older laptops are probably better, emf-wise.  Since you have a Dell, tho, have you tried contacting them for help or is your warranty expired? 

If looking for an older model, you would have need to go to a model prior to wireless cards.  You wouldn't want to buy anything online with an older computer--no up-to-date privacy software available, but you could use your newer computer for that.  You will get less "fry" the more often you use an older computer.  But I am talking vintage here--Windows98 or possibly 2000 and I am basing that on MY old computer, which might have been an anomaly.  However, I have also read that older computers are safer for people with EMS.  I believe that the book, "Powerwatch" (sorry I don't remember the author) mentioned this as a way to go.
 
You write:
But giving up WiFi would be a tough challenge, to say the least! I just don't see how it would be practical - given my small house, limited space, etc., to actually be burdened with a wired Internet connection. I could be wrong, but it has been my "hunch" that the wireless signals don't really bother me: I mean, if I didn't use this computer, and just sat around the house all day, I don't think I would "feel" the wireless signals that are permeating throughout the house. I do realize that the WiFi technology attached tothe computer itself, though - could be a different story.
 
Reply:
I think you are in that addictively deluded state.  ;) Seriously, I think it is much more likely that the wireless is causing your problem!  However, that is not to say that wireless is the only bad change made to computers in recent years. 

You write:
With the laptop I'm using now - the internal WiFi card was somehow turned off or removed altogether, which forces us to use a USB wireless adapter. This adapter is plugged into a USB slot on the back of the computer. Is this arrangement better than an internal WiFi card? (I really would like to knowthe answer to this, so if anyone knows, I'd appreciate a response.)

Reply:
No, my understanding is many ESers react to the USB hubs, as well. In fact, it might be worse, not better, but I am not technically trained enough to know for sure. The hubs, if I understand correctly, send signals thru out your home, so it is like having a mini wireless tower in your house, I would think. (What I mean is, they usually have a broadcast radius, don't they? Asking this of others here at the forum.)
 
You write:
My worsening computer addiction has really been sabotaging these efforts, though - I haven't walked regularly for months, and things have gotten to the point where I'm not even motivated to eat regular meals, or even adequately hydrate myself.
 
Reply:
Seriously, you need to kick the habit!  You are physically and psychologically at risk in your present state.  Some people are drug addicts, alcohol addicts, some food addicts, some are computer addicts...  not judging between them here; they are all bad.  And as you allow yourself to go there, you will only go further downhill, till you have no life.  Get out of this situation while you still remember what you had before. Addiction to the computer is no laughing matter. I have jokedwith you about this previously, but what you are saying here is a classic addiction warning.
 
You write:
For months, I've been taking very slow steps toward my goal of amalgam replacement; trying to educate myself, taking lab tests, etc. But in recent weeks/months, something has really sapped my motivation in this area - and I think being "nuked" by these EMFs
 
Reply:
It is a good idea to really educate yourself in the area of amalgam removal--it can go bad if not done correctly. 
 
You write:
There is a possibility that there are some brands/models of laptops out there that wouldn't give me as severe of a problem as I'm having with this Dell.

Reply:
None that I am aware of.
 
My best wishes; hoping you will kick the habit,
Diane
 

--- On Thu, 1/14/10, svetaswan <[hidden email]> wrote:


From: svetaswan <[hidden email]>
Subject: [eSens] Re: I've been fried by my laptop - help needed!
To: [hidden email]
Date: Thursday, January 1

So you believe that sticking with an older-model laptop would be better? I was thinking (or hoping) that having a newer laptop would be advantageous -because laptop technology might have "evolved" to the point where there ismore skill and efficiency involoved in the laptop manufacturing process....which would translate to less EMF "leakage". Besides, there are more obvious advantages to buying a new model - such as the product actually being under warranty, and being able to successfully browse sites that use the latest technology. (For ex., the videos on nfl.com don't play smoothly for me -I guess my laptop doesn't have up-to-date enough hardware/software to be able to view those
videos.)

Other than that - my computing needs are pretty simple - just browsing, posting on messageboards, watching YouTube videos, buying stuff online - and maybe the occassional downloading of audio or video. I really don't need allof the gizmos that, say, an Apple MacBook Pro offers.

But giving up WiFi would be a tough challenge, to say the least! I just don't see how it would be practical - given my small house, limited space, etc., to actually be burdened with a wired Internet connection. I could be wrong, but it has been my "hunch" that the wireless signals don't really bother me: I mean, if I didn't use this computer, and just sat around the house all day, I don't think I would "feel" the wireless signals that are permeating throughout the house. I do realize that the WiFi technology attached tothe computer itself, though - could be a different story.

With the laptop I'm using now - the internal WiFi card was somehow turned
off or removed altogether, which forces us to use a USB wireless adapter. This adapter is plugged into a USB slot on the back of the computer. Is this arrangement better than an internal WiFi card? (I really would like to know the answer to this, so if anyone knows, I'd appreciate a response.)

And believe me - I'm pretty health-conscious - and effort that I've really "stepped up" over the past 3-4 years. I try to stay away from fast food as much as I can, I buy a lot of stuff organic - I've been taking supplements,etc. At the time I started experiencing these laptop EMF problems - I had a pretty conscientious habit of taking brisk walks around my neighborhood at least 3 days per week. My worsening computer addiction has really been sabotaging these efforts, though - I haven't walked regularly for months, andthings have gotten to the point where I'm not even motivated to eat regular meals, or even adequately hydrate myself. (Therefore, I haven't
been taking as many supplements as I "should".) And I feel like whatever health "gains" I've experienced by eating healthier and taking supplements have been more than undermined by my time spent in front of this "noxious" computer. So whatever nutrition would ordinarily go toward improving or enhancing my health - has just gone toward fighting a losing battle against thepoisonous EMF of this laptop.

And I'm very much aware of the dental amalgam issue - I have been for many months (even before I became increasingly aware/affected by this EMF problem). For months, I've been taking very slow steps toward my goal of amalgam replacement; trying to educate myself, taking lab tests, etc. But in recentweeks/months, something has really sapped my motivation in this area - andI think being "nuked" by these EMFs may be one possible cause of my lowered motivation.

Sorry so long - I just wanted to clarify that my health awareness, and
health/nutritional habits - are not as bad as one would assume. I haven't been sitting in front of this laptop eating McDonalds for the past two years - far from it. I've consumed way more frozen dinners from Whole Foods these past few years than I have Burger King dinners. ;) I've consumed more celery, raw "baby romaine", and other veggies than you may think. And for themost part, I've been taking my share of supplements (right now, I'm striving to take at least 4,000mg of Vitamin C per day, for ex.).

All of this said - while I realize that my personal habits and health status are influential factors....the brand/type of computer I'm using could be a factor as well. There is a possibility that there are some brands/models of laptops out there that wouldn't give me as severe of a problem as I'm having with this Dell.

~Svetaswan

--- In eSens@yahoogroups. com, Evie <evie15422@. ..> wrote:
>
> Hi, Svetaswan,
>  
> Sorry you are not able to continue feeding your addiction as you have wished.  ;)  j/k  You are alarming honest.  That is rather novel!  So what you lack in resolve, you certainly make up for in honesty.  ;) 
>  
> To your question....  I disagree with what was said in a recent post about Toshiba laptops being good ES-wise and Dells being the worst.  That certainly was not my personal experience.  I bought a Toshiba, couldn't tolerate it; called the tech support for help and they could not give me any.  ANY!  They told me they recommended I return it and lose the restocking fee. No help at all.  THEN I bought a Dell laptop.  I ordered an Inspiron Core
Duo.  I thought perhaps having the dual hard-drive might work to my benefit and it has.  I also recommend ordering your laptop without a wifi card, if you can (and really want to--if you are addicted you may find wifi to be impossible to live without, but please, please, please realize you will probably just continue to get worse if you use wifi right now.)  Wifi and broadband cards cannot be turned off, as the switches that laptops have now suggest.  This only just muffles the wifi signal to some
> extent. 
>  
> Anyway.... back to Dell computers.  I initially reacted badly to my new Dell laptop (now 3 yo), so I called Dell tech support.  For 30 days, almost everyday, a Dell techie worked with me for 2 to 4 plus hours to remediate emfs coming from my laptop.  We went systematically over the entire computer, seeing if I could see a difference with any of the
settings, they talked me thru pulling out a couple of cards which I did not need, we went into the bios and made changes, changed hardware device settings.... .  Dell gives you 30 days free software support and 1 yr free hardware support.  This was all free!  Well, I should say at THAT time, it was all free--I don't know if that is still the case.  If you buy a Dell now from www.QVC.com you have a 30 day, no questions asked, full-price return warranty with a software and hardware warranty, I do know that.  (But I bought mine from Dell directly at the time.) 
>  
> The last night as I was ready to hang up the phone, the last techie who worked with me was so sweet--told me he really hated seeing me go and hoped it would all work out for me.  Compare THAT to Toshiba!  Now, I was still having some problems with my laptop at that point, butby a month later I had worked the rest out
on my own.  I do think possibly the remaining problem was mostly out-gassing (and I am chemically sensitive, too.)  Also, Stewart here on this forum mentioned that laptop plugs are directional- -the plug has to go in a particular side up.  So Itried that and he was right.  I put some nail polish on the topside and have been okay with that ever since.  Also, it is not quite the case that EVERYthing is now fine--I continued reacting to down and uploading and streaming video, but I walk out of the room during the former and avoid sites with streaming video, so my computer is fine for me now.  Also, after detoxing via homeopathy and
> various supplements, I do well now even when performing those functions.  (I own a Quantum Pro, as well, but do notuse it at the house where my computer is currently--long story.  I use no emf remediation devices at all
on my laptop.)  Btw, do not use your laptop on your lap, if you are currently doing that--at least put it on a non-conductive surface in front of you, not on you.  You don't need to drink in all of those frequencies.  Also, you might try spending a little of your addicted time going out in nature.  To a river side, lake, forest, a large park, lots of trees, lots of fresh air, lotsof water....  The more you do this, the more likely you will beable to tolerate emfs.  Just don't take your laptop with you!  That would defeat the purpose and it ruins nature for the restof us .
>  
> Also, if you could get an old laptop--like one from before all the high speed and wifi gismos--a Windows 98 or 2000 system, for instance, it might work for you.  The USB port quit working on my old Micron 266 mHz laptop but if I could still connect it to my DSL box, I'd be
using it--it ran faster than most new computers on DSL.  The only drawback here is you cannot get software, like anti-virus, for an old puter like that.  So don't do your banking on it.  ;)
>  
> This said, Svetaswan, you really ought to be asking yourself why you are getting ill.  Lots of people use computers for many hours a day,what makes you so special?  j/k  Do you have metal fillings, a history of toxic events, live in an apartment setting, a wifi community, are you otherwise immune compromised? ??  If you answeryes to any of these questions, you should probably be spending some of your addiction time working on how you are going to remediate the source of your problem.
>  
> Happy computing!  I wish you well,
> Diane

>
>












     

> But to answer your question, yes, I think older laptops are probably better,
> emf-wise. 

Well, maybe... I know that we had an old Dell laptop from around 1999 that
I found completely intolerable even as of year. Meanwhile, we have an IBM
laptop from a few years ago that is quite tolerable. So older is not
necessarily better.

Marc