I was doing some computer browsing. I listened to the comforting whir of my computer’s fan. It was quite loud, but I had grown so used to it, I really didn’t notice it at all and if I did, it was in a positive manner. So when it suddenly stopped, a fear set in immediately.
                The screen had gone black. It happened so fast. I have never seen any electronic device turn off as fast as my computer did. I figured, “Calm down, it probably came unplugged and had run out of batteries.” But I knew the plugs were going to be connected. There was something odd about the speed at which it had turned off, and there were no lights on. I checked the plug and all of them were securely connected. So, I tried the power button. Nothing. I held the power button down. Nothing. I didn’t know what to do. How could I solve a computer problem if it wouldn’t even turn on? I was panicked. I love my computer, what would I do without it? All of my photos, games, music, documents, memories gone.

I ran to my mom’s computer. I searched the Internet. Surely someone else would have had this problem and someone would know how to solve it. So, I searched, “my computer just died and won’t turn on.” Naturally I got billions of results, but none of them were my problem. Most people’s computer would make a noise or something when the power button was pressed. But mine did nothing.

I didn’t know what to do. I just kept trying different searches. I looked for hours. After about two hours of searching I found a YouTube video. “What were going to do is called an electrostatic discharge.” The man had a whiney, nasally voice. “First, unplug the computer then take the battery out. Hold the power button down for thirty seconds. More won’t hurt it, do it for at least thirty seconds. Then plug it back in. DO NOT put the battery back in. Then press the power button.”

I ran to the other room. I wasn’t filled with confidence. I had tried lots of things and none had worked. But still there was a glimmer of hope. I unplugged my computer, took out the battery, and held the battery down for well more then the prescribed thirty seconds. Then I plugged it back in. The familiar sound of my computer’s fan filled my ears with joy.