TRANSLATE

FWT Homepage Translator

Saturday, April 07, 2012

* * * MY COMPUTER INFECTED ! ! ! * * *

*******************************************
*******************************************
Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:

I'm using a public computer to compose this e-mail.

At approximately 0200 Hours this morning, my own Toshiba Satellite notebook computer was infected by a trojan virus, identified as "Trojan=win32/sysdef".

It erased everything in my "Start" menu, erased everything in the "My Documents" folder, erased all of my bookmarked web sites, and blocked my access to my "C" drive.

I still had icons on my Task Bar, and by using my Microsoft Security Essentials anti-virus program, I can still get on the Internet, which is how I was able to learn the identity of this particular virus.

Also, my Screen Saver continues to operate, and items on my Task Bar, Weatherbug and B.O.I.N.C., continue to operate.

But, I can't get into my "C" drive to access any of my programs, not even those programs which are still working.

Further, I can't play any CDs, watch any movies on DVD, or listen to radio, for I used my computer for EVERYTHING, which is why I don't have a CD player, radio, or a DVD player.

I downloaded and ran a Microsoft program for removing the "Trojan=win32/sysdef", and at first, I thought it had removed it.

But, even though Microsoft says the virus was successfully removed, I'm still seeing the effects of it, i.e. my blue screen changing to black, and a whole bunch of repeated fake error messages, plus the virus' fake message offering to scan and fix the hard drive.

It's possible that one of the residents here at the Armed Forces Retirement Home can fix it, according to one of his buddies.

Can it be done?

I won't know until we try.

I reckon that since the damage is already done, that even after the virus is finally removed, I'm going to have to format the hard drive and reinstall my Windows XP operating system.

This morning, we had our National Tartan Day observance in the Community Center Room here at the Armed Forces Retirement Home.

I was Master of Ceremonies, and I recorded as much as I could on my camera, and other guys also recorded video and took still photographs.

However, with my computer on the fritz, there's no way I can  put any video or photographs on my computer, and since I'm using a public computer, I can't install the software that's necessary for transferring video and/or photographs from the camera to the computer.

Thus, there's currently no way of putting the pictures on the Internet for all of you to see.

It's sad, too, for these are some GREAT pictures!

We had bagpipe music from Francis G. Ward, United States Navy (Retired), a resident here at the Home, music from the Father of Waters Pipes and Drum Band, Irish step dancing from the Scoil Rince MacCrossan, and fiddle music from the New Orleans Strathspey and Reel Society.

Our celebration was visited by the Honorable George Schloegel, Mayor of Gulfport, Mississippi, who offered a few words from the podium.

Father Harold Roberts, a retired Episcopalian priest, and former chaplain for the Forty-Eighth Highlanders, conducted a brief "Kirkin' o' the Tartans" service, in which the clans and their tartans were blessed.

Clan Campbell was well represented, and when the conversation turned to "Glencoe" (no, it wasn't I who referred to it), I pointed out that Clan Henderson was there, for our clan served as the official pipers and bodyguard for Clan MacDonald.

We also heard from Randy Seale, representing the Scottish Society of Mobile, Alabama, and from Carl Campbell, President of the Highlands and Islands Association of Celtic Gatherings.

This event was truly special AND historic, for it is the very FIRST time that National Tartan Day has ever been observed anywhere on the entire Gulf Coast.

A few of the guys were interested in the "Order of the Chief" medal that I wore around my neck.

The event was concluded with the pipe and drum band marching through the mess hall, with me marching along with them, for I was wearing full Highland regalia, complete with my military decorations, so everybody wanted to see me and take pictures of me.

After the celebration, everybody else went to chow, and I went to my room, where I took a bunch of pills and hit the sack, for I was in PAIN!

A couple of nights ago, I went to Wal-Mart to get some groceries, and when I got home, I discovered that I no longer had a shillelagh, for I'd left it in the shopping cart in the Wal-Mart parking lot.

That certainly aggravates the pain in my back, for I no longer have that wee bit of support when walking.

I looked on the Internet for shillelaghs, but they are expensive!

Besides, you don't want to buy a shillelagh over the Internet, for you want to physically heft it and examine it before handing over any money.

Well, I don't know what's going to happen next.

Obviously, I can't afford to go purchase a new computer.

I sure hope mine can be fixed, but at the moment, it ain't looking too good.

Gosh, gee whillikers, I sure wish you could see these pictures of our National Tartan Day celebration.

I'm still hurting, but it's not as bad now as it was earlier.

In my "snail" mail today, I received my formal invitation from the United States Navy to attend the commissioning of the USS MISSISSIPPI (SSN-782) in Pascagoula on Saturday 02 June 2012.

I'm permitted four (04) guests.

Would any of you like to go?

I'll be travelling on a bus, driven by the Seabees, and I'll be sitting in a reserved area.

But, even though you're my guest(s), you won't be able to go on the bus with me, nor will you be able to sit with me in the reserved area.

No, none of us will be able to go aboard the USS MISSISSIPPI (SSN-782) for a guided tour.

I reckon the day will be VERY hot and sunny, so be sure and make adequate preparations.

Still, it's a once in a lifetime event, so if you want to go - - - ?

Thank you.
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Gulfport, Mississippi 39507

*******************************************************
*******************************************************