Best Ideas, Different Results

Last week, I wrote about upgrading my computer and getting caught up with my friend John. The post concluded with a note that I would be making a few simple changes and all would be well. It has been another week and the planned adjustments did not go as expected.

Shortly after I finished scheduling last week's update, my Dell monitor arrived, along with a new webcam. Dad carefully removed the ASUS screen that John had installed and connected the required cables. Next, the new webcam was unboxed and plugged in. It all sounds good, but this is when the problems started to appear.

Since John originally unboxed the ASUS monitor, it was a struggle for dad to figure out how to get it packed for a return shipment. However, after a few attempts, he nicely figured it out and had it boxed nicely and ready to go. While dad worked on the old screen, I noticed the computer's voice system wasn't working. I could yell at my computer, but it wouldn't respond.

I did some research and soon found that my Mac Mini requires external speakers for voice control to work. Since the ASUS monitor included a webcam, it had a speaker that was picking up my voice. Therefore, I searched and found a speaker to add to my increasingly complicated computer. However, my new camera also wasn't working.

With all the parts and plugs, my Mac Mini ran out of plugins. I knew this would be the case, so John ordered a hub, or extension, to add more plugins. It's the same idea as a plug-in strip, but with computer outlets. After several attempts, it was determined the hub wasn't working correctly and could only take one item at a time. This defeats the purpose of a hub and therefore meant I needed to order more parts.

Webcam takes good pictures

Amazon was prompt in sending the speaker and dad graciously rearranged plugs so it could connect to my computer. The sound coming out of it was great, but despite my best efforts, it didn't solve the voice control issue. My night nurse and I looked further, and the speaker didn't include a microphone. Therefore, rather than trying to order multiple speakers in hopes to get one that worked, I concluded it would be best to go back to the ASUS monitor. Thankfully, UPS hadn't picked it up yet and I cancelled the return.

Tuesday night, after dad went to bed, my night nurse and I unboxed the monitor dad had carefully packed away and put it back on my computer stand. The Dell monitor was then packed up and made ready for return. It took three days for dad to notice the switch and that some of the wires he carefully tied up had been undone.

Now, I wait for the new hub I ordered to arrive. As it currently stands, I can use either the webcam or voice control, not both. This has been quite the learning curve in a few aspects. First, I know better what does and does not work for computer components. Second, I've learned what my quad life helpers can do with electronics and who is willing to help. Hopefully next week will have everything functioning and moving on to different topics.