Broken fan(?), broken email, semi-broken computer
For the past couple days, my computer has been doing something unfortunate: it suddenly powers off. No warning; just suddenly no power.
At first I thought it was something weird about some web page I had open. But tonight, it died when I didn't even have a browser running, just email and DVD Player. I restarted, and tried to launch Mail, and it told me I had to re-import my mailboxes. I told it to go ahead (it said it would take 3 hours), and I settled in to continue my interrupted episode of Gilmore Girls. Ten minutes later, the computer powered off again.
And just as I was about to go Google for ideas about what could be causing it, I remembered: this is how MacBooks react when they overheat.
I can't tell for sure, but I think that the fans aren't working. (I tried smcFanControl, and it tells me the current fan speed is zero.)
I used to deal with this problem temporarily (before I had the fan fixed) by putting ice packs under the computer. But although my hotel room has a refrigerator, it has no freezer. I guess I could try putting the computer in the fridge for a while, though I'm a little hesitant.
At any rate: for the time being, I can't get to my email (except I can sorta kinda get to some of it via bad web interface), and I can't do anything on the computer without the possibility of it suddenly dying.
Looks like there's a conveniently located Apple Store I can take it to tomorrow. But still. Feh.
Anyway, I'll try to figure out a way to get to email and to respond to a couple of time-sensitive messages. But don't know if I'll manage it.
(And in case you're wondering: nope, not an April Fool's joke.)
