I start looking around for a SATA power cable that I need to not kill myself while connecting everything, find one and look around the store some more. Upon looking at an aisle of tools, I then remember I need a screwdriver for this and other purposes, and grab one. I then realize something: I can probably just disassemble the computer here! I ask the nearest Microcenter rep if they have anti-static packaging, and he directs me to such a treasure. Pick some up, find some other stuff, go check out, acquire PC, wait outside. Mom's okay with waiting for me to disassemble computer and find replacement mobo, hurray.
After disassembling my entire computer, putting parts in anti-static bags and whatnot, all in a parking lot, I take my motherboard back in, get my $80 gift card and find another mobo (this process actually takes like 20 minutes because I'm retarded). Huzzah and candy.
I return home, get all my stuff inside, retreat to my room with a Lunchable, Capri Sun and my gatherings of the day + PC. I put it all out on my bed for lack of a good work table (bow chicka bow wow) and start putting shit in. Mobo goes in without much of a hitch, check. Hard drives, check. RAM, check. Vidja card, check. PSU, check. Get everything connected and all that jazz and put it in its old spot, where I plug in the monitors, power and keyboard and boot 'er up. Turns on, hurray!
It gets to the boot menu. I hit enter for Windows 7...and then it dies. FUCK. First thought, try it again. Dies even faster. FUCK. Go in, check everything. Looks fine. Fuck.
Two hours later, I discover the culprit is the CPU wasn't screwed in tight.
This is why I hate computers. Someone explain to me why I'm a computer scientist?
Oh yeah, because I've been doing it for too long to do anything else.
