Technological Frustration

While waiting for my Windows updates (16 new updates currently chugging along) I decided to do some research about blogging. I have been wanting to write a diary, but I keep failing with the upkeep. I thought with a web based journal I would be more inclined to keep it up since I am on the computer all the time. I am keeping my fingers crossed - I am a procrastinator.

Anyway, speaking of failure....
I wanted to capture all the videos on about 20 miniDV cassettes. So I brought this pretty powerful laptop from work (2GB of RAM, T7400 2.16GHzCentrino Core Duo with 75GB SATA hard drive). To make the story short, the IEEE 1394 port would not detect my camera. I have spent several hours on getting the firewire to detect my device and I had also spent some time with the Dell technician. No go... When I get to work on Monday I will check the other laptop that is identical to this one and see if this problem is specific to mine. I am now attempting to use a desktop computer to capture the videos. The new 'victim' is one that I had just rebuilt. This desktop PC is running Window Media Center Edition. And again to make the story short -- more technological frustration! Adobe Premiere Elements is complaining about not being able to load audio drivers and that I must reinstall the application. The reinstall did not work (of course, who said this will be easy?) and forums suggested that it is related to my audio card driver which is the reason for Windows updates. Oops, I better check on my Windows updates....

Alright, I am back. Yet another reboot. The Windows updates did not do a thing. Still, Adobe Premiere refuses to launch! I am pulling my hair now! I downloaded audio drivers from the Dell site and it requires a reboot which I am doing now. I have to run downstairs so I can hit F1 otherwise the computer would not boot. The system fan is the cause of this problem - that's another story.....