thinkpad blues

I have been having problems with my laptop for over a year now. It started with moving into my current home in September 2007 and not being able to connect to the internet. Despite several lengthy calls to tech support, who could not operate beyond the very basic protocol on the page of the book in front of them, I was not able to figure out what settings needed to be changed to get a connection, although I could easily see that my computer was detecting a very strong signal. At least it worked at a few coffeeshops, but not at home.

Then, last November or so, my LCD began to dim. I was told by Circuit City professionals this was a sign that the end was near. Fortunately, I bought an external hard drive and copied everything over. So, at least I was saved the tragedy of losing everything.

Then, in January, a friend of mine with mack-daddy soldering skills took apart the monitor and checked out the insides. He thought it needed a new light, which I purchased online. But in May, when I took it with me to Little Rock to visit my friend (whose husband has four generations of thinkpads going back to 2002), I was told it was not the light but the flexible cable that bends when you open the computer. I thought I might be able to replace that part too, but then another problem cropped up around the same time that seems to be some kind of virus or something messing with the BIOS.

This BIOS issue started demanding that I reset the date and time and so forth every time I turned on the computer. More recently, it became impossible to even log onto the computer. I don't know where that virus came from. I did not seem to have a virus when I first got the computer in April 2006. I got anti-viral software (Antivirus XP 2008) in August, but that almost seemed to make it worse.

So, I spent $400 on this laptop and really only had reliable use of it for about a year and and four months. I am accepting defeat and that I need to get another computer, but I don't have the money for it. I am going to have to break down and charge it. Which makes me wonder, should I buy something refurbished through a reliable connection I have at work, or go all out and get new iMac or something. I am told either way, don't expect it to last more than three years. I realize that this came from the mouth of someone who is used to replacing her computer and car when it is simply out of date, not the fastest connection or best ride. Not me. I use things till they are unususable. My car is a reliable 1993 Mazda Protege, remember? It is not a choice, but it happens to be the more eco-friendly thing to do anyway. So, whatever I get, I want it to last for as long as it can. Certainly longer than what I got out of the thinkpad, which I really liked. Any suggestions?