hannah | It's not a total loss. The "D" key still works.

So my computer's functional. It's not working right - no desktop icons, no navigation bar, no sound - but it's working enough for me to surf the Internet and compose documents, which means two of the three things I need it to do are intact. All right then.

I took it to the Best Buy five blocks away and the problem is that some of the navigation software was removed. I have no idea how or why, and I can create any number of scenarios ranging from "overzealous anti-virus software" to "backwards compatible alien tech" to "Aquaman's elaborate revenge on the surface dwellers." I do know that if I pay them enough, they can keep it in their store from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning, back up my data onto my external hard drive, and then give it back to me. I might go for that one, since I'm at a loss for how else to get back to ideal functionality.

And if anyone knows the reference in the subject line, consider it good for fifteen brownie points and a free ice cream cone.