The laptop is not in its first youth, but now, thanks to PC Guru and Trusty Technician Ken, this aging Dell notebook specimen has been renewed and is leading a second life.

There was suspicion that the pink tones and subsequent screen blackouts were probably caused by a CFB backlight that had lost its usefulness. This proved to be the case. A cracked hinge was also noticed and replaced, and the balky on/off switch assembly was reseated.

I was so happy to invest in a so-called “rush fee” to receive expedited service, and on a Saturday, too. I had scarcely returned home before it was time to head back to the Twin Oaks Center to pick up my antique, now in working order and rejuvenated.

This is the third time that I’ve consulted PC Guru, although the first since the move from South Lamar to Twin Oaks at Congress and Oltorf. It’s wonderful that this service is available on Saturdays (from 10 am to 4 pm; call to confirm). I still miss the giant neon-lit Twin Oaks sign, but this little strip center, once at the very edge of Austin city limits, still offers many a useful service, including florist, barber shop, Chinese restaurant, shoe repair, optometrist, electronics shop, thrift store, dry cleaners, and more.