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10 January 2007

adventures in feline attempts at wireless networking So, my cat likes to climb on things. She's a cat, that's what they do.[More:]

I was sitting on my bed reading a book and she jumped on my computer. I yelled her name, she gave me the "oh, not a chair? sorry" look and got down, and then... *beep*
"A network cable is unplugged"

See, problem being, I don't have network cables. Wireless. No cables. See the problem?

So, I reboot.
cable unplugged.

I shut down, now nearing panic, and make sure the network card is in the slot. yep.
reboot. same thing.

repeat, oh, twenty or thirty times, in between rounds of attempting to get the d-link software to open (still won't) and hunting for the install disk (God only knows...).
I'm now near tears. (see, this is why I need therapy. my thought at this point was that the card took a dump and I'd be sans internet until Saturday when I could get a new one.) The entire time all I could think was "this is what I get for having d-link, proprietary software doesn't even work."

Then, I figure I'll switch the cards around, since I've got a dial up in there, too.
And it works. But now the dial-up no longer exists. No great loss, I don't even have a landline.


But this leads me to one conclusion...


My fucking cat broke a PCI slot.


And, realizing that, I have a headache and a desire to hide under the covers.

Bonus cat story:
About a week ago at, oh, five am or so, I was blissfully unconscious. Until a loud crash in the living room sent me into a "oh no, we're being robbed" frenzy.
So I jump out of bed, grab my cell phone, and dash into the kitchen (my bedroom's off the kitchen) where I grab the bread knife.

Run into the living room fully expecting to see a friendly neighborhood crackhead loading up our video games and dvds into a pillowcase and determined that, even if I can't stop him, I'll make him bleed for it.

Only to see my cat perched on the now horizontal DVD rack, like a lioness basking on a fresh kill.
My cat recently laid down on my keyboard (she likes to sleep on my wrists, only they weren't there at the time) and proceeded to execute a series of keystrokes that a) selected a large chunk of text in an article I'd been writing, b) deleted that text, c) closed the document.

I came into the room hearing the BEEP BEEP BEEP of the mishmashed keyboard, only to realize what she'd done.

Not sure this will make you feel better, but at least you know it's not just you.
posted by mudpuppie 11 January | 00:24
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't bread knives more of a sawing-type knife than a threatening/stabbing-type?
posted by youngergirl44 11 January | 01:03
I don't know about you, but if someone ran in on me with a "sawing action" weapon, I'd think they were some sick crazy bastard.

Oh and I don't ever let my cats get near my computer. That's what happened to freakazoid ya know.
posted by court siem 11 January | 01:12
I love how cats react to a true accident of their making with such absolute guilt and contrition. However, anything they do on purpose results in that look that says, "What is YOUR problem?"
posted by mischief 11 January | 02:50
I don't understand. Is the computer missing a case? How could a cat damage a PCI slot but not damage the card that was in the slot if the computer has a case protecting it? Even if the cat damaged the card, wouldn't it just damage the little antennae poking out? Caseless computers and kitties really don't mix.
posted by cmonkey 11 January | 03:27
Yeah, I don't really know how a cat could break a pci slot either.

I'm kind of confused. You said you didn't have any wires but you have to have a wired router or something, right? Are you sure there isn't a connection loose or anything?
posted by court siem 11 January | 03:50
My cats aren't allowed near the computer (except their fur, which always finds its way inside, but then there is no case on my PC).

But I'm always catching Bailey on the dining table and when I make her get down she gives me that "Hah! I'm up here all the time when you're out and there's nothing you can do about it" look.

At Christmas someone gave me one of those cat gift packs containing treats and a toy. The toy mouse has disappeared somewhere, probably under a cabinet or something. Normally they're not all that bothered about treats, but they love these and have learned to recognise the pack when it appears and scream for treats.

The other night I'd left their pack of treats on the kitchen counter and got up to find it on the living room floor, with teeth marks in it where they'd tried (and failed) to open it (it's one of those plastic sachets with a press-together seam at the top).

The look of outrage on their faces was priceless. Especially when I put the pack back in their cupboard without giving them a treat (they're not for breakfast!)
posted by essexjan 11 January | 05:21
Did someone mention cats where they're not supposed to be?
≡ Click to see image ≡
posted by mike9322 11 January | 08:16
As regards the cat on computer problem; format and re-install. Or give us some more to go on/take it to AskMe.

As I understand it, the cat jumped onto the base unit (which is probably warm) and there was a beeping sound. Since then you have been getting the 'network cable unplugged' message. This suggests that the wifi card is not being detected and the PC is attempting to access the network via the network card (which has no cable connected).
• try the card in another slot
• check the card appears on the device manager hardware list
• check the wifi icon is in the windows toolbar
• search experts-exchange.com for solutions via google
• there is a chance that the two events may not be causal
• have a bit of fun with the cat instead of the computer

Having co-habited with felines in the past, can I recommend reading a book on understanding cat behaviour? It may detract from general anthropomorphic interaction with the animals, but should help with actually getting to grips with their behaviour and its meaning.

Essentially, domestic cats are perpetual kittens and you are their mother. Which you probably already new. It was very interesting learning their body language for me.
posted by asok 11 January | 08:38
Yep, there's a case on my computer. And the router and modem were fine all the while... my roommate never lost his connection.
And everything is working fine now.
Well, no. my wireless card is working fine now, albeit in a different PCI slot (and yes, they were screwed down). The modem is no longer there, according to device manager, when I put it into the slot where my wireless card used to live.


I have no idea how she did it. I'm honestly not sure I want to.

(and the bread knife was the biggest knife in the dish drain at the time)
posted by kellydamnit 11 January | 12:00
Cats have a magic we'll never understand.
posted by deborah 11 January | 15:14
"reading a book on understanding cat behaviour"

Ack! Yes, that would ruin all the fun.
posted by mischief 11 January | 15:18
HURF DURF HIPPIES || essexjan Gets My Funny Foto Prize This Week

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