Well, I tried all IT guy's suggestions, and immediately things improved. It must have run for a couple of weeks with no problem. So thanks for that! It was a little honeymoon, at least.
But then it began to balk again. At first, if I took the bottom off and poked gently at everything, then re-assembled, it would then start and run normally for a few days. Then it got so I'd have to give it a cautious little 'whump' on the table or it wouldn't start. Disassembly or resetting with the battery out didn't always do it.
And finally, just recently, it started shutting off - that is, going into a total freeze - during use. I'd have to force it off, remove the battery, and fiddle and whump and pray and sometimes it would start again and sometimes it wouldn't. I'm typing on it right now, and this is the first time I've got it to run in days.
Unfortunately, this seems to be one cheaply built little laptop. I won't be buying another one, nor will I be recommending anything Acer to my friends who ask for tips and recommendations.
Don't tell me that I beat it to death - I only started with the bumps when nothing else would start it. I've never done that with a computer before, and I should naver have had to do it to this one.
I have no argument with ChromeOS - in fact, I like it. I'll be replacing this with another Chromebook, but it won't be an Acer. Maybe the new Dell - it looks pretty solid.
Too bad - this little box gave me one good year, but now I feel I wasted my money. If you're reading this and thinking of buying one, I have this advice: Don't waste yours!
United States