Keep in mind that your story doesn't necessarily need to detail complicated mechanical/software issues, just bad times. Here is a horror story of mine for example of no technical quality.(I cannot participate in the contest, this is just for entertainment)
After having lived here just outside Philadelphia for no more than a month, I was beyond dead broke. Financial aid had run out months ago and all expenses were credit card coverage only (2.5 cards maxed, 1 new one). As a student, it is vital for me to connect to the internet and many extremely important files concerning school curriculum and hosptial site were on my PC (and of course, my back-up system involves a spare internal hard-drive on the computer). One day while I was trying to watch the History Channel on Win XP Media Center 2005, the system hung, then powered down. Despite my common sense that the machine powered down for a good reason, I foolishly decided to push the power button and turn it back on. What followed was what I like to call the "flash-bang" effect. Through the clear plexi side window I saw a very bright, white flash of light accompanied by a loud "KABOOM" (actually sounded more like a gunshot, very loud and quick bang) Then the -bang effect, this is the internal "thud" of my stomach hitting the floor upon the realization of my moronic actions. Alas, after that moment I could not obtain any vital signs from my computer. I hung my head in a solemn moment of silence, and then cried like a 12 year old girl. What I had in my system that could have been dead to my knowledge [Athlon XP 4400+, DFI-LanParty Crossfire MB, ATI 1900XTX, 2 200GB HDD's, Soundblaster X-fi Fatality, 550watt PSU (antec I think), 2 GB Corsair VS RAM]. I was sunk, and I was also desperate for a new computer because I needed the data on those HDD's that week and had no time for part-by-part trouble shooting. Out of desperation and panic, I bought a PC off of Craig's List.com (overpriced average home build) and at the same time ordered new components (PSU, MB, CPU) hoping the others were alive. When all the new stuff arrived I decided to throw together a test setup and see if anything was still alive. Component by component every item checked out until I got to the PSU. I spent over a thousand dollars on credit buying duplicates of many of my components that were in perfect working order, all because it never occured to me to take out my $15 Volt-meter and test my $60 PSU to see if it would turn on. Now I have a spare motherboard, CPU, and whole other out-of-date computer laying on my living room floor collecting dust, and still haven't paid off the credit balance. Moral of the story, don't panic I guess.