Posted: 8/24/2006 12:58:40 PM EDT
|
You know the game folks, we are here to test your h0t Haxxor sK1llZ! I work at home running my own computer repair service. I receive a phone call today from a guy we'll call Fred. Fred has a pretty nice system built by myself and a laptop. Fred's computer is not printing. Fred calls his manufacture and states that his computer is not printing and its a problem with Windows XP (from info he read online  ). I say, ok, lets go through some basic TS and see if we cant diagnose over the phone. Fred says "no, its a manufactures problem, come fix it now." I say "ok but let me remind you the policy that if it is a manufactures warrenty issue, the repair will be free, however in case there is some other problem the fee is $120.00 for the first hour and $75 for every hour thereafter." Fred says "no problem, this one is OBVIOUSLY on you (meaning me)" me says "Ok Fred, I'll see you in an hour" Any guess as to what went wrong and who the tab was on? |
|
Any number of things, almost all of which are User Error and you're $120 richer, minus drive time and 10 minutes of TS time. In no particular order: 1. Printer not selected. 2. Printer cable not connected. 3. Printer not plugged in or turned off. 4. Printer driver not installed. 5. No paper in printer. 6. Etc... |
|
The cause of the problem is: knot in cables caused data stream to become twisted and kinked Brought to you by the BOFH www.cs.wisc.edu/~ballard/bofh/bofhserver.pl |
|
Kind of like the service call we got when I was working at a high-end stereo store back in college. PO'd customer threw down some major bucks on a Carver amp and then complained that it would shut-off (go into protection) every time he cranked it up... We brought it into the shop, plugged it into a pair of Heresey's that came over on the ark, cranked it up to 11 ;>, and left it on all weekend. It played flawlessly and would break windows... He took it home and it kept shutting off every time he cranked it up again... We sent a service technician to his house and found his amp was plugged into a "clapper" because he liked to come home, clap his hands, and turn on the stereo. (I couldn't make this up if I tried) 
|
I sure hope you are! because if you arent then I have no more hope in humanity 
|
|
The problem is obviously caused by "proprietary" 'trons of the printer (most likely an older HP model), which have been forbidden by means of an exclusionary clause in their contract, to directly communicate with the hardware that hosts the operating system. To correct this, one must purchase, through the "archaic computer institute", an interpreter to place in between the printer and PC. Problem solved. 
|
that could be the funniest thing I've read in days (besides my paycheck) |
I love the BOFH..... THe series is continued at The Register... |
| Speculating is a waste of time, but one problem that comes up from time to time is the use of passive USB extension cables. If the total length needed is more than 6 or 8 feet, an active USB cable is often necessary to prevent intermittent data transmission errors. |
From an old, old email:
|
What's the largest support organization you've worked in? All the ones I've seen that are larger than 4-5 people have had pebkac written in big letters on a whiteboard somewhere. Now, I will say that none of the other developers who didn't work support when they were in school have no idea what it means when I say it the first time. |
You said it!! Occasionally, I'll get stopped on the sales floor by a customer, which usually results in me having a headache. And forget about the teenaged turds who want you to troubleshoot their car audio system that their "buddy" hooked up...Can you say "Fire hazard"? And, lucky me, I do house calls too!! YOU try teaching a 90 year old senile bastard how to use a universal remote!! AAARGH!!!!!!!!!! 
|
