Data Recovery Software
July 31, 2007
Ok, so here’s my plug for software.
This is great piece of data recovery software for “level 1″ situations. Download the trial. Type in “TRIAL” in the activation code area, almost missed it myself when reading the instructions.
Great for: situations when you accidentally delete something, format the drive, or empty the recycle bin.
Not great for: accidentally re-installing windows, drive not detecting, drives that have been dropped or making noises.
Here’s the link for the rest of the CBL software.
HOT NEWS! There have been rumblings that CBL has been working on a new piece of software. No idea if it’s a more advanced version of their data shredder, whether it’s a better recovery tool, or if it’s a diagnostic tool. It looks like they are definitely making a push to get into the software market.
Old people should not own computers.
July 23, 2007
Probably one of the longest calls I’ve taken. Where some old lady called and asked every question in the book. From AOL to Zone Alarm. “Do you know how to use _____?” “How do I use it?” “What does that do?” I remained calm, I did not hang up on her, most importantly I did not pull out any of my hair. I absolutely hate it when customers call for support on products we do not sell. Do you think Bill Gates calls Steve Jobs for support on his Vista notebook? I think not.
Oh, analogy not dumb enough for you? Do you think Ronald McDonald goes to Taco Bell when he has a problem with his Big Mac?
More examples: don’t call Toshiba when you need support for you Dell notebook. OR how about don’t call Motorola about your Nokia phone.
CD explodes in CD rom
July 20, 2007
Hmm, guess I should treat these calls with a bit more legitimately.
Who knew lasers could be dangerous?! I mean come on!
Common requests:
July 17, 2007
How do I copy a file?
How do I save a file?
How do I open a file?
How do I check email?
How do I install the Internet?
What is the Internet?
Where can I find the Internet?
How do I change my screen saver?
No, I want the screen saver with the green grass and blue sky …
How do I make smiley faces?
DIY
July 13, 2007
Caller: “How do I create a boot disk?”
Me: “If you’re using Windows 98 you -”
C: “I’m using XP”
M: “Well then there’s no easy way to do it. Why do you need a boot disk?”
C: “I want to recover data from my drive.”
M: “What sort of error message are you getting?”
C: “Invalid boot disk.”
M: “Ok, pull the drive out, plug it into and external enclosure and try attaching it to another computer.”
C: “Would that be included when I bought my laptop?”
M: “No, you need to purchase that separately.”
C: “Well how can I do this with what I have?”
M: “You can’t. You don’t have right equipment or the software. It sounds like something you need to take to a local computer store.”
C: “Well shouldn’t all of that be included with my laptop?”
M: “Did your car come with the tools to perform engine repair?”
C: “… no …”
M: “Did your TV come with the tools to replace a broken tube?”
C: “… … no.”
M: “Did your cell phone come with the tools to repair a leaky battery?”
C: “…”
M: “Then why do you think a laptop should come with all of the tools necessary to maintain it over it’s lifetime?!”
*click*
Monitor cable…
July 9, 2007
Caller: “My monitor isn’t working ever since I moved things around.”
Me: “Can you check the cables?”
C: “I plugged everything back in just as it was before, the light is on but the screen is black.”
After going through the standard checklist I was truly puzzled. I had to make a visit to the user’s cubicle. Double checking everything again it seemed to be in order. I decided to unplug the monitor and try it on another computer. I was about to plug it in when I noticed a couple of pins severely bent out of shape.
M: “You didn’t by chance plug this in the wrong way on the first attempt did you?”
Her face completely changed from being irritated to being caught red handed.
C: “Um, no … at least I don’t remember doing that. It plugged in just fine …”
Uh huh. You tried to plug it in the wrong way, it wouldn’t go, so you forced it, bent 2 pins, then decided to try it the other way and now it doesn’t work and you think you did nothing wrong? That’s why the connection has a unique shape so you CAN’T plug it in the wrong way. Somehow you’ve managed to break the laws of physics and bent 2 pins in the process. So pulled out my Swiss Army Knife, managed to carefully bend back the pins, plugged in the monitor and everything was good to go. I also told her not to move things around and to make a request through IT services.
Power’s out
July 5, 2007
“OMG, my computer just turned off! What do I do?”
“Did you flick the on/off switch? Do the lights come on?”
“No, no lights.”
“Ok, check the cables, maybe it came unplugged by accident.”
“It’s hard to see, I’m trying to follow the cable but it’s behind the computer.”
“Do you have a desk lamp, or a flash light?”
“No, the lamp won’t work since the power went out.”
” … the power’s out?”
“Yes”
“… the power is out for the entire floor? or just you?”
“It’s out for the entire block.”
“… um, your computer can’t work without power …”
“… oh …”
