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Fantasy » alt.fan.pratchett » If somebody tells you,
| If somebody tells you, [message #289661] |
Mi, 21 Juni 2006 05:54 |
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"You're getting a Dell!" hit 'em in the mouth, preferably with a shovel,
then run like a son of a bitch
Aggravated Aggie
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| Re: If somebody tells you, [message #289662 ] |
Mi, 21 Juni 2006 05:59 |
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Aggie Angst wrote:
> "You're getting a Dell!" hit 'em in the mouth, preferably with a
> shovel, then run like a son of a bitch
Well, thank you, Aggie, for more-or-less making me accidentally blow my nose
into my hand.
Thank glod I wasn't at all congested, is all I have to say. Yuck.
--
4th swordswoman of the afpocalypse, AFPMinister of Flexible Weapons,
Bondage-happy predator, Speaker-To-Students, SadoMangoist,
AFPMistress to peachy, 8'FED's AFPDeliciousSnack, AFPFiance to A.
Nevill , Graycat's Guttersnipe
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| [I]Re: If somebody tells you, [message #289664 ] |
Mi, 21 Juni 2006 06:09 |
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"Anastasia" <house_damodred [at] yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:yu3mg.9026$o4.1209 [at] newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> Aggie Angst wrote:
>> "You're getting a Dell!" hit 'em in the mouth, preferably with a
>> shovel, then run like a son of a bitch
>
> Well, thank you, Aggie, for more-or-less making me accidentally blow my
> nose into my hand.
>
> Thank glod I wasn't at all congested, is all I have to say. Yuck.
>
I am cheaper than Mucinex!
Hey, where did my tag go...
Jeez...
Aggie (is not having any luck today)
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| Re: If somebody tells you, [message #289682 ] |
Mi, 21 Juni 2006 13:21 |
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"Aggie Angst" <aggieangst [at] myinvalidway.com> wrote in message
news:7q3mg.8811$lf4.4870 [at] newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> "You're getting a Dell!" hit 'em in the mouth, preferably with a
> shovel, then run like a son of a bitch
>
Whilst I'd tend to agree, there are worse..........Compuke as my wife's
family call them.
Steve
------
I think I thought the thought of thoughts thought the thinking man,
thinking thoughts thoughtfully thoroughly and through
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| Re: If somebody tells you, [message #289688 ] |
Mi, 21 Juni 2006 13:36 |
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On Wed, 21 Jun 2006 03:54:43 +0000, Aggie Angst wrote:
> "You're getting a Dell!" hit 'em in the mouth, preferably with a shovel,
> then run like a son of a bitch
>
> Aggravated Aggie
I'm guessing this is not a good day?[1]
What did Mr Dell Do To Make You Not His Friend?[2]
FWIW every computer make has the capacity to jump up and kick you in the
teeth on a semi-regular basis, which is why I have almost *never* bought
a ready built PC. Even when I did I was straight ino 'invalidate
warranty' mode when I got home by opening the box to put extra bits in.
--
Kind regards,
Julian Hall
"I'm only on the planet because I missed the bus home"
[1] Sees sig on other mail.. thought not
[2] My keyboard seems to have contracted the Detritus virus today :)
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| Re:[I] If somebody tells you, [message #289777 ] |
Do, 22 Juni 2006 03:04 |
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"Steve Rogers" <steve [at] soapietrekkers.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:e7ba36$m6f$1 [at] mud.stack.nl...
> "Aggie Angst" <aggieangst [at] myinvalidway.com> wrote in message
> news:7q3mg.8811$lf4.4870 [at] newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>> "You're getting a Dell!" hit 'em in the mouth, preferably with a shovel,
>> then run like a son of a bitch
>>
>
>
> Whilst I'd tend to agree, there are worse..........Compuke as my wife's
> family call them.
>
> Steve
Though I haven't tried every computer brand out there, Compaq is by far the
worst thing I have ever used. I don't think it lasted three years before it
gave up it's stuttering, nasty little ghost. :p
Aggie
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| Re:[I] If somebody tells you, [message #289778 ] |
Do, 22 Juni 2006 03:17 |
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"CeltiKaos" <lists [at] munged4usenet.removethatbitohandthisbit.kaotic.co.uk>
wrote in message
news:pan.2006.06.21.11.36.02.429769 [at] munged4usenet.removethatbitohandthisbit.kaotic.co.uk...
> On Wed, 21 Jun 2006 03:54:43 +0000, Aggie Angst wrote:
>
>> "You're getting a Dell!" hit 'em in the mouth, preferably with a shovel,
>> then run like a son of a bitch
>>
>> Aggravated Aggie
>
> I'm guessing this is not a good day?[1]
>
> What did Mr Dell Do To Make You Not His Friend?[2]
>
> FWIW every computer make has the capacity to jump up and kick you in the
> teeth on a semi-regular basis, which is why I have almost *never* bought
> a ready built PC. Even when I did I was straight ino 'invalidate
> warranty' mode when I got home by opening the box to put extra bits in.
> --
> Kind regards,
>
> Julian Hall
The last Dell I had for over four years and I loved it, espcially since I
had a Compaq prior to and it was a large piece o' poop. I am now on my
second Dell this month. I spent the day that I had set aside for working on
my resume setting up the newest one and trying all the parts out and
!&$ [at] #!!! if the CD\DVD drive on this one didn't have issues just like the
last one. I'm not going to even go into what I went through trying to get
decent tech support. After phone tech number seven and three or four chat
supports, I went all wahoonie shaped and made 'em take it back. I get the
new one and it's doing something similiar. It's not as crashy as the first
one though. And all the techs are from India. I always liked people from
India. Think they're real decent folks, BUT *%#$ [at] !!!!! THERE'S A LANGUAGE
BARRIER!
I kept telling them stuff and they kept not understanding me and kept making
do the same roundy round crap that wasn't helping anything. After three
hours online today I blew and started typing "I hate Dell! I hate Dell!" in
reply to all the bad suggestions. Then they decided a service rep should
call me.
Long %$# [at] &! ' story short, I FIXED THE #$% [at] #!! COMPUTER MY OWN
SELF!!!!!!![1] AREN'T THESE %$# [at] #!! SUPPOSED TO WORK CORRECTLY OUT OF THE
BOX?! YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE TO ADD %$#$%$# [at] !!! DRIVERS AND WHATNOT
LEFT AND RIGHT TO BRAND NEW $# [at] # [at] !!! COMPUTER!
I fear Dell has gone the way of Gateway.
[1] Underpants definitely north now.
Aggie
PS~ [at] #!&%#*!!!!!!!!
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| Re: If somebody tells you, [message #289780 ] |
Do, 22 Juni 2006 04:31 |
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> > "You're getting a Dell!" hit 'em in the mouth, preferably with a shovel,
> > then run like a son of a bitch
> >
> > Aggravated Aggie
>
> I'm guessing this is not a good day?[1]
>
> What did Mr Dell Do To Make You Not His Friend?[2]
He arrived in a box is my guess. That's enough for most Dells.
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| Re: If somebody tells you, [message #289781 ] |
Do, 22 Juni 2006 05:27 |
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"Boyd Bottorff" <nomail [at] nomail.com> wrote in message
news:1hhazyu.53umt0ayca08N%nomail [at] nomail.com...
>> > "You're getting a Dell!" hit 'em in the mouth, preferably with a
>> > shovel,
>> > then run like a son of a bitch
>> >
>> > Aggravated Aggie
>>
>> I'm guessing this is not a good day?[1]
>>
>> What did Mr Dell Do To Make You Not His Friend?[2]
>
> He arrived in a box is my guess. That's enough for most Dells.
Had I known better, I would have buried him straight away...
}:^{
signed,
Dumb [at] $$
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| Re: Re:[I] If somebody tells you, [message #289790 ] |
Do, 22 Juni 2006 08:45 |
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Aggie Angst aggieangst [at] myinvalidway.com wrote in
<ocmmg.79$ii.6 [at] newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net>:
>
> Long %$# [at] &! ' story short, I FIXED THE #$% [at] #!! COMPUTER MY OWN
> SELF!!!!!!![1] AREN'T THESE %$# [at] #!! SUPPOSED TO WORK CORRECTLY OUT OF THE
> BOX?! YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE TO ADD %$#$%$# [at] !!! DRIVERS AND WHATNOT
> LEFT AND RIGHT TO BRAND NEW $# [at] # [at] !!! COMPUTER!
>
I think you may have misunderstoodd the terminology. Almost all Dell
computers work perfectly pretty much straight from the box. Problems only
occur if you actually try to do anything with them.
--
eric
www.ericjarvis.co.uk
"live fast, die only if strictly necessary"
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| Re: Re:[I] If somebody tells you, [message #289812 ] |
Do, 22 Juni 2006 13:37 |
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On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 01:04:12 +0000, Aggie Angst wrote:
> Though I haven't tried every computer brand out there, Compaq is by far
> the worst thing I have ever used. I don't think it lasted three years
> before it gave up it's stuttering, nasty little ghost. :p
>
> Aggie
I have a Compaq laptop and it hasn't given me any grief. Mind you they
are now part of HP.
--
Kind regards,
Julian Hall
"I'm only on the planet because I missed the bus home"
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| Re: Re:[I] If somebody tells you, [message #289816 ] |
Do, 22 Juni 2006 13:58 |
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On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 01:17:08 +0000, Aggie Angst wrote:
> I always liked people
> from India. Think they're real decent folks, BUT *%#$ [at] !!!!! THERE'S A
> LANGUAGE BARRIER!
This was always my argument with *never* sending Technical Support abroad.
By all means send Customer Service abroad - assuming they have a map to
know you live (for example) in BARRY South Wales not BURY in Scotland.
After six years (actually after 6 minutes ;)) it was plain to me that
there is enough of a 'language barrier' between the technically
challenged[1] customer and the technician when they both speak the same
language and understand one another's accents.
I do NOT want to even think about the mess that could result from someone
abroad trying to do a reg edit over the phone to a customer with a Geordie
/ Brummie / Glaswegian / Irish / Cornish etc accent. I can hear the Volga
Boat March being played for the PC though ;)
> I kept telling them stuff and they kept not understanding me and kept
> making do the same roundy round crap that wasn't helping anything.
Sounds about right. That's why my old employer brought support *back*
from India when outsourcing went down the toilet. Of course had they
ASKED the technicians first we'd had done the ritual making of crosses
with fingers/arms etc and said 'No' and a lot of wasted money ywould have
been saved, but then asking managers to respect (or sometimes even seek)
the advice/opinions of technical staff is silly talk ;)
> AREN'T THESE %$# [at] #!! SUPPOSED TO WORK CORRECTLY OUT OF
> THE BOX?! YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE TO ADD %$#$%$# [at] !!! DRIVERS AND
> WHATNOT LEFT AND RIGHT TO BRAND NEW $# [at] # [at] !!! COMPUTER!
In an ideal world where you don't have lazy buggers selling PCs with
months old installations on them, yes. You'd have loved the one a friend
told me of recently. Spewlett Smackard bought from PC World. Windows XP
installed. Problem was it was originally a *Windows 98* PC and not all the
drivers played nicely with the new OS. Add to that the install
information was on a *hidden non-DOS* partition. The instructions said to
burn the install information to a CD for backup. Problem 2 (or 3 - I
forget). This PC didn't *HAVE* a CD burner of any description.
Needless to say XP was ripped off, HD formatted fully and Windows 98
installed. Curiously it worked fine then :)
> [1] Underpants definitely north now.
Underpants rescued and put in the laundry. I wouldn't presume to place
them in their correct location - I'm allergic to being thumped senseless
:)
--
Kind regards,
Julian Hall
"I'm only on the planet because I missed the bus home"
[1] Let's keep this PC[2] shall we? *g*
[2] Politically correct.. you may not WANT to keep the PC ;)
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| Re: Re:[I] If somebody tells you, [message #289879 ] |
Do, 22 Juni 2006 20:18 |
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"CeltiKaos" <lists [at] munged4usenet.removethatbitohandthisbit.kaotic.co.uk>
wrote in message
news:pan.2006.06.22.11.37.04.453729 [at] munged4usenet.removethatbitohandthisbit.kaotic.co.uk...
> On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 01:04:12 +0000, Aggie Angst wrote:
>
>> Though I haven't tried every computer brand out there, Compaq is by far
>> the worst thing I have ever used. I don't think it lasted three years
>> before it gave up it's stuttering, nasty little ghost. :p
>>
>> Aggie
> I have a Compaq laptop and it hasn't given me any grief. Mind you they
> are now part of HP.
> --
> Kind regards,
>
> Julian Hall
> "I'm only on the planet because I missed the bus home"
Then you must be the exception that proves the rule.
;)
Aggie
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| Re: Re:[I] If somebody tells you, [message #289881 ] |
Do, 22 Juni 2006 20:20 |
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"Eric Jarvis" <eric [at] ericjarvis.co.uk> wrote in message
news:MPG.1f044cef6778146989d49 [at] cenote.gkhs.net...
> Aggie Angst aggieangst [at] myinvalidway.com wrote in
> <ocmmg.79$ii.6 [at] newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net>:
>>
>> Long %$# [at] &! ' story short, I FIXED THE #$% [at] #!! COMPUTER MY OWN
>> SELF!!!!!!![1] AREN'T THESE %$# [at] #!! SUPPOSED TO WORK CORRECTLY OUT OF
>> THE
>> BOX?! YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE TO ADD %$#$%$# [at] !!! DRIVERS AND WHATNOT
>> LEFT AND RIGHT TO BRAND NEW $# [at] # [at] !!! COMPUTER!
>>
>
> I think you may have misunderstoodd the terminology. Almost all Dell
> computers work perfectly pretty much straight from the box. Problems only
> occur if you actually try to do anything with them.
>
> --
> eric
:^D
I should have know I screwed it up somewhere...
I'ma keep sendin' 'em back till they promise to give me one in a decorator
color. If it's gonna sit around, it should at least look nice.
:)
Aggie
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| Re: Re:[I] If somebody tells you, [message #289883 ] |
Do, 22 Juni 2006 20:31 |
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"CeltiKaos" <lists [at] munged4usenet.removethatbitohandthisbit.kaotic.co.uk>
wrote in message
news:pan.2006.06.22.11.58.41.723783 [at] munged4usenet.removethatbitohandthisbit.kaotic.co.uk...
> On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 01:17:08 +0000, Aggie Angst wrote:
>
>> I always liked people
>> from India. Think they're real decent folks, BUT *%#$ [at] !!!!! THERE'S A
>> LANGUAGE BARRIER!
>
> This was always my argument with *never* sending Technical Support abroad.
> By all means send Customer Service abroad - assuming they have a map to
> know you live (for example) in BARRY South Wales not BURY in Scotland.
>
> After six years (actually after 6 minutes ;)) it was plain to me that
> there is enough of a 'language barrier' between the technically
> challenged[1] customer and the technician when they both speak the same
> language and understand one another's accents.
That is so right, and I feel so bad even mentioning the language barrier,
but it is there. I had to use Dell chat to type the same sentence over and
over and over in new and inventive ways before the tech really got what I
was saying. I felt like I was trying to remedially educate a challenged
student. Me: I have already downloaded the firmware xyc. I didn't help.
Him: No, all you need to do is download the firmware xyc. It will
certainly correct your problem. - Now add a square root to that equation
and there you have my Dell "Award Winning Support" experience. :p
>
> I do NOT want to even think about the mess that could result from someone
> abroad trying to do a reg edit over the phone to a customer with a Geordie
> / Brummie / Glaswegian / Irish / Cornish etc accent. I can hear the Volga
> Boat March being played for the PC though ;)
That's one of the reasons the first one is going back. The tech had me
screwing around in the registry. I told him I didn't feel comfortable doing
that... :p Obviously he wasn't so good at it either.
>
>> I kept telling them stuff and they kept not understanding me and kept
>> making do the same roundy round crap that wasn't helping anything.
>
> Sounds about right. That's why my old employer brought support *back*
> from India when outsourcing went down the toilet. Of course had they
> ASKED the technicians first we'd had done the ritual making of crosses
> with fingers/arms etc and said 'No' and a lot of wasted money ywould have
> been saved, but then asking managers to respect (or sometimes even seek)
> the advice/opinions of technical staff is silly talk ;)
Noooo... your administrator is all knowing and doesn't need your input.
Just ask my boss. ;)
I'm a teacher and we have politicians running us around. Enough said, yes?
>
>> AREN'T THESE %$# [at] #!! SUPPOSED TO WORK CORRECTLY OUT OF
>> THE BOX?! YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE TO ADD %$#$%$# [at] !!! DRIVERS AND
>> WHATNOT LEFT AND RIGHT TO BRAND NEW $# [at] # [at] !!! COMPUTER!
>
> In an ideal world where you don't have lazy buggers selling PCs with
> months old installations on them, yes. You'd have loved the one a friend
> told me of recently. Spewlett Smackard bought from PC World. Windows XP
> installed. Problem was it was originally a *Windows 98* PC and not all the
> drivers played nicely with the new OS. Add to that the install
> information was on a *hidden non-DOS* partition. The instructions said to
> burn the install information to a CD for backup. Problem 2 (or 3 - I
> forget). This PC didn't *HAVE* a CD burner of any description.
>
> Needless to say XP was ripped off, HD formatted fully and Windows 98
> installed. Curiously it worked fine then :)
See! That's why I'ma learn to build the (many swear words *here*) things.
If I can't buy a decent machine for a fair trade rate, then screw them.
I'll get the parts. It can't be that hard. Apparently... Do computers
still use DOS boxes? I had no idea.
>
>> [1] Underpants definitely north now.
>
> Underpants rescued and put in the laundry. I wouldn't presume to place
> them in their correct location - I'm allergic to being thumped senseless
> :)
> --
> Kind regards,
>
> Julian Hall
One has to wash sometime.
;)
Aggie
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| Re: Re:[I] If somebody tells you, [message #289914 ] |
Do, 22 Juni 2006 22:35 |
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CeltiKaos <lists [at] munged4usenet.removethatbitohandthisbit.kaotic.co.uk>
wrote:
> I have a Compaq laptop and it hasn't given me any grief. Mind you
> they are now part of HP.
Try to install a different OS than what it came with (Linux, BSD, Solaris or
even Windows Vista), and you might revise your opinion. Compaq/HP has by
choice saved pennies by choosing components for which there only are Windows
drivers.
Regards,
--
*Art
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| Re: Re:[I] If somebody tells you, [message #290008 ] |
Fr, 23 Juni 2006 13:08 |
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On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 16:35:25 -0400, Arthur Hagen wrote:
> Try to install a different OS than what it came with (Linux, BSD, Solaris
> or even Windows Vista), and you might revise your opinion. Compaq/HP has
> by choice saved pennies by choosing components for which there only are
> Windows drivers.
Actually I'm dual booting Windows XP Pro (it came with Home - boo hiss!)
and Xandros 3.0.2 (Debian based linux distro).
Both work perfectly.
--
Kind regards,
Julian Hall
"I'm only on the planet because I missed the bus home"
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| Re: Re:[I] If somebody tells you, [message #290009 ] |
Fr, 23 Juni 2006 13:09 |
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On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 18:18:30 +0000, Aggie Angst wrote:
> Then you must be the exception that proves the rule. ;)
> Aggie
No change there then! ;)
--
Kind regards,
Julian Hall
"I'm only on the planet because I missed the bus home"
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| Re: Re:[I] If somebody tells you, [message #290011 ] |
Fr, 23 Juni 2006 13:32 |
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On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 18:31:03 +0000, Aggie Angst wrote:
> That is so right, and I feel so bad even mentioning the language barrier,
> but it is there.
Don't feel bad, it's a valid point and about time managers got their heads
out of the PC sand and accepted it. Some things, no matter how well
intentioned[1] are a terrible idea from day one.
> Now add a square root to that
> equation and there you have my Dell "Award Winning Support" experience. :p
Greeeaattt.. no accent issues and he still couldn't *read* English. That
can't be a good sign.
> That's one of the reasons the first one is going back. The tech had me
> screwing around in the registry. I told him I didn't feel comfortable
> doing that... :p Obviously he wasn't so good at it either.
EEK! My support calls involving the registry went something like this:
Me: OK now, editing the registry is a little like open heart surgery...
Cmr: *ulp*
Me: ... while the patient is awake and wondering why you're waving a
scalpel in their face..
Cmr: *double ulp with side order of squeaked 'mummy'*
Me: .. but don't worry I've been here X years and never lost a patient
yet, and I don't intend to start with you
Cmr: *heart rate slows below 300bpm*
*then* the very first thing I got them to do was a *BACKUP* and place it
in the root partition of C: drive. That way if it all goes wahoonie
shaped all you need to do is get into Windows (Safe Mode), assuming the
customer hasn't made *TOO* big a Horlicks of it, and double click the
backup to restore the registry. Then try fixing it *right* this time.
Only ever had to use the backup once. Customer ignored my instructions
and wiped out HKEY/LocalMachine/CurrentControlSet. Pillock. For the
uninitiated that basically meant that when Windows rebooted it knew
*nothing* about the PC it was running on, including all hardware drivers!
> Noooo... your administrator is all knowing and doesn't need your input.
> Just ask my boss. ;)
> I'm a teacher and we have politicians running us around. Enough said,
> yes?
Oh indeedy. We just had amateur muppet-wannabees as bosses. You have the
genuine article ;)
> See! That's why I'ma learn to build the (many swear words *here*)
> things. If I can't buy a decent machine for a fair trade rate, then
> screw them.
Think you're only supposed to build it not... oh sorry I see what you
mean... oops!
> I'll get the parts. It can't be that hard. Apparently...
A lot of the mystique is shovelled into it by self-styled hardware
technicians[2] who think they can charge high rates by making it look a
lot harder than it actually *is*. e.g. most of the slots/connectors are
different shapes, so you can't physically plug the wrong thing in where
it doesn't belong. Not all of course, but most.
> Do computers still use DOS boxes? I had no idea.
Not unless you go to www.allbootdisks.com and make yourself a Windows 98
boot disk (highly recommended btw as a get out of jail card).
Windows XP won't let you anywhere near true DOS and the 'DOS bos' within
windows is of limited use.
> One has to wash sometime.
> ;)
> Aggie
/me looks at his calendar *sighs* and drags the bath into the garden a'la
Nanny Ogg style.[3]
--
Kind regards,
Julian Hall
"I'm only on the planet because I missed the bus home"
[1] And I'm not saying it was well intentioned - saving money is the goal.
[2] Put a memory stick in once and didn't blow the PC to hell.
[3] However being Welsh I can hold a tune without chrome plated handles ;)
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| Re: Re:[I] If somebody tells you, [message #290037 ] |
Fr, 23 Juni 2006 16:03 |
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CeltiKaos <lists [at] munged4usenet.removethatbitohandthisbit.kaotic.co.uk>
wrote:
> On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 16:35:25 -0400, Arthur Hagen wrote:
>
>> Try to install a different OS than what it came with (Linux, BSD,
>> Solaris or even Windows Vista), and you might revise your opinion.
>> Compaq/HP has by choice saved pennies by choosing components for
>> which there only are Windows drivers.
>
> Actually I'm dual booting Windows XP Pro (it came with Home - boo
> hiss!) and Xandros 3.0.2 (Debian based linux distro).
>
> Both work perfectly.
Perfectly, as in untainted with GPL drivers, or by using ndiswrapper and the
proprietary Windows drivers under emulation? Or is this a model where they
didn't put in Windows-proprietary Conexant/Broadcomm chips?
I have one Compaq 2100 series notebook here (and my wife has a HP VZ6000
desktop replacement behemoth), and they're really only meant for running the
pre-installed OS and utilities. Broadcomm WiFi chipsets with proprietary
Windows drivers only, Conexant sound chips that double up as a winmodem, and
a touchpad that there are no fully working drivers for for Linux (with the
synaptics drivers you get occasional "back back" interpretations during
normal use, even with gestures turned off).
Regards,
--
*Art
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| Re: Re:[I] If somebody tells you, [message #290092 ] |
Fr, 23 Juni 2006 21:25 |
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"CeltiKaos" <lists [at] munged4usenet.removethatbitohandthisbit.kaotic.co.uk>
wrote in message
news:pan.2006.06.23.11.32.23.189811 [at] munged4usenet.removethatbitohandthisbit.kaotic.co.uk...
> On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 18:31:03 +0000, Aggie Angst wrote:
>
>> That is so right, and I feel so bad even mentioning the language barrier,
>> but it is there.
>
> Don't feel bad, it's a valid point and about time managers got their heads
> out of the PC sand and accepted it. Some things, no matter how well
> intentioned[1] are a terrible idea from day one.
There's a whole lot of kerfuffle in the U.S. right now about illegal aliens,
outsourcing jobs, and the war on the middle class. Now I have opinions on
all these things, I just don't want to come across as sounding racist
against Indian people. :\
~~~~snip~~~~~
>> That's one of the reasons the first one is going back. The tech had me
>> screwing around in the registry. I told him I didn't feel comfortable
>> doing that... :p Obviously he wasn't so good at it either.
>
> EEK! My support calls involving the registry went something like this:
>
> Me: OK now, editing the registry is a little like open heart surgery...
> Cmr: *ulp*
> Me: ... while the patient is awake and wondering why you're waving a
> scalpel in their face..
> Cmr: *double ulp with side order of squeaked 'mummy'*
> Me: .. but don't worry I've been here X years and never lost a patient
> yet, and I don't intend to start with you
> Cmr: *heart rate slows below 300bpm*
>
> *then* the very first thing I got them to do was a *BACKUP* and place it
> in the root partition of C: drive. That way if it all goes wahoonie
> shaped all you need to do is get into Windows (Safe Mode), assuming the
> customer hasn't made *TOO* big a Horlicks of it, and double click the
> backup to restore the registry. Then try fixing it *right* this time.
>
> Only ever had to use the backup once. Customer ignored my instructions
> and wiped out HKEY/LocalMachine/CurrentControlSet. Pillock. For the
> uninitiated that basically meant that when Windows rebooted it knew
> *nothing* about the PC it was running on, including all hardware drivers!
Mine was more like:
Tech: Click Run, then typ regedit.
Me: Eep! No!
Tech: It will not hurt your computer! It will make it run better!
Me: Yargh!
Tech: No really!
Computer: Crash!
Me: You bastard!
~~~~~snipping~~~~~~
> A lot of the mystique is shovelled into it by self-styled hardware
> technicians[2] who think they can charge high rates by making it look a
> lot harder than it actually *is*. e.g. most of the slots/connectors are
> different shapes, so you can't physically plug the wrong thing in where
> it doesn't belong. Not all of course, but most.
>
Okay, that's handy to know. I already have the instruction book and the
worried look.
>> Do computers still use DOS boxes? I had no idea.
>
> Not unless you go to www.allbootdisks.com and make yourself a Windows 98
> boot disk (highly recommended btw as a get out of jail card).
Even for a 2000 XP? Of course there are a bunch of old computers at work
that for some reason people look to me to fix. I have no idea why. I guess
it's cuz I know where the ON switch is. :\ That ought to help out there.
Course my new pewt has no A: drive, just a CD port.
>
> Windows XP won't let you anywhere near true DOS and the 'DOS bos' within
> windows is of limited use.
Unless you want to screw up the registry!
Aggie
:)
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| Re: [I] If somebody tells you, [message #290148 ] |
Sa, 24 Juni 2006 01:27 |
|
CeltiKaos <lists [at] munged4usenet.removethatbitohandthisbit.kaotic.co.uk>
wrote:
> On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 18:31:03 +0000, Aggie Angst wrote:
>
> > I'll get the parts. It can't be that hard. Apparently...
>
> A lot of the mystique is shovelled into it by self-styled hardware
> technicians[2] who think they can charge high rates by making it look a
> lot harder than it actually *is*. e.g. most of the slots/connectors are
> different shapes, so you can't physically plug the wrong thing in where
> it doesn't belong.
If you believe _that_, you shouldn't be in tech support. Remember: no
matter how tight the fit and how large the force necessary, there will
always be some user somewhere who will have fitted any known connector
in any known slot. And demand a refund because _you_ broke his computer.
Richard
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| Re: [I] If somebody tells you, [message #290153 ] |
Sa, 24 Juni 2006 01:32 |
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CeltiKaos <lists [at] munged4usenet.removethatbitohandthisbit.kaotic.co.uk>
wrote:
> On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 01:17:08 +0000, Aggie Angst wrote:
>
> > AREN'T THESE %$# [at] #!! SUPPOSED TO WORK CORRECTLY OUT OF
> > THE BOX?! YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE TO ADD %$#$%$# [at] !!! DRIVERS AND
> > WHATNOT LEFT AND RIGHT TO BRAND NEW $# [at] # [at] !!! COMPUTER!
>
> In an ideal world where you don't have lazy buggers selling PCs with
> months old installations on them, yes. You'd have loved the one a friend
> told me of recently. Spewlett Smackard bought from PC World. Windows XP
> installed. Problem was it was originally a *Windows 98* PC and not all the
> drivers played nicely with the new OS. Add to that the install
> information was on a *hidden non-DOS* partition. The instructions said to
> burn the install information to a CD for backup. Problem 2 (or 3 - I
> forget). This PC didn't *HAVE* a CD burner of any description.
Ho-hum. I do hope this "PC World"[1] is a second-hand store specialising
in computer hard- and software. If not, I think they're well into trade
standards violation territory here. A letter to the consumers' union
might be in order.
Richard
[1] In my country that's a computer advertisement magazine
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| Re: [I] If somebody tells you, [message #290167 ] |
Sa, 24 Juni 2006 02:13 |
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On Fri, 23 Jun 2006 12:32:26 +0100, CeltiKaos
<lists [at] munged4usenet.removethatbitohandthisbit.kaotic.co.uk> wrote:
>A lot of the mystique is shovelled into it by self-styled hardware
>technicians[2] who think they can charge high rates by making it look a
>lot harder than it actually *is*. e.g. most of the slots/connectors are
>different shapes, so you can't physically plug the wrong thing in where
>it doesn't belong.
I used to think that. Then I ran across far too many tech writeups who had
witnessed people do exactly that, usually destroying something expensive
in the process.
"It fits! - if you use a hammer."
-SteveD
--
*cringe*
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| Re: Re:[I] If somebody tells you, [message #290209 ] |
Sa, 24 Juni 2006 11:35 |
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Aggie Angst wrote:
<snip>
> See! That's why I'ma learn to build the (many swear words *here*)
> things. If I can't buy a decent machine for a fair trade rate, then
> screw them. I'll get the parts. It can't be that hard.
It's easy enough for me to manage it. Believe me, that's pretty easy.
Diane L.
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| Re: [I] If somebody tells you, [message #290281 ] |
Sa, 24 Juni 2006 21:06 |
|
Richard Bos <raltbos [at] xs4all.nl> wrote:
> CeltiKaos <lists [at] munged4usenet.removethatbitohandthisbit.kaotic.co.uk>
> wrote:
>
> > On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 18:31:03 +0000, Aggie Angst wrote:
> >
> > > I'll get the parts. It can't be that hard. Apparently...
> >
> > A lot of the mystique is shovelled into it by self-styled hardware
> > technicians[2] who think they can charge high rates by making it look a
> > lot harder than it actually *is*. e.g. most of the slots/connectors are
> > different shapes, so you can't physically plug the wrong thing in where
> > it doesn't belong.
>
> If you believe _that_, you shouldn't be in tech support. Remember: no
> matter how tight the fit and how large the force necessary, there will
> always be some user somewhere who will have fitted any known connector
> in any known slot. And demand a refund because _you_ broke his computer.
To be fair, quote a few of the connections that are
supposed to be alright are very hard to make as well.
(Just think of those big HD power connectors...)
Schobi
--
SpamTrap [at] gmx.de is never read
I'm Schobi at suespammers dot org
"The sarcasm is mightier than the sword."
Eric Jarvis
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| Re: [I] If somebody tells you, [message #290292 ] |
Sa, 24 Juni 2006 23:08 |
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Hendrik Schober <SpamTrap [at] gmx.de> wrote:
>
> To be fair, quote a few of the connections that are
> supposed to be alright are very hard to make as well.
> (Just think of those big HD power connectors...)
SATA drives have a smaller power connector, which unfortunately has a huge
design flaw: The plastic is by necessity so thin around it that it tends to
break. Just the pressure of the cable itself being bent is enough to break
the plug, and it's become one of the most cursed at[1] connectors on a
modern system.
Also, it's not easily user replacable like the old 4-pin molex, so a user
might end up having to replace a $100 power supply instead of a $.50 plug.
[1]: Next to internal USB and 1394 headers, which by sheer design stupidity
have the same layout with the missing pin that's supposed to prevent
misplugging at the same diagonal corner pair -- plug one into the wrong
header, and the motherboard is likely to go poof.
Regards,
--
*Art
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| Re: Re:[I] If somebody tells you, [message #290314 ] |
So, 25 Juni 2006 00:42 |
|
"Diane L" <dianenews [at] lindquist.plus.com> wrote in message
news:4g4fb6F1l7qgiU1 [at] individual.net...
> Aggie Angst wrote:
>
> <snip>
>> See! That's why I'ma learn to build the (many swear words *here*)
>> things. If I can't buy a decent machine for a fair trade rate, then
>> screw them. I'll get the parts. It can't be that hard.
>
> It's easy enough for me to manage it. Believe me, that's pretty easy.
>
> Diane L.
Good. Maybe this post will counteract the scare I just got from Arthur's.
;)
Aggie
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| Re: [I] If somebody tells you, [message #290395 ] |
So, 25 Juni 2006 11:15 |
|
"Arthur Hagen" <art [at] broomstick.com> writes:
> CeltiKaos <lists [at] munged4usenet.removethatbitohandthisbit.kaotic.co.uk>
> wrote:
>> I have a Compaq laptop and it hasn't given me any grief. Mind you
>> they are now part of HP.
>
> Try to install a different OS than what it came with (Linux, BSD,
> Solaris or even Windows Vista), and you might revise your opinion.
> Compaq/HP has by choice saved pennies by choosing components for which
> there only are Windows drivers.
>
Compaq, yes. HP, no. Unless you mean their dirt-cheap Pavillion
line. But all the Omnibooks I've seen so far (including the two I've
owned) were built out of standard components and ran Linux just fine.
Mart
--
"We will need a longer wall when the revolution comes."
--- AJS, quoting an uncertain source.
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| Re: Re:[I] If somebody tells you, [message #290414 ] |
So, 25 Juni 2006 14:38 |
|
On Fri, 23 Jun 2006 10:03:54 -0400, Arthur Hagen wrote:
> Perfectly, as in untainted with GPL drivers, or by using ndiswrapper and
> the proprietary Windows drivers under emulation? Or is this a model where
> they didn't put in Windows-proprietary Conexant/Broadcomm chips?
Cardbus Netgear WG511T (Atheros chipset) so using MADWifi (native Linux
modules) to drive it. (No onboard Wifi - I was a skinflint ;)). I didn't
fancy polluting the system with Windows drivers even though it was
suggested ndiswrapper would be easier.
Everything else worked out of the box, bar a minor tinker with the
trackpad to convince it to play every time I restarted.
--
Kind regards,
Julian Hall
"I'm only on the planet because I missed the bus home"
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| Re: [I] If somebody tells you, [message #290415 ] |
So, 25 Juni 2006 14:42 |
|
On Fri, 23 Jun 2006 23:32:21 +0000, Richard Bos wrote:
> Ho-hum. I do hope this "PC World"[1] is a second-hand store specialising
> in computer hard- and software.
No they are a major nationwide computer retailer. They just have
second-hand staff who are notorious for being thick as the result of
animal feed negotiating the digestive tract of a member of the porcine
species.
Example I was told about:
Girl goes for an interview and says she knows nothing about computers.
Interviewer: Can you turn one on?
Interviewee: Yes
Interviewer: You'll be fine for Sales then <????>
--
Kind regards,
Julian Hall
"I'm only on the planet because I missed the bus home"
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| Re: [I] If somebody tells you, [message #290416 ] |
So, 25 Juni 2006 14:46 |
|
On Fri, 23 Jun 2006 23:27:47 +0000, Richard Bos wrote:
> If you believe _that_, you shouldn't be in tech support. Remember: no
> matter how tight the fit and how large the force necessary, there will
> always be some user somewhere who will have fitted any known connector in
> any known slot. And demand a refund because _you_ broke his computer.
Touche! Let me rephrase. The connectors are different shapes to indicate
to a person of adequate intelligence (my 2 year old niece then) that
certain shapes only fit inside other shapes.
Depending on core density of user's skull YMMW :) Some skulls should not
have any light escaping from them!
hehe...
--
Kind regards,
Julian Hall
"I'm only on the planet because I missed the bus home"
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| Re: Re:[I] If somebody tells you, [message #290417 ] |
So, 25 Juni 2006 14:55 |
|
On Fri, 23 Jun 2006 19:25:57 +0000, Aggie Angst wrote:
> I just don't want to come across as sounding
> racist against Indian people. :\
You don't. You sound like someone who recognises the limitations of a
poorly implemented system :)
> Mine was more like:
> Tech: Click Run, then typ regedit.
> Me: Eep! No!
> Tech: It will not hurt your computer! It will make it run better!
*thinks to self* If you believe that, can I interest you in this nice
shiny bridge?
> Me: You bastard!
That was kind :) I've had somewhat more vitriolic responses to lesser
problems :)
> Okay, that's handy to know. I already have the instruction book and the
> worried look.
Well as Richard pointed out, my observation only holds for those who don't
use a hammer when building a PC. I'm assuming you're one of those (who
don't) due to observed intelligence in your posts :)
> Even for a 2000 XP?
Re: bootdisks: For any OS really. It's amazing how many £1000+ boxes can
display all the attributes fo a boat anchor which could be rescued with a
10p bt of plastic.
> Of course there are a bunch of old computers at
> work that for some reason people look to me to fix. I have no idea why.
> I guess it's cuz I know where the ON switch is. :\ That ought to help
> out there. Course my new pewt has no A: drive, just a CD port.
Well you an still make a boot CD to help you out. The website I mentioned
has images for boot CDs of all descriptions.
> Unless you want to screw up the registry!
Oh yeah it's the *perfect* tool for just that eventuality ;)
--
Kind regards,
Julian Hall
"I'm only on the planet because I missed the bus home"
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| Re: [I] If somebody tells you, [message #291172 ] |
Di, 27 Juni 2006 09:07 |
|
CeltiKaos wrote:
> No they are a major nationwide computer retailer. They just have
> second-hand staff who are notorious for being thick as the result of
> animal feed negotiating the digestive tract of a member of the porcine
> species.
I worked there as a shelf-stacker. Its not quite that bad, but they
definately hire the sales staff for dibbleresque sales talk rather than
any PC knowledge.
I used to occasionally take customers aside and talk them through what
they *really* needed out if sight of the sales staff, in the software
section.
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| Re: [I] If somebody tells you, [message #291231 ] |
Di, 27 Juni 2006 13:49 |
|
On Tue, 27 Jun 2006 08:07:56 +0100, Kieran Sanders wrote:
> I used to occasionally take customers aside and talk them through what
> they *really* needed out if sight of the sales staff, in the software
> section.
Be careful.. people who know what they're talking about are an endangered
species. Mainly endangered by those who *think* they know what they are
talking about and dislike the snickering when they open their mouths ;)
--
Kind regards,
Julian Hall
"I'm only on the planet because I missed the bus home"
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| Re: Re:[I] If somebody tells you, [message #291250 ] |
Di, 27 Juni 2006 14:59 |
|
"CeltiKaos" <lists [at] munged4usenet.removethatbitohandthisbit.kaotic.co.uk>
wrote in message
news:pan.2006.06.25.12.55.57.414384 [at] munged4usenet.removethatbitohandthisbit.kaotic.co.uk...
> On Fri, 23 Jun 2006 19:25:57 +0000, Aggie Angst wrote:
>
>> I just don't want to come across as sounding
>> racist against Indian people. :\
>
> You don't. You sound like someone who recognises the limitations of a
> poorly implemented system :)
>
>> Mine was more like:
>> Tech: Click Run, then typ regedit.
>> Me: Eep! No!
>> Tech: It will not hurt your computer! It will make it run better!
>
> *thinks to self* If you believe that, can I interest you in this nice
> shiny bridge?
>
>> Me: You bastard!
>
> That was kind :) I've had somewhat more vitriolic responses to lesser
> problems :)
>
>> Okay, that's handy to know. I already have the instruction book and the
>> worried look.
>
> Well as Richard pointed out, my observation only holds for those who don't
> use a hammer when building a PC. I'm assuming you're one of those (who
> don't) due to observed intelligence in your posts :)
>
Flattery works.
So do bribes.
;)
Aggie
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| Re: [I] If somebody tells you, [message #291252 ] |
Di, 27 Juni 2006 14:19 |
|
Kieran Sanders cypher1 [at] doomstone.co.uk wrote in <Pd-
dnVXrOeS6RD3ZRVnyrg [at] bt.com>:
>
> <PC World>
>
> I worked there as a shelf-stacker. Its not quite that bad, but they
> definately hire the sales staff for dibbleresque sales talk rather than
> any PC knowledge.
>
> I used to occasionally take customers aside and talk them through what
> they *really* needed out if sight of the sales staff, in the software
> section.
>
"If I were you, Sir, I'd get out of here quick before the sales staff see
you and try to sell you something."
--
eric
www.ericjarvis.co.uk
"live fast, die only if strictly necessary"
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| Re: [I] Sales staff (was: If somebody tells you,) [message #292494 ] |
Mi, 28 Juni 2006 22:09 |
|
Eric Jarvis wrote:
>
> "If I were you, Sir, I'd get out of here quick before the sales staff see
> you and try to sell you something."
>
I can't be the only person out there who seeks out sales staff and gets
them to sell me X style of product for A and B use, preferably without C...
Ah, Sales of Goods Act (UK), how I love thee...
--
Supermouse
Ask not for whom the cheese rolls...
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| Re: Re:[I] If somebody tells you, [message #292695 ] |
Do, 29 Juni 2006 17:01 |
|
On Tue, 27 Jun 2006 12:59:14 +0000, Aggie Angst wrote:
> Flattery works.
> So do bribes.
> ;)
> Aggie
Flattery is embellishment of the truth in pursuit of a hidden agenda. I'm
not embellishing just obeserving, and I have no hidden agenda :)[1]
--
Kind regards,
Julian Hall
"I'm only on the planet because I missed the bus home"
[1] On the other hand 'flattery works', in what way? ;)
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| Re: [I] If somebody tells you, [message #292698 ] |
Do, 29 Juni 2006 17:13 |
|
CeltiKaos wrote:
> :)[1]
I was going to reply to your footnote here, but since you put it beneath
the sig separator, it gets automatically removed when I hit Reply. This
is a feature of many newsreaders, and convention suggests that no actual
content is present beneath the sig separator.
But on this occasion, I'll copy-and-paste from the original post, just
because.
> [1] On the other hand 'flattery works', in what way? ;)
Michael Flattery works in mass dancing (to be generous - it's more like
synchronised spasm attacks).
Orjan
--
The Tale of Westala and Villtin
http://tale.cunobaros.com/
Fiction, Thoughts and Software
http://www.cunobaros.com/
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