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fix a computer

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by skyshadow_5

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as a student, my instructor give me a situation like this. a client called me to fix his computer,at that juncture the only available tool was a screw driver,..no installer,no bootdisk available...but the problem was the hard disk was formatted by the user...there's no partition on hdd...
How can i fix/troubleshoot the PC?
i appreciate any tips given here.... thanx

9 replies

by charliespencer

Use the screwdriver to open the case and remove the hard drive. Then take it back where you left the tools you should have brought with you. Be sure to charge the client for mileage on the unnecessary trip. While driving, practice saying "Would you like fries with that?". The guy next to you flipping the burgers will be your instructor.

This is an absolutely pointless exercise. Why would you show up with just a screwdriver? Instead of this nonsense, why isn't your instructor discussing standard tools you should bring when going on a repair call?

"Hey, Teacher! Leave them kids alone!"

by jdmercha

1. How can you format a drive with no partition?
2. If you already know what the problem is, then there is no troubleshooting involved.
3. How can you fix a problem without knowing the desired outcome? I mean; does the computer need an OS? what OS does it need? What other software does it need?

by stress junkie

OK so we know the trouble so no shooting is involved but the post also asked for a fix if possible.

You can't do anything useful with just a screwdriver. You will need some software tools.

If by format you mean that the partition table was altered so that no partitions are defined then it may be possible to use a utility like fdisk to recreate the partition and reboot to see if the file system shows up. (Sun OS/Solaris uses a utility called format to create partition tables.) So you would need a bootable floppy or CDROM with a compatible fdisk utility.

Otherwise my advice is to stick that screwdriver where the Sun never shines, and by that I mean inside the floppy disk drive, and then reboot. :D

Or just walk away. The client isn't going to be happy no matter what you do so just get the heck out of there and don't look back. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

by maxwell edison

.
A drive can't be formatted without a partition. And you can't create a partition without some sort of boot disk.

There is no solution to a false dilemma. Depending on the entirety of the question, perhaps you should approach it in such a way.

And to help you on your way, do a Web search for Kobayashi Maru, which might give you some ideas for your assignment. Captain Kirk always found the answer -- even to a false dilemma.

by antuck

Dude your getting a Dell.

If the customer doesn't have the OS disk there is nothing you can do. There is something very odd about this. The drive was formatted but no partition?? Has to have some kind of partition to be able to format. You as a tech only have a screw driver to troubleshoot.

I wouldn't take the call because you will only make the customer angry by charging them for nothing. Unless this is a dummy terminal. But since you stated the drive was formatted, I would'nt think of a dummy terminal.

by master3bs

I agree with just about everything written here so far. Here's what I don't understand.

In this scenerio are you providing phone side tech support? If so there isn't much at all to do except refer to OEM, or otherwise have the customer get his hands on an OS disk.

If you are providing on site service, then the first answer is the best one.

by jdmercha

If we assume you are providing phone tech support, and the customer is not an employee, I can envision this senario.

The fact that the only tool you have access to is a screw driver is irrelevant, since you are nowhere near the computer and can only offer phone support.

If we assume the customer has reformatted his drive and removed the partitions, we can also assume that the customer must have a boot disk, otherwise he could not have removed the partitions.

The solution then would be to have the customer use his boot disk to create a new partition, reformat and reload his software.

by ozi eagle

I'm assuming that its an onsite visit. Not sure about how you came to know that the client formatted and deleted the partition, but what I would say is that the machine is totally screwed up, it can't be fixed on site and you will take it back to the shop for repair. (don't say / imply that the client is a d**kh**d for messing around with it and not knowing what they were doing)
Use the screwdriver to unscrew any plugs at the back that don't have knurled ends on them.

by yetanotheradmin

Use it to replace the flux capacitor and then get on your jet-powered rocket pants and junior birdman the hell out of there!

Unless the user has suitable media......

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