I have recently started an IT Support Company in Australia, and we are doing OK. IT has been really interesting to realise how little folks know about the machines they use every day. They have taught me a new rule…
The call: Our brand new $900 USB Scanner won’t work. It work on Jenny’s machine, but not mine! Why?
The examination: USB cable OK, drivers ok, cant do twain acquire. Scanner lights on.
Attempted fixes: Reinstall drivers. No good. Get drivers off net. Reinstall drivers. No good. Remove and reinstall USB Device controller. No good.
This is an expensive scanner, and although I know that most USB Scanners don’t need mains power, this one has a juicy light source… turn scanner around, sure enough, there is the little holewhere the power cord goes. NOT PLUGGED IN! ARGH!!
The call: My laptop modem says there is no dialtone but the phone line is fine and plugged into the computer.
Examination: Go through all the rigmarole of confirming dialup networking is ok. *Lightbulb* Q.Is the cord a little bit loose in the computer socket? A. Yes. Reply: Now look around the back of your computer, take the phone line out of the ethernet socket and plug it ito the modem socket. ARGH! NOT PLUGGED IN!
The Call: Soundcard is all wierd and squelchy, like it has a tunnel effect running.
Examination: Check it all out, sound is indeed strange. Test on multi audio apps. All the same.
Reinstall audio driver still the same. Remove device, reinstall. Thats not it. Realise that the first thing I should have done was see if it was plugged in. Nice and snug. Hmmm. Follow audio lead to back of amplified speakers, where it PLUGS into the back of the speaker with the little amp in it. The cable is Juuuuuuust resting in the socket… resulting in wierd distorted sound (amazingly through both channels!)
lesson: STEP 1: get story from client. STEP 2: IS IT PLUGGED IN??!