Hardware

Computer bloopers and blunders from the technically clueless

By // August 27, 2010, 3:41 AM PST // billdetwiler

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  • Safest way to buy online by credit card

    VISA - It's just everywhere! Trying to buy something on-line, I suppose. No wonder it didn't work - note the card hasn't even been activated yet.

    From 1994 to 2002 Rod Shelley worked as a PC technician at a major computer retail store in the US. After seeing all kinds of wacky, operator-induced computer issues, Shelley decided to start documenting them. He wanted to inject a little humor into the often-frustrating world of technology and hopefully educate a few of the technically clueless along the way.

    In 2000, Rod published his collection of humorous photos online under the title "Stupid Computer Tricks". In 2002, his gallery turned into an overnight success. Unfortunately, due to bandwidth concerns and a series of hosting problems, Shelley was forced to take the gallery down.

    Lucky for us, Rod has graciously allowed TechRepublic to republish his photos. I've added titles to most of the photos, but the captions come straight from Rod. You can learn more about Rod and read his musings about photography, technology, and computer repair on his Web site--Rod's Lair.

    Note: TechRepublic first published this photo gallery on April 24, 2008.

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • The more modems the better!

    Here's a new activity - let's see how many modems we can load into device manager. Maybe we can load more web pages this way?

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • Two CDs is better than one

    Save time - insert two CDs at the same time!

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • Unfriendly autoexec.bat

    The autoexec.bat file isn't used much anymore in these non-DOS days. This one was used once. If I was this guy, I'd take stock of my circle of friends.

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • When in doubt - yank out the cord

    This poor sap couldn't figure out how to unplug the telephone line from his modem. Solution? Just yank out the whole connector block. Then, get a shock when the service center won't cover the modem under warranty!

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • Insert CD into drive D and a half

    What was the complaint here you ask? It "Won't read CDs..." Gee - I wonder why? "Insert CD-ROM in drive D½:"?

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • The front cover won't fit (1 of 2)



    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • This front cover won't fit (2 of 2)

    This is what happens when you replace an OEM drive with a standard one!

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • Rubber band floppy drive

    This laptop floppy drive was "choking" on a large rubber band!

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • Uhhh.....Is this an error?

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • Just a little dust

    "Grampa Computer" appears to need a shave! This was brought to the service center because the floppy drive was intermittent. I can't imagine why.

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • Desktop icon overload

    "Wadd'ya mean 'out of memory?' I still have some room on my screen!"

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • Shattered laptop screen

    The owner of this shattered laptop was actually expecting this to be covered under warranty!

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • Two My Computer shortcut too many

    Three shortcuts - all to the same place! Just in case they get confused...

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • Antistatic bags? We don't need no stinking antistatic bags!

    This motherboard was mailed to our service center in this nice box--wrapped in a plastic bag and cushioned by static-generating foam! The letter asked us to check the board for problems. If it didn't have any problems before, I'm sure it does now!

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • Mysterious black spots

    The story on this one? "I don't know what did this. It was fine, then the next morning, it looked like this!" Right. A gnome crept inside the case, and exploded during the night.

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • Why use two screws when one will do?

    Here's an elegant example of precision hard drive mounting. Hey, it saved 20 cents on screws!

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • Floppy drive slot machine

    Uh, sorry, guy. This is NOT the right slot for this casino token! My service manager was watching over my shoulder as I removed this rattling floppy drive from an ailing computer. I shook the drive, and this token fell out. the manager just walked away shaking his head.

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • What? You can delete shortcuts?

    Here's a variation on the multiple shortcuts idea. I guess this is in case they get confused?

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • AOL's biggest fan

    This person really, really, really likes AOL. Really. What they lack in knowledge, they make up for with persistance. Also, note the colorful status bar at the bottom of this screen shot (yes, I know it doesn't hurt anything, but it just looks funny!).

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • Insert Tab A into Slot B

    I don't think there's going to be much data transfer on this guy's network - at least not from this computer. I hope his IT department wasn't responsible for this!

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelly

  • Floppy disk label lock

    Here's another "floppy drive won't read..." problem. Note the disk label. Note the label sealing the disk's protective access cover shut. His Quicken data should be quite safe.

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • Duct tape that hard drive

    Can't get the IDE cable to reach the hard drive? No problem--remember, you can fix anything with duct tape!

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • Lipstick laptop

    Okay - I have NO idea what was behind this one. The red stuff was semi-gooey, like lipstick. Either the kid got into some mischief, or someone ticked off the girlfriend/wife/significant other.

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • It's a 3.5 floppy/mini-CD combo drive!

    Yet more floppy torture. This is almost understandable, but still, there's a reason floppy disks look the way they do, and CDs look the way they do. Duh! That little indentation on the CD drive tray really isn't for holding your coffee! It's for those 3-inch mini-CDs! Roo-Hoo, Scooby-Doo!

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • An IDE cable to nowhere

    This one came in for "Operating system not found." Please note the two blue sockets on the motherboard at bottom center. Note that these are the IDE controller sockets. Note the black socket next to them. That is the floppy drive cable socket. Note that there are no cables in ANY of them! Note the IDE cable going from the hard drive to the CD ROM drive - and nowhere else!

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • Not-so-cool PC case mod

    This is one of those half-size cases. Wanting an add-on (full-size) sound card, this ingenious owner decided to do a little "modification" on the case. Still can't use the game port, though! Try ARC-welding it next time.

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

  • PC repair Jedi

    Rod continues his fight against the dark side.

    Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

Safest way to buy online by credit card

VISA - It's just everywhere! Trying to buy something on-line, I suppose. No wonder it didn't work - note the card hasn't even been activated yet.

From 1994 to 2002 Rod Shelley worked as a PC technician at a major computer retail store in the US. After seeing all kinds of wacky, operator-induced computer issues, Shelley decided to start documenting them. He wanted to inject a little humor into the often-frustrating world of technology and hopefully educate a few of the technically clueless along the way.

In 2000, Rod published his collection of humorous photos online under the title "Stupid Computer Tricks". In 2002, his gallery turned into an overnight success. Unfortunately, due to bandwidth concerns and a series of hosting problems, Shelley was forced to take the gallery down.

Lucky for us, Rod has graciously allowed TechRepublic to republish his photos. I've added titles to most of the photos, but the captions come straight from Rod. You can learn more about Rod and read his musings about photography, technology, and computer repair on his Web site--Rod's Lair.

Note: TechRepublic first published this photo gallery on April 24, 2008.

Credit: Reprinted with permission from Rod Shelley

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About Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Managing Editor of TechRepublic and Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop supp...