Dateline: How to catch a nerd

[JC Viper]

I was reading some stuff from Slashdot.org as a usual routine and came across this posting Getting Gouged by Geeks. Basically this is a news story by the CBC who foul up a computer RAM module and go around exposing the geeky con-artists. Some of the techs suggested that the PC not starting up could be a problem with a motherboard or CPU burnt out. The other part was a corrupted file in which a so-called expert suggested a reinstall of Windows would be the best option.

Link to slashdot
http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/10/04/2222216


Now I'm a bit peeved because these snobby sounding "experts" from Humber college are saying that the RAM problem is an easy fix and that they discredit people who just read a book on it as poor techs. The latter describes me, though I began my hands on self training when my old Packard Bell died in 1996 and I've become really proficient at diagnosing many PC problems including my own.

I hate the fact that RAM problems and lack of booting or powering on is supposedly "easy" to fix. Many times it can be that the CPU has in fact failed or the motherboard can be bad and not give any warnings to the user. $25 for RAM is normal?! (regardless if it's 256MB, what about installation fees and increased mem size since 256 is a bit harder to locate at that price).

Oh man, morons (reporters) who make so much money for fear mongering and those idiots in that college "pee" me off granted some people are scammers but c'mon.

End of half baked rant maybe the comments by slashdotters and the CBC site got to me. It's late time for some more browsing then sleep.

[Gummiente]

I don't have a f***ing clue about anything you just said, but you sound pretty pissed about it. If you need backup for any physical confrontations with the slashram's... or mothergeeks or whatever those guys are called... give me a shout.

[dr_bar]

I don't have a f***ing clue about anything you just said, but you sound pretty pissed about it. If you need backup for any physical confrontations with the slashram's... or mothergeeks or whatever those guys are called... give me a shout.

Damned 1%ers...

[Brackstone]

Ok first of all none of these problems are "Easy" to fix as the report describes them.

The first problem they introduce is putting bad ram into a desktop and have people come to the house to check it out.

Nobody is going to carry around ram that is compatible for EVERY computer. There is a plethora of different types of ram. Almost anyone will want to take that computer back to the shop where they can try all the different ram.

The only thing you could've done is if they had TWO sticks of ram, taken one out and see if it booted, if they didn't work, take the other one out and see if that boots up.

I'm assuming that was in the computer which is why a few of the techs could find the solution. The prices they are being charged are high? Yeah of course, it's just like going to a repair shop for parts instead of buying them online. They'll always overcharge you. Do I think it's right? No, some people are charging too much, but it's gonna happen.

Just ask the tech what you need, write it down, and order it yourself. It's that simple.

The second problem where they introduce a corrupted file into the system then drop it off at the shops.

Most of the shops come to the conclusion that it's a virus. That's a correct diagnosis. Why would you assume that someone would go in and corrupt their own file? Sometimes over time an operating system can mess itself up a bit but anytime I see a corrupted file on it I'm going to assume the worst that there is a virus even if I can't find one. I'll tell you to re-install your operating system and get anti-virus if you don't have it.

Why? Well I don't want you coming back in 2 weeks when it happens again in case it WAS a virus.

I just read an article in consumer reports that did a national poll on doctors on prescribing tests. Doctor's admitted that 80% of the tests they tell patients to take are probably unnecessary.

Now who has your best interest in mind? Is the doctor prescribing the test because he is afraid that there is a 1% chance it's something serious? Or are they doing it just to avoid a Malpractice suit?

Same thing with the geeks. Are they being overly cautious? Or just trying to make a buck?

It's hard to tell but I'm sure there is a mix of everything in this situation.

[OT Geek Rant]

The best thing you can do is have a friend repair your computer. But please as a geek talking to anyone who can't fix their own computer let me give you this advice. Repay them somehow. It doesn't have to be money, or something big. Just a bit something more than a thanks.

I've been disappointed by friends again and again after repairing their systems spending sometimes the better part of a few days. Then when I say "Hey I need to move some furniture" it's usually "Oh I wish I could but I have this thing I need to go to" or whatever

A lot of people have the misconception that because you are sitting down or lying down and not doing a lot of physical labor that it's no big deal. I'm sure people on here have a good understanding because they've probably had at one point some complicated mechanical device sitting on a bench somewhere. Sure you're not holding it UP while you work on it, but I'm sure it's very tedious in some areas.

People that are geeks get asked to repair computers a lot. I'm sure there are some altruists out there who really DON'T mind spending their time fixing your computer. But the majority of us do have other things we want to do an we're probably just too nice to ask for a favor.

[End of OT Geek Rant]

[roscowgo]

You got a point. When i first ventured into geekland I got the usual.....hey can I ask you yadda yadda yadda. Can you fix blah blah blah etc....

Friends get a pass. My friends are the type that would give you the shirt off their backs though.

Parents/relatives get a pass too.


Everybody else I tell, that'll be a 70$ bench fee and 50/hr after that, results not guranteed and I have no estimated time of repair. I even have a couple of lil hand drawn contracts I keep handy for em to sign. They generally leave me alone. I do point em toward the yellow pages and computer repair shops though.

Well....random forum tips and opinions don't count.

I mean really I do this for a living. Every day. All day. Then I go home and do some more of it for the above mentioned people. Then I do a touch of it for myself when i hose something. I suspect anyone with specialized knowledge gets the same questions. Mechanics, Drs, vets etc...

I don't mind a bit doing the occasional favor. And advice doesn't bother me. Will I come to your house and install a firewalled gigabit ethernet LAN complete with an exhange server, and then administer it when you let your database get beyond two gigs....No.

[Nibblet99]

The best thing you can do is have a friend repair your computer.

Agreed, but make sure they know what they're doing. And don't be afraid to ask what they're doing, why, and also ask them not to do something if it just sounds wrong.
I've seen a few bodged attempts before now, (thankfully from friends of friends I've never met). Such as the cd drive that wasn't reading disks, so instead of cleaning the optics, the technotwat put 2 discs in at once to make it "more reflective". The result was the discs jammed the spindle and burnt out the motor.

But please as a geek talking to anyone who can't fix their own computer let me give you this advice. Repay them somehow. It doesn't have to be money, or something big. Just a bit something more than a thanks.

I've been disappointed by friends again and again after repairing their systems spending sometimes the better part of a few days. Then when I say "Hey I need to move some furniture" it's usually "Oh I wish I could but I have this thing I need to go to" or whatever

A lot of people have the misconception that because you are sitting down or lying down and not doing a lot of physical labor that it's no big deal. I'm sure people on here have a good understanding because they've probably had at one point some complicated mechanical device sitting on a bench somewhere. Sure you're not holding it UP while you work on it, but I'm sure it's very tedious in some areas.

People that are geeks get asked to repair computers a lot. I'm sure there are some altruists out there who really DON'T mind spending their time fixing your computer. But the majority of us do have other things we want to do an we're probably just too nice to ask for a favor.

Completely agree here I've wasted countless hours helping out others, and not had the kindness returned. such as 1 nameless person wanting to charge me £20 for a 30 sec welding job when I'd spent ~6 hours sorting out their laptop a few weeks before.

I've got a lot more time to myself these days, its great.

If someone wants 2 minutes of advice on how to deal with an issue, absolutley fine, but if they're not a close friend/family, my standard response is "£70" the second they ask me to take a look at something.

[ofblong]

lol and yet the most misdiagnosed problem is the PSU. NO ONE ever thinks of looking at the PSU and usually that ends up being the problem. at least in the cases I have seen.

[Nibblet99]

Yup had that one. Try diagnosing one where one of the PSU's voltage rails is 1volt less that is should be.... Causes all kinds of wierd stuff

My favourite was the one where the connector to the power button on the front had come loose.

[Brackstone]

Yup had that one. Try diagnosing one where one of the PSU's voltage rails is 1volt less that is should be.... Causes all kinds of wierd stuff

My favourite was the one where the connector to the power button on the front had come loose.

I had a lady call up my old job in a PANIC because she couldn't get her computer to turn on. She worked for a local TV host who is a big name, well as big as you can get for state wide TV.

So I go flying over with a PSU all sorts of doodads I go up to the room and she's like "Here it is over here". I stop and go "Hmmm...I see what the problem is".

The front of the ladies case was slightly leaning forward so when she pushed the power button NOTHING happened. Call me crazy but when you push a power button and you feel the CLICK and nothing happens you panic. But when you push the power button and then it just comes back without a click? I mean check to see if the case is on

I pushed the case in and pushed the button and it turned on. She was like "That was it?!". She was a nice lady though, but was still funny.

[ofblong]

Yup had that one. Try diagnosing one where one of the PSU's voltage rails is 1volt less that is should be.... Causes all kinds of wierd stuff

My favourite was the one where the connector to the power button on the front had come loose.

I had a lady call up my old job in a PANIC because she couldn't get her computer to turn on. She worked for a local TV host who is a big name, well as big as you can get for state wide TV.

So I go flying over with a PSU all sorts of doodads I go up to the room and she's like "Here it is over here". I stop and go "Hmmm...I see what the problem is".

The front of the ladies case was slightly leaning forward so when she pushed the power button NOTHING happened. Call me crazy but when you push a power button and you feel the CLICK and nothing happens you panic. But when you push the power button and then it just comes back without a click? I mean check to see if the case is on

I pushed the case in and pushed the button and it turned on. She was like "That was it?!". She was a nice lady though, but was still funny.

LOL thats like me going to a machine that wont run at work and just hitting the reset button and the start button and it takes off. Happens all the time. Then they feel all stupid but I just shake it off and say "Job security if you didnt do something like this I wouldnt have a job" lol.