You didn't fix it

[PepperElf]

Quick one from work:

I've started answering the phones which maybe wasn't a good idea....

Sometimes it's pleasant and I get to set up in-home service for a kind elderly woman, but other times I get people who don't understand computers....


Caller:
Me:

Caller: *phones in for update on computer*
Me: *looks through system and finds the status* We're awaiting your decision on getting a new HDD.
Caller: !!! It was fine when we sent it to you!!!

I try to explain... she sent the computer in because it was very slow. The techs found that her HDD was starting to fail and would need to be replaced in order to fix it.

So... she decided we were bad because we "didn't fix it" and didn't want to hear any mumbo jumbo about replacing her HDD. Then she wanted her money back for the diagnostic too.... since we "didn't fix it". O_o

I don't remember if they gave it back to her when she showed up to take her computer back. Maybe.

All I can think is... "no shit they didn't fix it - the part that's causing your issue is the HDD which you don't want replaced". But of course I never say stuff like that.

[Naaman]

And, obviously, now it will be your fault when it does die, taking all her data with it.

Heads they win...

[Betweenshades]

It was fine when we sent it to you!!!

Which is always the reason to take something in for repair.

[PepperElf]

Exactly. It's not our fault she didn't like the diagnosis. And hell all she was going to have to pay for was the new HDD but nope, not good enough.

[lineswine]

Usual story..."It's slooooow!"
HOWEVER, you get to the root cause HDDon its' way out) & suddenly it is running at top speed, everything opens like lightning etc. & it is All.Your.Fault.
Nice try, no prize - the PC was on its' arse already, not the SC can't/won't see that...not at all.

[Moirae]

I'd love to know what people think a tech can actually DO in those cases. You don't just "fix it" with an HDD. You buy a new one and transfer the old data. The cost to fix the failing HDD would be astronomical and you'd lose all the stuff on it anyway.

[emax4]

Just a general question, and I don't mean to hijack this, but how long should a typical HDD usually last? Does the lifespan depend on the speed (5400? 7200?) i know things like damaged blocks would cause me to start looking for a replacement, but I treat my HDDs with care. My computer is on for at least 3 hours during the day, a little more on weekends.

Now that I have a SSD for a main boot drive for Windows and Mac, I just use my regular HDDs to store data and backups I don't want on the main SSD.

[Moirae]

Depends on the HDD. Most will usually last at least a couple of years, probably five years (though that may be pushing it). If its an SSD (Solid State Drive like the ones used in thumb drives but alot better) will many many many thousands of writes (a static SSD is slower but will last longer, like 5 years. A dynamic drive is much faster but will maybe last 2 years.).

I personally suggest you replace it every three years. Its a nice safe number. After that, it may start to give you problems. Of course, sometimes hardware problems happen and they may also last only a couple of months but instances like that are rare.

I suggest getting a portable HDD and using it to back up the important information on your drive once a week to once a month so you don't lose it. Don't use the drive for ANYTHING else because it will wear down sooner.

I have a portable HDD that I use at work (that way I can use my chrome to surf the net), and it sees so much use, I'm surprised it hasn't crashed by now. But I've only had it about a year or so.

SSD's are currently the fastest drives on the market. They are also MUCH more expensive than a standard HDD. If you want your money's worth, the best standard HDD is the Velociraptor. Its really fast, and not nearly as expensive as an SSD.

The best SSD on the market that I'm aware of will last 1,000,000 hours but is nearly $10,000. The best Velociraptor is $6100.

[Bright_Star]

Quick one from work:

I've started answering the phones which maybe wasn't a good idea....

Sometimes it's pleasant and I get to set up in-home service for a kind elderly woman, but other times I get people who don't understand computers....


Caller:
Me:

Caller: *phones in for update on computer*
Me: *looks through system and finds the status* We're awaiting your decision on getting a new HDD.
Caller: !!! It was fine when we sent it to you!!!

I try to explain... she sent the computer in because it was very slow. The techs found that her HDD was starting to fail and would need to be replaced in order to fix it.

So... she decided we were bad because we "didn't fix it" and didn't want to hear any mumbo jumbo about replacing her HDD. Then she wanted her money back for the diagnostic too.... since we "didn't fix it". O_o

I don't remember if they gave it back to her when she showed up to take her computer back. Maybe.

All I can think is... "no shit they didn't fix it - the part that's causing your issue is the HDD which you don't want replaced". But of course I never say stuff like that.

Maybe you should say stuff like that...that'll learn em...lol.

[PepperElf]

yeah it'll learn them... all the way to the manager, then then on to me about being rude.

i might not really want this job exactly, but ... well it does give me money.