Easiest callout ever.

[Arucard]

I just had to share this. My first original story here.

I've abbreviated the company names.

I just got back from being called to DCS. They hired CL to install some cold rooms for them, and we were contracted by CL to do the SCADA and PLC systems for them. The SCADA PC started beeping incessantly, which annoyed the DCS guys, so they turned it off. This annoyed the CL guys, as they couldn't dial in to monitor the rooms. A tech from CL went down there this morning to try and fix it. After much playing around they finally decided it must be beeping because of one of the alarms, so they called us to make it stop. I dialled in, muted the sound, and checked that the things that need to be included to make the alarms beep weren't there (because we generally don't make the alarms beep, that's extra work, and very annoying when alarms can be frequent and unimportant), but that didn't fix it, so I drove down there. The moment I heard the PC speaker beeping, I recognised the sound, and pulled the keyboard out of the back. The sound stopped. I then went to the keyboard, and picked up the clipboard that was laying over it, depressing the keys, then filled out my job report and came back :P

[earl colby pottinger]

Seen that too

The moment I heard the PC speaker beeping, I recognised the sound, and pulled the keyboard out of the back. The sound stopped. I then went to the keyboard, and picked up the clipboard that was laying over it, depressing the keys, then filled out my job report and came back :P

Done the same, only in my case it was a monitor tilted so far forward that the vibrations of the desk were sometimes making it hit the ESC key. Turned out the lady using it was very short, solution adjust the height of her chair.

[Shabo]

Just because the people are super smart and can engineer super smart things doesn't mean they can handle simple problems. I have gone on calls like that where the person was really good with computers and had a simple problem, and they always feel so embarrassed afterwards.

[Horsetuna]

I agree with Shabo, but nice for the quick fix.

I had to call tech support for lexmark once because my printer wouldnt' work. Turns out I hadn't pushed the cartridge in all the way into the thingy that holds it in the printer. Doh.

[Shabo]

I personally hate the calls that sound like they will be simple, quick fixes and turn out to be horribly long, drawn out calls. And you always pick the "quick" ones right before lunch. Or the other people in the office are like, "Hey, while you're here..."

I think that's the line I hate to hear the most, because it usually gets said like 5 times over, for 5 different people with 5 different problems. And then you get back to your office, and your boss was like, "Why did it take you an hour and a half to do this incredibly simple task?"

[Andara Bledin]

Ah, the good old "stop leaning on the keyboard" beeping.

My boss gets that all the time when he dumps his paperwork on his desk. It's been often enough that he knows what it is and can fix it on his own, now.

^-.-^

[ta2ooed1]

"Hey, while you're here..."

I think that's the line I hate to hear the most, because it usually gets said like 5 times over, for 5 different people with 5 different problems.

I used to get this one so frequently I started eating lunch at my desk so I could eat in peace.

[Bagga]

When I worked at Tandy/Radioshack, a really angry customer was blaming our computers for ruining his business. In the end my manager had to go to fix them for him, a round trip of about 70 miles.

His troubleshooting of this problem that might cause the downfall of the company was to turn the printer on. At the socket in the wall....

My manager thought it was well worth all the trouble just for the joy of actually seeing the customer's face when the "fault" was discovered.

[Bandit]

Just because the people are super smart and can engineer super smart things doesn't mean they can handle simple problems.

I know that one.

Once had a call for a guy that could design graphics chips in his head - but couldn't understand why nobody could hear him if he used the "hands-free" part of his phone.

As soon as I moved the three inches of paper from in front of the microphone, the problem suddenly cleared up.

Shocking, I know.

And yes, he became a "repeat customer". Easy fix, but a pain in the arse as he was high enough up in the food chain to warrant attention.

B

[HawaiianShirts]

Free Association Complaints

I have gone on calls like that where the person was really good with computers and had a simple problem, and they always feel so embarrassed afterwards.

It seems to me, though, that they rarely act embarrassed. They'll usually cover it up with anger. Sometimes that's directed at me (because I sold them the confusing computer) or my co-workers (because they pointed out the customer's error by fixing the problem) or Bill Gates. That's the one that always throws me for a loop.

Clueless Customer: Hey, I just unplugged my brand new laptop, and it turned off!
Me: You're sure it's off and not just in hibernation mode?
CC: No, it went off the moment I unplugged it. I thought these things were supposed to be portable!
Me: Is your battery connected properly?
CC: Don't these come with a battery?
Me: Yes, they do, but it's usually in a separate part of the box and not connected to the computer when you first buy it.
CC: Really? *rustle rustle rustle* Oh, THERE it is. Why don't they just put it right in the computer?
Me: Well, I think...
CC: Damn that Bill Gates. He's just after more money. Thanks, bud. *click*

True, Bill Gates probably wants more money, just like everybody else. But I fail to see the connection between him and your battery.

Or

CC: I want to use wireless internet in my house.
Me: Okay. Do you have high speed internet now, like DSL or cable?
CC: No, that's why I want wireless.
Me: Ah, I see. Well, you have to have some form of high speed internet before you can have wireless access in your house. See, wireless is typically just high speed internet broadcast on a short range through a wireless router.
CC: Ugh. I hate Microsoft.

Buh?

[JustADude]

It seems to me, though, that they rarely act embarrassed. They'll usually cover it up with anger. Sometimes that's directed at me (because I sold them the confusing computer) or my co-workers (because they pointed out the customer's error by fixing the problem) or Bill Gates. That's the one that always throws me for a loop.

HawaiianShirts, I think you got the examples wrong. I'm pretty sure Shabo is talking about a person who actually knows what they're doing, like you, me, and the others that post on this particular forum.

[HawaiianShirts]

HawaiianShirts, I think you got the examples wrong. I'm pretty sure Shabo is talking about a person who actually knows what they're doing, like you, me, and the others that post on this particular forum.

Yeah, I know. The wireless internet girl was just clueless. I mentioned her because of her complaining about Microsoft. But the battery guy I would have expected more from. He installs and repairs furnaces and air conditioners for some local company, but he also comes into the store quite often for printable DVDs and Epson ink because he makes and edits wedding videos as a hobby/side business.

[BravoOrig]

I hate the ones where a customer says they have a simple question or whatever, and it turns out to be something about making their car fly back in time to 1945 so that they can go into outerspace on a vacuum cleaner. Its NEVER simple when they say it will be!

I personally hate the calls that sound like they will be simple, quick fixes and turn out to be horribly long, drawn out calls. And you always pick the "quick" ones right before lunch. Or the other people in the office are like, "Hey, while you're here..."

I think that's the line I hate to hear the most, because it usually gets said like 5 times over, for 5 different people with 5 different problems. And then you get back to your office, and your boss was like, "Why did it take you an hour and a half to do this incredibly simple task?"

[Shabo]

I hate the ones where a customer says they have a simple question or whatever, and it turns out to be something about making their car fly back in time to 1945 so that they can go into outerspace on a vacuum cleaner. Its NEVER simple when they say it will be!

Hell, who doesn't want to fly their car back in time to go into outerspace on a vacuum cleaner?

[Kilamon]

CC: I want to use wireless internet in my house.
Me: Okay. Do you have high speed internet now, like DSL or cable?
CC: No, that's why I want wireless.
Me: Ah, I see. Well, you have to have some form of high speed internet before you can have wireless access in your house. See, wireless is typically just high speed internet broadcast on a short range through a wireless router.
CC: Ugh. I hate Microsoft.

Buh?

Translation: Ugh. I am cave man and have little concept of anything you just said but will try to throw out buzzword to sound smart.