Where'd you get your degree, out of the newspaper?!
BACKSTORY: Based on trolling the vendor forums and my own experience, I found it's best to uninstall any IE/Firefox toolbars and clear any un-needed startup processes in MSCONFIG before installing any of our store-licensed antivirus software. Not only does it make the computer and browser run a lot faster but it reduces the chance of freezups / crashes. Plus they might interfere with the antivirus software so disabling them lessens the chance of that.
Anyway, after I remoted in to this SC's PC (or really her mother's PC) I was about to do that when the SC stopped me.
SC: I do NOT want you to remove toolbars. The browser works fine and they never crash it.
Me: That may be true for now, but you do also they're spyware as well, right?
SC: That's blatantly untrue and slanderous, just don't remove them ok?
Me: *Goes to show her I'm going to clear startup, gave her the reasons.*
SC: This computer has been running FINE with all the default startup processes running! Do not clear startup!
Me: Um, not only will it lessen the chance of freezups / crashes but it will make the computer boot up a lot faster, and lessen the chance of them possibly conflicting with the antivirus software.
SC: Did you not hear me? Startup does not need to be cleared and if you're telling me that startup processes mess with your software then that means it's junk and needs to be returned!
Me: I'm just trying to help. I don't know why you're being resistant to it.
SC: I'M A COMPUTER ENGINEER! I DON'T APPRECIATE YOU TALKING TO ME LIKE A FREAKIN' IDIOT!
SC then was questioning why I decided to just uninstall-reinstall the software instead of fighting with a corrupted install, I flat out told her I'm not going to fight with a corrupted install while I gleefully downloaded the removal tool for said software. SC then put her husband on (who was not very talkative, thank goodness) and I did a clean install of the software. Of course, when I rebooted the PC took 4 minutes to start up (due to all the startup processes) but hey, SC is a computer engineer and I'm just a tech support peon so what do I know.
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And as a bonus, here's 2 quickies:
1. The Vista-to-7 car analogy:
A customer wanted to know what the difference was between Vista and 7 since they're both based on the same essential code base. So, I give him my "car analogy:"
Me: Imagine that Vista was a car that had a lot of hype, but was released with a crummy interior, a problematic transmission and a weak engine. 7 is the same car but redesigned with a sleeker look, much better interior, a more powerful motor and a transmission that's problem free.
Customer: The Chrysler 300?
Me: I've seen the spy shots of the 2011 model so yeah, pretty much.
2. Well that backfired....
Client was complaining that her 2 month old computer got infected by a virus and OMG how could a 2 month old PC be infected by a virus OH NOES!
Me: At MIT which is a famous tech school, one of their students bought a computer off the shelf and decided to see how long it would take to get the computer infested. He hooked it up, started surfing and within 30 minutes he was infested. So it doesn't matter how new/old a PC is, the risk is the same.
SC: Even more reason to sell this junk on ebay and get a Mac.
Me: Macs aren't immune to viruses either, if they were there would be no reason for Symantec and others to make Mac antivirus software.
SC: Whatever, windows apologist.
BACKSTORY: Based on trolling the vendor forums and my own experience, I found it's best to uninstall any IE/Firefox toolbars and clear any un-needed startup processes in MSCONFIG before installing any of our store-licensed antivirus software. Not only does it make the computer and browser run a lot faster but it reduces the chance of freezups / crashes. Plus they might interfere with the antivirus software so disabling them lessens the chance of that.
Anyway, after I remoted in to this SC's PC (or really her mother's PC) I was about to do that when the SC stopped me.
SC: I do NOT want you to remove toolbars. The browser works fine and they never crash it.
Me: That may be true for now, but you do also they're spyware as well, right?
SC: That's blatantly untrue and slanderous, just don't remove them ok?
Me: *Goes to show her I'm going to clear startup, gave her the reasons.*
SC: This computer has been running FINE with all the default startup processes running! Do not clear startup!
Me: Um, not only will it lessen the chance of freezups / crashes but it will make the computer boot up a lot faster, and lessen the chance of them possibly conflicting with the antivirus software.
SC: Did you not hear me? Startup does not need to be cleared and if you're telling me that startup processes mess with your software then that means it's junk and needs to be returned!
Me: I'm just trying to help. I don't know why you're being resistant to it.
SC: I'M A COMPUTER ENGINEER! I DON'T APPRECIATE YOU TALKING TO ME LIKE A FREAKIN' IDIOT!
SC then was questioning why I decided to just uninstall-reinstall the software instead of fighting with a corrupted install, I flat out told her I'm not going to fight with a corrupted install while I gleefully downloaded the removal tool for said software. SC then put her husband on (who was not very talkative, thank goodness) and I did a clean install of the software. Of course, when I rebooted the PC took 4 minutes to start up (due to all the startup processes) but hey, SC is a computer engineer and I'm just a tech support peon so what do I know.
----
And as a bonus, here's 2 quickies:
1. The Vista-to-7 car analogy:
A customer wanted to know what the difference was between Vista and 7 since they're both based on the same essential code base. So, I give him my "car analogy:"
Me: Imagine that Vista was a car that had a lot of hype, but was released with a crummy interior, a problematic transmission and a weak engine. 7 is the same car but redesigned with a sleeker look, much better interior, a more powerful motor and a transmission that's problem free.
Customer: The Chrysler 300?
Me: I've seen the spy shots of the 2011 model so yeah, pretty much.
2. Well that backfired....
Client was complaining that her 2 month old computer got infected by a virus and OMG how could a 2 month old PC be infected by a virus OH NOES!
Me: At MIT which is a famous tech school, one of their students bought a computer off the shelf and decided to see how long it would take to get the computer infested. He hooked it up, started surfing and within 30 minutes he was infested. So it doesn't matter how new/old a PC is, the risk is the same.
SC: Even more reason to sell this junk on ebay and get a Mac.
Me: Macs aren't immune to viruses either, if they were there would be no reason for Symantec and others to make Mac antivirus software.
SC: Whatever, windows apologist.
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