- Feb 23, 2005
- 3,100
- 149
- 116
Long story.
This guy comes in at ~11:30AM last Friday acting like some big hotshot wanting us to fix his computer that he just built saying it wouldn't boot. Asked us if we could fix it and if we did he wanted us to set up a RAID 0 and load windows. We (me and my Boss) tell him that we can take a look but since we still had a few computers to get done we probably wouldn't have it done before closing (5 PM) and we are closed Sat-Sun. He asked if we would could just try and get the computer to boot, and if we had enough time, also set up the RAID 0. We said we would try.
Now this was what I call a ?Maximum PC? meaning that he read an issue of Maximum PC, bought every thing they said was ?The best? and tried to build the PC without any idea what he was doing. It had a EVGA 7800GT and EVGA AMD Mainboard in a aluminum case with one of those aquatic side windows that you fill with water and put fake fish in, Neon lights and lighted fans for said case. He cheaped out on most of the parts getting off-brand parts. Not the worst case of Max PC I have seen but still pretty bad.
As soon as I got done laughing at the case and got it open I found why it wouldn't boot, 20pin PSU plugged into a 24pin board. Put in a 24pin PSU and it booted right up. Next problem was the keyboard wouldn't work, boss told me to check the stand-offs and sure enough the was in the wrong spot and was shorting the keyboard. Fixed the stand-off and then made sure every thing was working.
Called the guy telling him what I had found, had had me put in a 500W PSU we had so he could over-clock it (I guess since he failed trying to fry the computer with a PSU he would do it by Ocing it) and to call him back when I was done and give him the final price but also asked if we could drop off the PC since he somehow, in less than an hour, didn't have a car now. I said that we could but would have to charge him extra for it, he said OK. I Put in the new PSU, setup the RAID and did some cable management.
Remember how I said this guy was a real hotshot? Every time I would talk to this guy he sounded like he was real strung out and kept saying ?hook me up and I'll kick some cash your way? right.. Whatever.
So I'm already a bit annoyed with this guy and then I got to have fun trying to find his house. He lived on First street but when I got to the address that Google Maps said was the place I looked around and thought ?... Pretty sure the guy doesn't live in a warehouse.?. After and hour of driving I come to find that there are two First Street's a mile apart, ?1st Street? and ?First Street?. Found the guy's house, setup the computer and gave him the rundown for installing windows on a RAID. He payed the bill and tipped me $15. Woo?
Come Monday, the guy calls saying windows is seeing two HDD instead of one. After spending time on the phone, and though I was pretty sure I did, maybe I didn't set up the RAID correctly and told him to bring back the PC and I would fix it at no charge. He shows up, hands me a post-it note with two Windows XP CD-Keys on it and then tells me to fix the RAID and load windows using one of the keys ?BUT DON'T REGISTER IT. You rock dude!? Then slaps me on the back and Bolted to the door. He had almost left when I said I would have to charge to load windows. He asked me if I could give him a deal on it and I said I couldn't, he goes on about how after him tipping me and not setting up the RAID correctly that I should do it for a discount (normally I would but this guy was an ass). I said I would fix the RAID at no charge but not windows, He said don't bother with windows ?Just get it done!? and left.
Turns out somebody decided to mess around in BIOS and reset every thing to default and thus disabling the RAID. While I was doing that the guy called and talked to my boss, my boss then told me to load Windows and only charge half for it since I messed it up.
I tried to load windows, none of the keys worked. I took out the CD to confirm what I was thinking. I looked at the back of the CD with its crooked, poorly printed inkjet XP graphic and decided that either Microsoft had gotten REALLY cheap or the CD was not 100% legit. Called the guy about it and he decided to buy a copy from us. Loaded windows with all the updates, installed the latest drivers and then ran 3DMark05 and some other tests to make sure the computer wouldn't crap out. Guy sent who I assumed was his girlfriend to pick up the computer.
Today every time the phone rang I dreaded that it would be him saying that his computer broke and he wanted me to fix it. Hours past.. It was almost closing time. I started to think I would never hear the man's name ever again! No such luck.
I didn't talk to him, I had the Senior Tech talk with him. Turns out the guy tried to ?update? the video drivers and somehow screwed up windows and now it won't boot. He wants us to fix it for free or return windows and the PSU since ?there is no reason windows should mess up after one day!?
I was amazed it lasted a day...
Updates coming tomorrow.
Cliffs:
1. guy who is a poopoo head brings in computer that is fuxorzd!
2. I fix the computer.
3. He breaks the computer.
4. I fix the computer.
5. He breaks the computer.
**Update 02-15-06**
So today the guy calls wanting to speak with the owner, he talks with my boss about the computer for a bit and my boss tells him to bring in the pc even though everyone else said we should just tell the guy to piss off.
The computer shows up latter that day and the first thing I notice is the RAID has been deleted, To which the guy latter admits to doing while trying to "fix" windows. There goes the idea of repairing windows... So I set back up the RAID and start to load windows. I load windows and install the latest drivers for the motherboard but after restarting the computer it locked up and just showed a blank screen. So I format the HDD and try the drivers that came with the board and it still locked up.
Now while I'm doing this (For free mind you), computers were literally stacking up around me since I was the only tech working that day and my boss wanted me to put priority on that computer.
Latter on, the senior tech showed up and offered to take the computer off my hands so I could start getting the other computers done. While I franticly tried to get caught-up, he had swapped out the Motherboard and loaded windows back on the computer with all the drivers and then we ran 3dmark05 just to make sure it ran OK. (It scored 7028)
So now I have to call the guy tomorrow and tell him that his board is shot, probably from having a stand-off in the wrong spot, and he will need a new one.
Oh the joy!
**Update 2-17-06**
I got the computer fixed on Thursday. Turns out the guy had a 2nd board sent to him when he thought the first one was bad so he had me put that in and 1GBX2 of RAM he also ordered. While I was trying to get this done (and still trying to get other computers done) the guy was calling every 20min asking if it was done yet. Got to the point I stopped answering the phone and let every one know to tell him I will call him when its done so stop calling! Then he only called every 35min or so.
Got windows loaded, all the updates, drivers ect.. Not counting Friday, I probably spent 15 hours total working on this computer. We normally charge $40 and hour for labor. My boss only charged him $20 ****ing bucks...
So far, no calls from the guy. But I'm sure that will change once he finds out to keep him from screwing with stuff we put a password on BIOS.
**Update 03-01-06**
So it's about 5:25PM, we are closed but me and another tech are staying late to get caught-up. Phone rings and I forget it's after 5 (we stop answering the phones then) and I pick up the phone. Guess who is on the other end?
He tells me that his PSU has fried and he wants to drop it off. I tell him that he will have to drop it off tomorrow since we are closed and just about to head out the door (BS but I really didn't want to deal with the guy tonight), He freaks out saying that he has a skiing trip tomorrow morning at 6AM and then stars going on about how he "dropped a boat load of cash" (We have given the guy over $230 in labor and parts for free, he has spent maybe $150) and how his computer keeps breaking (Lets see, he put in the MB wrong, My fault. MB was bad from being installed wrong, My fault. And now his PSU has "died", Must be my fault again. :disgust: )
Then he wants to speak with the owner, they are both gone. I tell him to hold one for a moment. I lower the phone and put my hand over the mic and I start talking with the other tech since he was asking who it was and I just didn't want to hear that mans voice anymore. Then I start to hear the man YELLING at me and I put the phone upto my ear, He is SCREAMING over and over "I JUST WANT TO DROP IT OFF! I JUST WANT TO DROP IT OFF!!" Like a spoiled three year-old for candy. I tell him we can wait for him to drop it off "THANK YOU" and he hung up.
He dropped off the computer ten minutes later and then left. Booted just fine...
I'm sure I'll have more updates soon.
**Update 3-02-06**
I get into work today and see the computer sitting there, mocking me as I walk by it. After getting more important computers done, I figure it's about time to see what the guy did to screw it up. Didn't take long for me to notice that there are NO inlets for air on the front of the case. In BIOS the CPU (3200+) was idling at 57C and the case temp was 42C. Not that bad but when you take into account the CPU is doing nothing and a 7800GT sitting in that case it wouldn't take long to heat up. We always had the case open when we were working on it so we never noticed it overheating.
I couldn't get into his account to check his settings since there was a password on it. Though there was a password hint, ?North America?... Hmmm... what could it be? I remembered back to when I dropped off his computer, the man really liked his weed. All sorts of posters, magazines and other tings laying about the house that would hint to what he did in his spare time
?Colombia? .... No? Dang, I was sure that would be it.
I called the guys house to leave a message asking him about the password, since he would most likely still be gone skiing. But someone picked up... Guess mike wasn't much of a skier. Told him what I thought the problem was, He suggested that we ?saw a hole in the front a strap on a turbine? I told him that may be a bit drastic and told him to humor the idea of getting a better case. Then I asked him for the password he said it was Colombia, I asked him if he had any caps or numbers in it or spelled it a different way? No...
Me: ?So it's C-O-L-O-M-B-I-A??
Him: ?Yes.... No wait! It's L-U-M-B-I-A, Columbia?
Me: ?...Right. Thanks.?
After that, me and another tech messed around with it for a bit seeing if he was O/Cing the video card and if there was ANY way to let more air in besides taking off drive bay covers, we gave up soon after. Then the guy calls wanting to know how it was going with the pc, I tell him we are pretty much done and he can come pick it up. And then tell him he will have to pay for the work we did on it. He Does his usual 2-3 seconds of silence, as if to say ?WHAT?!?.
Him: ?Well what are we looking at? $20??
Me: ?More like $40?
Him: ?..... $40? Why?!?
Me: ?For the time we spent on the computer?
Him: ?What did you do?? (in a snappy tone)
Me: ?Well we checked out the PSU you bought from us and it was fine so we did a standard diagnostic on the computer. Which is forty dollars.?
I said the last part with a stern tone in my voice, I wanted this guy to know that my boss my be a puss, but he isn't going to pull anymore bulls**t with me. The man was silent for a moment, it felt more like a ?...crap? silence this time and then agreed to pay.
One thing I forgot the put into the rant is the guy didn't have a car. Or one he could drive anyways. He kept saying that he needed to ?get tags for his jag? so he would have someone come and get stuff or get a ride from his friends .
He came in, tossed $40 onto the counter, grabbed his computer, wouldn't wait for a receipt and walked out.
Though I would like the think otherwise; I'm sure it won't be the last time I hear of him.
This guy comes in at ~11:30AM last Friday acting like some big hotshot wanting us to fix his computer that he just built saying it wouldn't boot. Asked us if we could fix it and if we did he wanted us to set up a RAID 0 and load windows. We (me and my Boss) tell him that we can take a look but since we still had a few computers to get done we probably wouldn't have it done before closing (5 PM) and we are closed Sat-Sun. He asked if we would could just try and get the computer to boot, and if we had enough time, also set up the RAID 0. We said we would try.
Now this was what I call a ?Maximum PC? meaning that he read an issue of Maximum PC, bought every thing they said was ?The best? and tried to build the PC without any idea what he was doing. It had a EVGA 7800GT and EVGA AMD Mainboard in a aluminum case with one of those aquatic side windows that you fill with water and put fake fish in, Neon lights and lighted fans for said case. He cheaped out on most of the parts getting off-brand parts. Not the worst case of Max PC I have seen but still pretty bad.
As soon as I got done laughing at the case and got it open I found why it wouldn't boot, 20pin PSU plugged into a 24pin board. Put in a 24pin PSU and it booted right up. Next problem was the keyboard wouldn't work, boss told me to check the stand-offs and sure enough the was in the wrong spot and was shorting the keyboard. Fixed the stand-off and then made sure every thing was working.
Called the guy telling him what I had found, had had me put in a 500W PSU we had so he could over-clock it (I guess since he failed trying to fry the computer with a PSU he would do it by Ocing it) and to call him back when I was done and give him the final price but also asked if we could drop off the PC since he somehow, in less than an hour, didn't have a car now. I said that we could but would have to charge him extra for it, he said OK. I Put in the new PSU, setup the RAID and did some cable management.
Remember how I said this guy was a real hotshot? Every time I would talk to this guy he sounded like he was real strung out and kept saying ?hook me up and I'll kick some cash your way? right.. Whatever.
So I'm already a bit annoyed with this guy and then I got to have fun trying to find his house. He lived on First street but when I got to the address that Google Maps said was the place I looked around and thought ?... Pretty sure the guy doesn't live in a warehouse.?. After and hour of driving I come to find that there are two First Street's a mile apart, ?1st Street? and ?First Street?. Found the guy's house, setup the computer and gave him the rundown for installing windows on a RAID. He payed the bill and tipped me $15. Woo?
Come Monday, the guy calls saying windows is seeing two HDD instead of one. After spending time on the phone, and though I was pretty sure I did, maybe I didn't set up the RAID correctly and told him to bring back the PC and I would fix it at no charge. He shows up, hands me a post-it note with two Windows XP CD-Keys on it and then tells me to fix the RAID and load windows using one of the keys ?BUT DON'T REGISTER IT. You rock dude!? Then slaps me on the back and Bolted to the door. He had almost left when I said I would have to charge to load windows. He asked me if I could give him a deal on it and I said I couldn't, he goes on about how after him tipping me and not setting up the RAID correctly that I should do it for a discount (normally I would but this guy was an ass). I said I would fix the RAID at no charge but not windows, He said don't bother with windows ?Just get it done!? and left.
Turns out somebody decided to mess around in BIOS and reset every thing to default and thus disabling the RAID. While I was doing that the guy called and talked to my boss, my boss then told me to load Windows and only charge half for it since I messed it up.
I tried to load windows, none of the keys worked. I took out the CD to confirm what I was thinking. I looked at the back of the CD with its crooked, poorly printed inkjet XP graphic and decided that either Microsoft had gotten REALLY cheap or the CD was not 100% legit. Called the guy about it and he decided to buy a copy from us. Loaded windows with all the updates, installed the latest drivers and then ran 3DMark05 and some other tests to make sure the computer wouldn't crap out. Guy sent who I assumed was his girlfriend to pick up the computer.
Today every time the phone rang I dreaded that it would be him saying that his computer broke and he wanted me to fix it. Hours past.. It was almost closing time. I started to think I would never hear the man's name ever again! No such luck.
I didn't talk to him, I had the Senior Tech talk with him. Turns out the guy tried to ?update? the video drivers and somehow screwed up windows and now it won't boot. He wants us to fix it for free or return windows and the PSU since ?there is no reason windows should mess up after one day!?
I was amazed it lasted a day...
Updates coming tomorrow.
Cliffs:
1. guy who is a poopoo head brings in computer that is fuxorzd!
2. I fix the computer.
3. He breaks the computer.
4. I fix the computer.
5. He breaks the computer.
**Update 02-15-06**
So today the guy calls wanting to speak with the owner, he talks with my boss about the computer for a bit and my boss tells him to bring in the pc even though everyone else said we should just tell the guy to piss off.
The computer shows up latter that day and the first thing I notice is the RAID has been deleted, To which the guy latter admits to doing while trying to "fix" windows. There goes the idea of repairing windows... So I set back up the RAID and start to load windows. I load windows and install the latest drivers for the motherboard but after restarting the computer it locked up and just showed a blank screen. So I format the HDD and try the drivers that came with the board and it still locked up.
Now while I'm doing this (For free mind you), computers were literally stacking up around me since I was the only tech working that day and my boss wanted me to put priority on that computer.
Latter on, the senior tech showed up and offered to take the computer off my hands so I could start getting the other computers done. While I franticly tried to get caught-up, he had swapped out the Motherboard and loaded windows back on the computer with all the drivers and then we ran 3dmark05 just to make sure it ran OK. (It scored 7028)
So now I have to call the guy tomorrow and tell him that his board is shot, probably from having a stand-off in the wrong spot, and he will need a new one.
Oh the joy!
**Update 2-17-06**
I got the computer fixed on Thursday. Turns out the guy had a 2nd board sent to him when he thought the first one was bad so he had me put that in and 1GBX2 of RAM he also ordered. While I was trying to get this done (and still trying to get other computers done) the guy was calling every 20min asking if it was done yet. Got to the point I stopped answering the phone and let every one know to tell him I will call him when its done so stop calling! Then he only called every 35min or so.
Got windows loaded, all the updates, drivers ect.. Not counting Friday, I probably spent 15 hours total working on this computer. We normally charge $40 and hour for labor. My boss only charged him $20 ****ing bucks...
So far, no calls from the guy. But I'm sure that will change once he finds out to keep him from screwing with stuff we put a password on BIOS.
**Update 03-01-06**
So it's about 5:25PM, we are closed but me and another tech are staying late to get caught-up. Phone rings and I forget it's after 5 (we stop answering the phones then) and I pick up the phone. Guess who is on the other end?
He tells me that his PSU has fried and he wants to drop it off. I tell him that he will have to drop it off tomorrow since we are closed and just about to head out the door (BS but I really didn't want to deal with the guy tonight), He freaks out saying that he has a skiing trip tomorrow morning at 6AM and then stars going on about how he "dropped a boat load of cash" (We have given the guy over $230 in labor and parts for free, he has spent maybe $150) and how his computer keeps breaking (Lets see, he put in the MB wrong, My fault. MB was bad from being installed wrong, My fault. And now his PSU has "died", Must be my fault again. :disgust: )
Then he wants to speak with the owner, they are both gone. I tell him to hold one for a moment. I lower the phone and put my hand over the mic and I start talking with the other tech since he was asking who it was and I just didn't want to hear that mans voice anymore. Then I start to hear the man YELLING at me and I put the phone upto my ear, He is SCREAMING over and over "I JUST WANT TO DROP IT OFF! I JUST WANT TO DROP IT OFF!!" Like a spoiled three year-old for candy. I tell him we can wait for him to drop it off "THANK YOU" and he hung up.
He dropped off the computer ten minutes later and then left. Booted just fine...
I'm sure I'll have more updates soon.
**Update 3-02-06**
I get into work today and see the computer sitting there, mocking me as I walk by it. After getting more important computers done, I figure it's about time to see what the guy did to screw it up. Didn't take long for me to notice that there are NO inlets for air on the front of the case. In BIOS the CPU (3200+) was idling at 57C and the case temp was 42C. Not that bad but when you take into account the CPU is doing nothing and a 7800GT sitting in that case it wouldn't take long to heat up. We always had the case open when we were working on it so we never noticed it overheating.
I couldn't get into his account to check his settings since there was a password on it. Though there was a password hint, ?North America?... Hmmm... what could it be? I remembered back to when I dropped off his computer, the man really liked his weed. All sorts of posters, magazines and other tings laying about the house that would hint to what he did in his spare time
?Colombia? .... No? Dang, I was sure that would be it.
I called the guys house to leave a message asking him about the password, since he would most likely still be gone skiing. But someone picked up... Guess mike wasn't much of a skier. Told him what I thought the problem was, He suggested that we ?saw a hole in the front a strap on a turbine? I told him that may be a bit drastic and told him to humor the idea of getting a better case. Then I asked him for the password he said it was Colombia, I asked him if he had any caps or numbers in it or spelled it a different way? No...
Me: ?So it's C-O-L-O-M-B-I-A??
Him: ?Yes.... No wait! It's L-U-M-B-I-A, Columbia?
Me: ?...Right. Thanks.?
After that, me and another tech messed around with it for a bit seeing if he was O/Cing the video card and if there was ANY way to let more air in besides taking off drive bay covers, we gave up soon after. Then the guy calls wanting to know how it was going with the pc, I tell him we are pretty much done and he can come pick it up. And then tell him he will have to pay for the work we did on it. He Does his usual 2-3 seconds of silence, as if to say ?WHAT?!?.
Him: ?Well what are we looking at? $20??
Me: ?More like $40?
Him: ?..... $40? Why?!?
Me: ?For the time we spent on the computer?
Him: ?What did you do?? (in a snappy tone)
Me: ?Well we checked out the PSU you bought from us and it was fine so we did a standard diagnostic on the computer. Which is forty dollars.?
I said the last part with a stern tone in my voice, I wanted this guy to know that my boss my be a puss, but he isn't going to pull anymore bulls**t with me. The man was silent for a moment, it felt more like a ?...crap? silence this time and then agreed to pay.
One thing I forgot the put into the rant is the guy didn't have a car. Or one he could drive anyways. He kept saying that he needed to ?get tags for his jag? so he would have someone come and get stuff or get a ride from his friends .
He came in, tossed $40 onto the counter, grabbed his computer, wouldn't wait for a receipt and walked out.
Though I would like the think otherwise; I'm sure it won't be the last time I hear of him.
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