Why are people incapable of rebooting computers?

[Krynn72]

Why have them reboot? How about just telling them to "shutdown the computer" - not logoff, but SHUTDOWN. then wait 3 - 5 minutes and turn the computer back on and have them log back in. It seems like someone is 'overthinking' this.

*Hits power button on the monitor*
*10 minutes later*
"Oh, you mean shut down the hard drive? Ok, I flipped the switch in the back, but now when I turn it back on it says it did not safely shut down. You broke my computer?! I just wanted you to fix my modem because the wifi cable wasn't working. This always happens when I call you people."

 

[nlinecomputers]

*Hits power button on the monitor*
*10 minutes later*
"Oh, you mean shut down the hard drive? Ok, I flipped the switch in the back, but now when I turn it back on it says it did not safely shut down. You broke my computer?! I just wanted you to fix my modem because the wifi cable wasn't working. This always happens when I call you people."

Beat me to it.

 

[Highlander]

Am I missing something here? Can't you reboot remotely and re-connect again after 5 or 10 minutes.

 

[allstarit]

Not to hijack this thread, but do you get the customer's permission before installing unattended remote access? I would think this could be a major liability issue if the customer were to later accuse you of accessing their PC without their knowledge and stealing some data. Now you have to prove you DIDN'T do it.

Yes absolutely get customers permission.
On my job form i even have a section about remote access.

Same thing if a client drops a pc into a shop to have work done on it. How do you know the tech isnt going to look through stuff? You dont...but you put it on your job form and get client to sign it and you sign it too. Protects them and protects you.

 

[kwest]

Just tell them to do this:

"Press ... Windows (key), Right (arrow), Right (arrow), R"

Just 4 key presses ... couldn't be simpler.



Failing that, if they're annoyingly stooopid and you're feeling particularly irritable, f**k it, just tell them to press and hold the big power button

First question would be what is a right key

 

[Altster]

Of course you may need to educate the customer(s) on what is what (computer - box vs. monitor - display).

If YOU are unwilling to do this, then perhaps you shouldn't be in this business.

 

[NYJimbo]

How about just telling them to "shutdown the computer" - not logoff, but SHUTDOWN. then wait 3 - 5 minutes and turn the computer back on and have them log back in.

3-5 minutes ? What are you waiting for ? Is there something going on inside a computer today that I don't know about ? If it's troll or gremlin related I would really like know, because I didn't get a memo or anything.

 

[gadgetfixup]

You know, ram memory to dissipate, capacitors to drain, hard drives need to park, cooling fans to stop. Oh wait that was back in 1988 we had to wait like that.

Old habits die hard.....

 

[AndyM]

because I didn't get a memo or anything

And time for the re-post

Andy

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

*Hits power button on the monitor*
*10 minutes later*
"Oh, you mean shut down the hard drive? Ok, I flipped the switch in the back, but now when I turn it back on it says it did not safely shut down. You broke my computer?! I just wanted you to fix my modem because the wifi cable wasn't working. This always happens when I call you people."

I wish I could like this 10 times!

 

[TimM]

First question would be what is a right key

The one next to the any key of course