« Pop-up ads in blogspot blogs? | Main | Having fun with blog valuation »

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

My work computer is out of order

The power supply on my work computer decided to break down today for some reason. When I got to work this morning, I pushed the button to turn on the computer, and nothing happened.

It's a Dell Dimension 4700. I think. Or, maybe it's a 4600. Now, I can't remember. We got it new from a reseller in January of 2004. We also bought the Dell next day three year onsite service agreement.

I tried everything I knew to do, including unplugging everything and plugging it back in. I even plugged the computer into a different wall socket.

So, I called Dell and was on the phone for an hour with a technician. He had me doing almost everything short of taking the thing apart, including unplugging and plugging in the motherboard in several places, removing the memory, flipping a little switch that apparently converts the computer for use with European electricity, among other things.

I managed to only cut my knuckles once throughout the entire episode. When I told him I was bleeding, he said, "that's okay. Go get a band aid." Yeah, but what about that microscopic chunk of flesh hanging on a microchip somewhere in there?

Nothing worked. Finally, just about the time I was getting bored with the whole ordeal, he declared there was a problem with the power source. He entered the information for a service call, told me the guy would come out by 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday with a power supply, and he gave me confirmation number.

The confirmation number is just in case the guy doesn't show up, I can call Dell back to let them know. I said, I take it this guy isn't a Dell employee, right? He said, "right. He's from Unisys." I'll be surprised if the Unisys guy actually shows up by the appointed time tomorrow.

EDIT this next morning:: The guy was here by 9:50 a.m. , got it fixed, and was gone by 10:05 a.m. Very nice guy who worked construction for 20+ years until he injured his back. I apologize to the guy and Unisys for being so wrongly pessimistic for thinking he wouldn't show by 3:00 p.m.

Posted by Marie at October 25, 2005 12:28 AM