Are you the "Computer Guy" at ur Job??

I work medical - but have an IT background, and mostly these days I just keep up on today's PC world out of Personal interest and hobby.

All day long, I'm constantly getting asked by coworkers about thier computer "not doing this, won't boot that, and what should I do about this?"

It's really interesting how simple of a solution most of thier issues are and how easy it is to quickly fix thier problems. And also how much they would normally spend if they'd had taken it to a typical Computer Repair shop.

It's kinda kewl for most part - and I've even taken a few of thier PC's home with me and reworked em. Unfortunately I tell them I can't accept money for the work - due to our hospital protocols.

If you're that person too - I'm sure u get the same tired, boring questions. At the same time it's rewarding to see how thankful they are when u get thier printer working or get thier Laptop to actually boot up !

Just wondering if some of you out there have the same repore with your cohorts?

Haha, not really. I work on a university campus doing hardware/software support for faculty and staff. We're not a helpdesk, but we set up new machines and repair existing ones. So I work with nothing BUT computer guys. However, I'm also in the graphic design program and even though they all use Mac's, I'm still the computer guy there. I helped fix a few networked printers and set stuff up through SAMBA. I also get to whine if they call something the incorrect name. (No, the tower is not the hard drive.) :D

(No, the tower is not the hard drive.) :D

Toribor

My computer has a virus. (Not really a virus - just a bunch of spam and adware).

My computer died on me. (I doubt it's dead - either try and boot to safemode and do a System restore or a complete format reinstall)
and they usually don't have any of the software that came wtih thier rig...

What kind of PC/Laptop would I buy? - LOL, (I always try to tell em build, but don't have teh energy to try and figure out thier needs).

What is Wifi. (usually not sure where to start to explain this)?

I think my kids screwed something up.? (which they probably did)

The usual stuff - ya know? haha

Yeah, I hear the same things when I'm working on their office computers. "My home computer has this thing." "My computer is really slow, it's 7 years old but I upgraded the RAM and everything" "My memory is full." All that jazz. I try to remember how I feel when they ask me that so I know how to talk to a mechanic.

(I know nothing about cars, and used to have discussions with a friend of mine who was good with cars and bad at computers about how we basically go through the same crap. Everyone has one, no one knows how to use them.)

Not at work, but at school when ever the teachers have tech problems and the school tech women is busy, they call me.

I try to remember how I feel when they ask me that so I know how to talk to a mechanic.

(I know nothing about cars, and used to have discussions with a friend of mine who was good with cars and bad at computers about how we basically go through the same crap. Everyone has one, no one knows how to use them.)

Toribor

Yes, I'm known as the "tech guy" in my store. I don't have any special certifications but I have more hands-on with hardware than most people that do. I always get turned to for help with computer issues.

well since i dont have a job atm....but at college, im the go to guy for computers, including all the csc and cit majors..

That's a big yes...just today one of the suits called and said we need to order 3 new printers are such and such good. I say Na.....the more expesive wi-fi one's are much better and only 50 bucks more each.......They are ordered:)

the "position" was already taken by someone when i started in my department. his knowledge of computers is only slightly above average but i try not to tread on his ground too much because it seems to mean a lot to him. then again, i really know my own pc like the back off my hand and i keep up with hardware developments on a regular basis but often have no clue what other peoples do to their pc's to mess them up like they sometimes do, let alone how to fix it :D

the "position" was already taken by someone when i started in my department. his knowledge of computers is only slightly above average but i try not to tread on his ground too much because it seems to mean a lot to him. then again, i really know my own pc like the back off my hand and i keep up with hardware developments on a regular basis but often have no clue what other peoples do to their pc's to mess them up like they sometimes do, let alone how to fix it :D

BLKR4330

Nah I just sit back and laugh at the office folks in meetings cause they can't figure out how to do simple stuff with pc's for presentations. I work electrical (signal) department on the railroad, mostly outdoor work. I had to stand up in the middle of a meeting and help the superintendent in our branch of the corporation get his laptop to output the display to a projector after he was messing with it for like 10 minutes, took me 30 seconds.

Today was funny too, we had a big all day safety meeting, these guys at the head of the safety department for a huge corporation that travel and do presentations across the states and world even, don't even know how to go fullscreen in WMP.

Today was funny too, we had a big all day safety meeting, these guys at the head of the safety department for a huge corporation that travel and do presentations across the states and world even, don't even know how to go fullscreen in WMP.

BeavermanA

Actually I'm not the Computer guy I'm the computer girl :D :P. Yep I build PCs for people :) and I'm even good at fixing them too :D. I can build pcs for anyone in the US or Canada but well to do the fixing I'd have to do that locally either in southern New Hampshire or northern Massachusetts. But yeah what's cool yet sad is that I'm cooler and more helpful than some of the guys out there :P. Also, I'm a PC Gamer ;). Oh and I build all types of computers. So OP could you send some clients my way if they are looking to get a new computer? :) please and thanks

Yes unfortunately, it's like I setup the sexy network with all this math stuff, and then I have to go to someone to get ms word. I just remote desktop, screw walking.JigglyWiggly_

I'm a PC Gamer ;). Oh and I build all types of computers. So OP could you send some clients my way if they are looking to get a new computer? :) please and thanks

UltimateGamer95

Oh and I build all types of computers. So OP could you send some clients my way if they are looking to get a new computer? :) please and thanksUltimateGamer95

[QUOTE="UltimateGamer95"]Oh and I build all types of computers. So OP could you send some clients my way if they are looking to get a new computer? :) please and thankssmc91352

[QUOTE="UltimateGamer95"]

I'm a PC Gamer ;). Oh and I build all types of computers. So OP could you send some clients my way if they are looking to get a new computer? :) please and thanks

Xsan3

Oh and you also have to pay the cost of shipping as well but in most cases the shipping cost would cancel out the sales tax you would have to pay if you bought something in your state, But you still have to pay the shipping cost.

[QUOTE="Toribor"]

I try to remember how I feel when they ask me that so I know how to talk to a mechanic.

(I know nothing about cars, and used to have discussions with a friend of mine who was good with cars and bad at computers about how we basically go through the same crap. Everyone has one, no one knows how to use them.)

Xsan3

[QUOTE="Xsan3"]

[QUOTE="Toribor"]

I try to remember how I feel when they ask me that so I know how to talk to a mechanic.

(I know nothing about cars, and used to have discussions with a friend of mine who was good with cars and bad at computers about how we basically go through the same crap. Everyone has one, no one knows how to use them.)

Toribor

Yeah, people expect me to repair computers all the time...thats because iam a PC technician :D

Yeah, people expect me to repair computers all the time...thats because iam a PC technician :D

Daytona_178

I'm tring to get back in to IT here at the hospital I work. Then god knows how many issues I'll be dealing with on a daily basis...

(PS-I still don't use an anti-virus | hardy Har Har ) . . . .

I tend to be the one at my work that people turn to when they have issues. I really don't know too much about software related issues or if I really don't want to deal with them, I just tell them that I don't know what the answer is.

I do much better with the hardware aspect of things. A few weeks ago the guy that runs the showroom said he was having issues with his craptastic bubble jet printer. He said his documents don't print and he keeps getting an error popping up on the screen every now and then.

I asked him what the error says and he said, "I don't know, just a bunch of words. I never really read it." :? Ok then....I'll just start with the basics.

I checked the cables, everything's ok. I try printing a test page....nothing happens.

I double check all the printer settings and make sure it's set to default printer and that it's supposed to be working as intended (on the software side of things) and everything checks out. I try another test page....nothing happens.

I uninstall and reinstall the driver for the printer....try a test page...still nothing happens.

Nothing seems to work - there are no paper jams, the ink cartridges are brand new....maybe the stupid thing just crapped out? It happens. It was one of those cheap $40 free printers from Dell that comes with the PC when the company bought it. I was just about to give up when an error popped up on the screen....

The error read something along the lines of the ink cartridge cover wasn't shut tight - so I smacked the cover with my fist and it clicked into place and the printer started working again. All this could have been avoided if the retard actually paid attention to what the error was that he kept getting over the past few days. The guy just replaced the ink cartridges, but he failed to push the cover in hard enough. I swear, things like this just make me want to tear my hair out. People can be so dense when it comes to such simple things with computers.

I've built PCs for some of the co-workers and for a few family members so now everyone bugs me when something isn't working right on their computer. I wish I got paid for the extra crap I did at work, but I just figure I can do it out of the goodness of my heart....

Yeah, people expect me to repair computers all the time...thats because iam a PC technician :D

Daytona_178

[QUOTE="Toribor"][QUOTE="Xsan3"]That's a good point. I'm not completely ignorant to car basics - but when presented with an uncommon issue, I'm ususally the noob wehn referring to my car. That's why I went ahead a purchased the extended warranty ! lol - I seriously did. And thank goodness too, cause I think my transmission is going bad - or is the the manifold,,,no wait ! Could be the blinker fluid haha!

Xsan3

I tend to be the one at my work that people turn to when they have issues. I really don't know too much about software related issues or if I really don't want to deal with them, I just tell them that I don't know what the answer is.

I do much better with the hardware aspect of things. A few weeks ago the guy that runs the showroom said he was having issues with his craptastic bubble jet printer. He said his documents don't print and he keeps getting an error popping up on the screen every now and then.

I asked him what the error says and he said, "I don't know, just a bunch of words. I never really read it." :? Ok then....I'll just start with the basics.

I checked the cables, everything's ok. I try printing a test page....nothing happens.

I double check all the printer settings and make sure it's set to default printer and that it's supposed to be working as intended (on the software side of things) and everything checks out. I try another test page....nothing happens.

I uninstall and reinstall the driver for the printer....try a test page...still nothing happens.

Nothing seems to work - there are no paper jams, the ink cartridges are brand new....maybe the stupid thing just crapped out? It happens. It was one of those cheap $40 free printers from Dell that comes with the PC when the company bought it. I was just about to give up when an error popped up on the screen....

The error read something along the lines of the ink cartridge cover wasn't shut tight - so I smacked the cover with my fist and it clicked into place and the printer started working again. All this could have been avoided if the retard actually paid attention to what the error was that he kept getting over the past few days. The guy just replaced the ink cartridges, but he failed to push the cover in hard enough. I swear, things like this just make me want to tear my hair out. People can be so dense when it comes to such simple things with computers.

I've built PCs for some of the co-workers and for a few family members so now everyone bugs me when something isn't working right on their computer. I wish I got paid for the extra crap I did at work, but I just figure I can do it out of the goodness of my heart....

neatfeatguy

[QUOTE="neatfeatguy"]

JigglyWiggly_

I deffenatly am at my job.

I used to be at one point, but after a while they started calling me Nick Burns so I don't think they liked me very much :lol:kfjl

They used to pull me out of class in grade 5 to setup computers...I thought it was funny. I remember one teacher was asking me what all the ports did and was baffled I knew what I was doing. I grew up with computers I scavenged from garage sales and even the dump when I was really young. Most of the time there are problems with them and need fixing so I ended up learning more than I could have ever imagined. Even though all my friends build their computers and are into the hardware scene I'm still the go to person.PS2_ROCKS

[QUOTE="JigglyWiggly_"][QUOTE="neatfeatguy"]

Xsan3

[QUOTE="Xsan3"]

[QUOTE="JigglyWiggly_"] Software is betererrererere :P I hate working with low level stuff, especially in software. I don't want to deal with your cpu architecture type! Yay for java.JigglyWiggly_

If I were going to get in to that, I'd try creating Apps for Mobile devices...

[QUOTE="JigglyWiggly_"]

[QUOTE="Xsan3"]Lucky u ! I've never had the patience to learn script - that's where the real money is !!

Xsan3

If I were going to get in to that, I'd try creating Apps for Mobile devices...

There's this one kid in like half my classes who thinks he knows a lot about computers, but half of the time he's just way off and really has no idea what he's talking about. He should be extremely happy that the majority of the people in this world know almost nothing about computers. He just sounds so arrogant and idiotic sometimes that I just want to hit him lol...

Anyway, like nobody knows that I'm good with computers, and I see it as a good thing because I won't get pestered by the simplest questions all the time.:P

Well I manage our SAN, our VMware infrastructure, and all of our servers. Yup...I'm the 'Computer Guy'. I hate when people ask me personal questions now though, and ask me to do work outside of work. I just say 'NO'.

At my school I am the computer guy :D The computer teacher comes for advice.

Well I manage our SAN, our VMware infrastructure, and all of our servers. Yup...I'm the 'Computer Guy'. I hate when people ask me personal questions now though, and ask me to do work outside of work. I just say 'NO'.

boostud

I hate when people ask me personal questions now though, and ask me to do work outside of work. I just say 'NO'.boostud

[QUOTE="boostud"]I hate when people ask me personal questions now though, and ask me to do work outside of work. I just say 'NO'.CellAnimation

[QUOTE="CellAnimation"][QUOTE="boostud"]I hate when people ask me personal questions now though, and ask me to do work outside of work. I just say 'NO'.boostud

All this could have been avoided if the retard actually paid attention to what the error was that he kept getting over the past few days. The guy just replaced the ink cartridges, but he failed to push the cover in hard enough. I swear, things like this just make me want to tear my hair out. People can be so dense when it comes to such simple things with computers.

neatfeatguy

Lol my favourite is when they say say their pc cant turn on and its switched off at the wall plug.