#tech-support
#tech-support

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#1980s-technology

One stupid keystroke exposed techie to sensitive information

Misnaming a data utility caused significant tech support issues in the 1980s, leading to wiped disks instead of file conversions.

Coding whiz had another talent: inappropriate insults

Nate's tech support tale illustrates the importance of user preferences and camaraderie in tech environments, even in government agencies.

Engineer with little tech experience asked to fix mainframe

An inexperienced engineer faced a challenging tech support situation while pressured to fix a mainframe system with minimal knowledge.

Hide the keyboard. It's the only way to save this software

Mysterious software crashes in an industrial setting can have unconventional causes, often requiring creative problem-solving beyond standard troubleshooting.

One stupid keystroke exposed techie to sensitive information

Misnaming a data utility caused significant tech support issues in the 1980s, leading to wiped disks instead of file conversions.

Coding whiz had another talent: inappropriate insults

Nate's tech support tale illustrates the importance of user preferences and camaraderie in tech environments, even in government agencies.

Engineer with little tech experience asked to fix mainframe

An inexperienced engineer faced a challenging tech support situation while pressured to fix a mainframe system with minimal knowledge.

Hide the keyboard. It's the only way to save this software

Mysterious software crashes in an industrial setting can have unconventional causes, often requiring creative problem-solving beyond standard troubleshooting.

more1980s-technology

Google is rolling out a fix for broken Chromecasts

Google is addressing Chromecast casting issues caused by untrusted device errors via a rollout fix for affected devices.

Some Chromecasts are giving 'Untrusted device' errors today

Second-generation Chromecasts and Chromecast Audios may be nearing the end of support from Google, displaying errors suggesting lack of verification.

Google has a fix for all of the broken Chromecasts

Google has rolled out a fix for Chromecasts that lost casting capabilities and those that were bricked after factory resets.

Is your Chromecast still throwing errors? This fix will get you streaming again

Google is rolling out a fix for Chromecast devices facing casting issues, but users may encounter problems if they reset their devices.

Google is rolling out a fix for broken Chromecasts

Google is addressing Chromecast casting issues caused by untrusted device errors via a rollout fix for affected devices.

Some Chromecasts are giving 'Untrusted device' errors today

Second-generation Chromecasts and Chromecast Audios may be nearing the end of support from Google, displaying errors suggesting lack of verification.

Google has a fix for all of the broken Chromecasts

Google has rolled out a fix for Chromecasts that lost casting capabilities and those that were bricked after factory resets.

Is your Chromecast still throwing errors? This fix will get you streaming again

Google is rolling out a fix for Chromecast devices facing casting issues, but users may encounter problems if they reset their devices.

Glitchy taxi tech blew cover on steamy dispatch dalliance

The RF Guy uncovered unexpected communications in a taxi dispatch system while investigating a technical glitch.

User said his mouse was broken, but he wasn't using a mouse

Tech support encounters can be surprisingly bizarre and humorous, showcasing human behavior in unexpected contexts.

User had no idea why PC was dead. Maybe the new motherboard?

Navigating tech support among family can lead to humorous yet frustrating experiences, illustrating the complexities and misunderstandings related to technology.

Michael's story highlights the challenges of tech support, especially when informal settings and family dynamics are involved.

Glitchy taxi tech blew cover on steamy dispatch dalliance

The RF Guy uncovered unexpected communications in a taxi dispatch system while investigating a technical glitch.

User said his mouse was broken, but he wasn't using a mouse

Tech support encounters can be surprisingly bizarre and humorous, showcasing human behavior in unexpected contexts.

User had no idea why PC was dead. Maybe the new motherboard?

Navigating tech support among family can lead to humorous yet frustrating experiences, illustrating the complexities and misunderstandings related to technology.

Michael's story highlights the challenges of tech support, especially when informal settings and family dynamics are involved.

How to clean and organize your Mac

Regular maintenance can keep your Mac operational and organized.

Simple tools and techniques can enhance your Mac's appearance and functionality.

Chrome crashed and you lost all of your tabs? Here's how to get them back

Chrome crash can lead to losing important tabs, emphasizing the importance of using tab groups for better organization and retrieval.

How to clean and organize your Mac

Regular maintenance can keep your Mac operational and organized.

Simple tools and techniques can enhance your Mac's appearance and functionality.

Chrome crashed and you lost all of your tabs? Here's how to get them back

Chrome crash can lead to losing important tabs, emphasizing the importance of using tab groups for better organization and retrieval.

moreproductivity

HP realizes that mandatory 15-minute support call wait times isn't good support

HP implemented mandatory 15-minute wait times for tech support calls to encourage use of digital self-service options.

HP's new remote support service can even resurrect unbootable PCs

HP's new remote diagnostics service enables technicians to fix unbootable PCs remotely, improving support for remote workers.

HP realizes that mandatory 15-minute support call wait times isn't good support

HP implemented mandatory 15-minute wait times for tech support calls to encourage use of digital self-service options.

HP's new remote support service can even resurrect unbootable PCs

HP's new remote diagnostics service enables technicians to fix unbootable PCs remotely, improving support for remote workers.

DIMM techies kept in office to prove memory wasn't 'missing'

In tech support, proactive measures can uncover discrepancies and ensure accountability in resource management.

Microsoft won't support Office apps on Windows 10 after October 14th

Essentially, Microsoft 365 apps will stop being supported on Windows 10 after October 14, 2025, requiring users to switch to Windows 11.

Windows 11 update breaks File Explorer - among other glitches

Microsoft's February Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 caused significant File Explorer issues, impacting user experience and installation reliability.

Microsoft won't support Office apps on Windows 10 after October 14th

Essentially, Microsoft 365 apps will stop being supported on Windows 10 after October 14, 2025, requiring users to switch to Windows 11.

Windows 11 update breaks File Explorer - among other glitches

Microsoft's February Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 caused significant File Explorer issues, impacting user experience and installation reliability.

Try these tips to help your parents stay safe online

Support parents and loved ones in navigating technology by providing guidance on security and user-friendly tools.

Home for the holidays? Show relatives you care with some tech support

During holiday visits, tech-savvy family members should educate relatives about tech maintenance and security, especially with the rise of AI-driven scams.

Try these tips to help your parents stay safe online

Support parents and loved ones in navigating technology by providing guidance on security and user-friendly tools.

Home for the holidays? Show relatives you care with some tech support

During holiday visits, tech-savvy family members should educate relatives about tech maintenance and security, especially with the rise of AI-driven scams.

AppleCare+ becomes subscription-only, prepaid models are no more

AppleCare+ transitions to subscription-only, eliminating fixed-term plans.

Is this the end of multi-year AppleCare+ plans? What's replacing them and why

Apple is limiting multi-year AppleCare+ plans to online options only, pushing customers towards monthly subscriptions.

AppleCare+ becomes subscription-only, prepaid models are no more

AppleCare+ transitions to subscription-only, eliminating fixed-term plans.

Is this the end of multi-year AppleCare+ plans? What's replacing them and why

Apple is limiting multi-year AppleCare+ plans to online options only, pushing customers towards monthly subscriptions.

#reader-stories

You're not leaving until this printer is working

Tom's job in an African nation was complicated by a communication issue that led to travel restrictions and unexpected challenges.

Tech support chap arrived at work with knife and marlinspike

Tech support professionals can navigate between their unique hobbies and on-call responsibilities, highlighting their versatility.

Tired techie botched preventative maintenance

Dave accidentally overwrote a critical hard drive due to exhaustion, but managed to save the system using a backup in a different office.

You're not leaving until this printer is working

Tom's job in an African nation was complicated by a communication issue that led to travel restrictions and unexpected challenges.

Tech support chap arrived at work with knife and marlinspike

Tech support professionals can navigate between their unique hobbies and on-call responsibilities, highlighting their versatility.

Tired techie botched preventative maintenance

Dave accidentally overwrote a critical hard drive due to exhaustion, but managed to save the system using a backup in a different office.

morereader-stories

Apple halts iPadOS 18 update for M4 iPad Pro after bricking reports

Apple has paused iPadOS 18 rollout for M4 iPad Pro due to bricking issues affecting some devices.

Now Apple tells us how to update AirPods

Apple has enhanced the AirPods firmware update guide, emphasizing the importance of automatic updates and proper charging procedures.

Why is Safari crashing? Users complain Apple's browser stops working

Safari is experiencing widespread issues with random crashes, frustrating users globally.

Apple reveals the secret to updating every AirPods model - and it's easier than you think

Apple now offers clear steps for updating AirPods, eliminating previous confusion.

If your iPhone alarm has gone quiet, Apple says it's working on a fix

Apple is working on a fix for iPhone alarms triggering silently.

Apple halts iPadOS 18 update for M4 iPad Pro after bricking reports

Apple has paused iPadOS 18 rollout for M4 iPad Pro due to bricking issues affecting some devices.

Now Apple tells us how to update AirPods

Apple has enhanced the AirPods firmware update guide, emphasizing the importance of automatic updates and proper charging procedures.

Why is Safari crashing? Users complain Apple's browser stops working

Safari is experiencing widespread issues with random crashes, frustrating users globally.

Apple reveals the secret to updating every AirPods model - and it's easier than you think

Apple now offers clear steps for updating AirPods, eliminating previous confusion.

If your iPhone alarm has gone quiet, Apple says it's working on a fix

Apple is working on a fix for iPhone alarms triggering silently.

Zyxel firewalls borked by buggy update

Zyxel's update caused reboot loops and access issues in certain firewall models, not linked to security vulnerabilities.

#software-development

Developers sent into security panic by 'useful feature'

Investigation often reveals simple errors rather than complex problems during tech support calls.

Your computer's not working? Sure, I can fix that problem

Bill faced accusations from a customer who refused to pay for software due to their own mismanagement rather than a failure of the product.

Developers sent into security panic by 'useful feature'

Investigation often reveals simple errors rather than complex problems during tech support calls.

Your computer's not working? Sure, I can fix that problem

Bill faced accusations from a customer who refused to pay for software due to their own mismanagement rather than a failure of the product.

moresoftware-development

#software-update

Google Pixel 4a's update kills its battery life on purpose

Google's update intentionally lowers Pixel 4a battery life to improve stability, offering options to affected users.

Samsung's latest software update may be bricking older phones

Older Samsung Galaxy updates may brick devices, particularly Galaxy S10 and Note 10 models.

Affected users can perform a factory reset, but risk losing unsaved data.

Delay downloading updates on older devices until more information is provided from Samsung.

Google Pixel 4a's update kills its battery life on purpose

Google's update intentionally lowers Pixel 4a battery life to improve stability, offering options to affected users.

Samsung's latest software update may be bricking older phones

Older Samsung Galaxy updates may brick devices, particularly Galaxy S10 and Note 10 models.

Affected users can perform a factory reset, but risk losing unsaved data.

Delay downloading updates on older devices until more information is provided from Samsung.

moresoftware-update

Boss couldn't learn how to use a browser after a year

Tech support in the 1990s relied on informal communication and quick fixes rather than structured approaches.

Tech support warrior left cosplay battle, Trekked to work

Tech support can lead to unexpected and humorous situations, especially when combining fandom with professional responsibilities.

Boss couldn't learn how to use a browser after a year

Tech support in the 1990s relied on informal communication and quick fixes rather than structured approaches.

Tech support warrior left cosplay battle, Trekked to work

Tech support can lead to unexpected and humorous situations, especially when combining fandom with professional responsibilities.

morework-culture

#problem-solving

Tech support world record? 8.5 seconds from seeing to fixing

Tech support often requires simple solutions to resolve complex problems quickly.

To patch this server, I need to get someone drunk

Creative problem-solving can help navigate conflicting workplace directives.

Building relationships with colleagues can lead to innovative solutions in challenging environments.

User thought cursor meant their computer was cactus

Tech support can lead to rapid resolutions, sometimes in seconds, showcasing the nuances of user issues during busy periods.

Techie fluked a fix and his abusive boss embraced him for it

Good tech support is essential due to the unpredictable nature of digital technology, especially in high-stakes environments.

Tech support world record? 8.5 seconds from seeing to fixing

Tech support often requires simple solutions to resolve complex problems quickly.

To patch this server, I need to get someone drunk

Creative problem-solving can help navigate conflicting workplace directives.

Building relationships with colleagues can lead to innovative solutions in challenging environments.

User thought cursor meant their computer was cactus

Tech support can lead to rapid resolutions, sometimes in seconds, showcasing the nuances of user issues during busy periods.

Techie fluked a fix and his abusive boss embraced him for it

Good tech support is essential due to the unpredictable nature of digital technology, especially in high-stakes environments.

moreproblem-solving

WhatsApp to drop support for older Android devices on January 1, 2025

Meta ends WhatsApp support for devices older than 10 years, effective January 1, 2025.

Users on older Android phones must backup data to avoid losing it after support ends.

Backup failed but the boss didn't mind -his kid caused it

Ray's dual internet connections provided failover but were compromised by an external DDoS attack.

No, I can't help. This is the wrong helpdesk

Miscommunication and time zone ignorance in tech support roles can lead to frustrating experiences, especially when management fails to take corrective action.

GOG's new preservation program intends to keep classic games playable 'forever'

GOG has launched a preservation program to maintain older games' compatibility with future systems.

GOG's preservation program lets you keep playing games after they're delisted

GOG's Preservation Program guarantees support for delisted games, maintaining compatibility and providing a seamless gaming experience for players.

GOG is launching a new preservation program, and it looks like good news for PC folks who love playing classics without having to mess around

GOG launches a preservation program to ensure classic games run on modern hardware.

GOG's new preservation program intends to keep classic games playable 'forever'

GOG has launched a preservation program to maintain older games' compatibility with future systems.

GOG's preservation program lets you keep playing games after they're delisted

GOG's Preservation Program guarantees support for delisted games, maintaining compatibility and providing a seamless gaming experience for players.

GOG is launching a new preservation program, and it looks like good news for PC folks who love playing classics without having to mess around

GOG launches a preservation program to ensure classic games run on modern hardware.

QNAP NAS users locked out after firmware update snafu

The recent QTS firmware update has rendered many QNAP NAS users unable to access their devices, causing widespread frustration and confusion.

Network engineer's great escape in the dead of night

Erik's oversight in leaving keys behind led to a significant operational issue during a late-night tech support task.

'For support, contact me' sign responded to after 20 years

Tech support often goes unrecognized despite being essential to operational success.

People Are Sharing The Most "Elementary" Things They Had To Explain To An Adult

Tech support often reveals surprising gaps in basic tech knowledge among users, leading to confusion and frustration for both parties.

Hardware works better when you don't stab it all day

Improper usage of technology can lead to hardware failures, regardless of thorough prior testing.

People Are Sharing The Most "Elementary" Things They Had To Explain To An Adult

Tech support often reveals surprising gaps in basic tech knowledge among users, leading to confusion and frustration for both parties.

Hardware works better when you don't stab it all day

Improper usage of technology can lead to hardware failures, regardless of thorough prior testing.

#database-management

Relocation is a complete success - until the last minute

David's story emphasizes the critical importance of redundancy in tech support and system operations.

The sad tale of the Alpha massacre

Gandalf and his team encountered humorous yet instructive tech support challenges while ensuring proper QA tool utilization for software testing.

Relocation is a complete success - until the last minute

David's story emphasizes the critical importance of redundancy in tech support and system operations.

The sad tale of the Alpha massacre

Gandalf and his team encountered humorous yet instructive tech support challenges while ensuring proper QA tool utilization for software testing.

moredatabase-management

#software-issues

Did your Apple Notes vanish from your iPhone? Here's how to find them

Many iPhone users are experiencing issues with disappearing Apple Notes after accepting iCloud terms, but there are solutions to recover them.

Adobe couldn't fix issue in two weeks. Techie took 5 minutes

A simple restart can often resolve complex software issues, demonstrating the importance of basic troubleshooting steps.

Did your Apple Notes vanish from your iPhone? Here's how to find them

Many iPhone users are experiencing issues with disappearing Apple Notes after accepting iCloud terms, but there are solutions to recover them.

Adobe couldn't fix issue in two weeks. Techie took 5 minutes

A simple restart can often resolve complex software issues, demonstrating the importance of basic troubleshooting steps.

moresoftware-issues

Bloomberg

Unusual activity detection protects user security by verifying human access to the site.

Yes, your network is down. We crashed it as punishment

Customer reluctance to pay invoices can lead to urgent tech support situations, revealing deeper issues within client relationships.

Compression? What's that? Also, why is the network so slow?

Vivien's attempt to share office relocation options via email caused a network crash due to uncompressed BMP image files.

Fisker's bankruptcy plans approved on $2.5M tech support deal

Fisker has received bankruptcy court approval to sell its remaining EV inventory, securing tech support for current owners through American Lease.

Verizon Mobile Users Report Outages Across the U.S.

Verizon experienced a significant service outage affecting thousands of users across major U.S. cities on Monday morning.

Apple Watch owners frustrated by Verizon activation glitches - here's why

Many Apple Watch users face activation issues with Verizon, especially for watches not purchased directly from the carrier.

Verizon Mobile Users Report Outages Across the U.S.

Verizon experienced a significant service outage affecting thousands of users across major U.S. cities on Monday morning.

Apple Watch owners frustrated by Verizon activation glitches - here's why

Many Apple Watch users face activation issues with Verizon, especially for watches not purchased directly from the carrier.

#troubleshooting

OS/2 expert channeled a higher power to dispel doom loop

Understanding OS/2 system behavior is crucial for troubleshooting persistent issues.

Configuration file adjustments can resolve loops caused by system defaults.

5 steps to repair Microsoft Office

Repairing Office apps can often resolve common issues with ease.

The most extreme repair method consists of a cleanup tool followed by a clean installation.

OS/2 expert channeled a higher power to dispel doom loop

Understanding OS/2 system behavior is crucial for troubleshooting persistent issues.

Configuration file adjustments can resolve loops caused by system defaults.

5 steps to repair Microsoft Office

Repairing Office apps can often resolve common issues with ease.

The most extreme repair method consists of a cleanup tool followed by a clean installation.

moretroubleshooting

Help desk chap abused priveliges to run a prank

Mischief can arise in tech support roles, highlighting the humorous side of remote assistance.

On Call's Greatest Hits, as voted by you

The On-Call column reveals humorous and frustrating tech support stories that highlight user misconceptions and administrative blunders in tech environments.

Thank you, Reg Readers: On Call has turned 500!

The On-Call column celebrates the diverse and humorous tech support stories shared by readers, creating a richer community for IT professionals.

A nice cup of tea rewired the datacenter

Electrical faults from improper upgrades caused tech failures, exemplifying the importance of quality in electrical infrastructure for computer systems.

This Offer Has Saved My Kids' (And My) Devices So Many Times

Managing devices is crucial for parents as children often misuse electronics; services like Verizon Mobile Protect are essential for peace of mind.

Watch out for phishing schemes, malicious actors in wake of CrowdStrike-linked global tech outage | CBC News

Beware of phishing schemes posing as tech specialists in the aftermath of the global tech outage.

Abused screwdriver skewered a server

Readers can find solace in sharing tech support horror stories, like Mel's experience with upgrading an old NEC machine.

8 Remote Jobs You Can Do From Your Phone

More people prefer remote work post-pandemic, facilitated by apps like Slack and Discord.

Software support chap survived breaking his customer

Tech support may need to deal with technically challenged clients; backups are crucial

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