Replaced a SATA hard drive for an HP desktop. The end user said he only had the PC for about four months. The original HD was not recognized by the BIOS. I replaced the drive with no issues. I started the OS recovery using DVDs that the EU made himself. I left when it was about 15% done. The EU said he used the recovery disks before so I was pretty confident the recovery will be successful. Besides, it was not my responsibility to see that the recovery finishes successfully.
I dropped of Lolita’s Gateway PC at her workplace in Costa Verde. I reinstalled the OS using the Gateway recovery DVD, ran updates, installed MSOffice 2003 and Adobe Reader.
Went to the Living Room Cafe in El Cajon, waited for the parts to arrive via FEDEX. Soon as the package came, I swapped the motherboard of the Dell SX280. Called Emma and she connected remotely and finished the configuration.
One of the easier assignments I got. The job description was to set up a multi function printer but when I got to the end user’s house I found out the printer they bought was a regular HP color ink jet printer. The EU was an elderly lady with an old Win98 PC and dial-up AOL.
Current open job is for some guy in Jamul with a Xerox Xpress 36. He tried to set it up but could not get the computer to recognize the printer. At first I thought the problem was with the cables he was using. But when I ran the SCSI utility, the SCSI card recognized the device. When I booted back up to Windows XP, the OS recognized the device but could not install the printer driver for it. I suspect Xerox does not have the XP printer driver for the Xerox XPress.
I am thinking of building an NT box for him with a SCSI card to test. Maybe the drivers will work better with it.
Good thing he was satisfied with what I did even if we did not completely got his printer going. I billed him for an hour and he wrote a check and signed the work order. He also gave me a $20 tip for making his print server work.
This is a job from OnSite Computer Services, my first one from them. They have a bit different process that CompUSA or Dell. They make the EU pay by check or credit card. I’d have to fax a copy of the check and sales receipt and then mail them the originals. I’ll do that Monday, then close the work order.
Arrived at the end user’s place around 7:45PM, Thursday. Unhooked their old computer and hooked the new computer in its place. The new computer booted just fine. Went through the initial WinXP setup with end user. Made sure internet connectivity was working, powered PC off and on to make sure it keeps working. Had end user sign off on the work order.
Replacement part did not come with preprinted waybill. Called OnForce. They said HP does not need power supplies so there’s no need for me to return the part. Faxed signed work order. Completed work order for payment.
Scheduled for Monday 3/23 bet 8-10am. End user is in Chula Vista. PC turns on for 3 sec. then shuts down. Will pickup replacement power supply from FEDEX.
Hopefully, its just the power supply. Could be anything. PC has not been working since out of the box. If it’s not the power supply and I could figure out what it is, that would be good. I may be able to increase the spend limit if I do additional work.
Packed Jonh’s old hard drive. Called DHL to schedule for pickup. Put package at the front desk. AB# A45139641024 Ref#111013.
SATA hard drive ready for pickup. Reference # 113917