Who Are We Going To Call?

So my computer once again had a meltdown and it’s all f%$#ed up. So I thought I would share my routine of what happens when I have problems. Many people never really know what happens when someone from the help desk has a computer problem. Who do we ask for help? Who do we send a support ticket to? I’ll break down the five steps we (or at least I) take to resolve computer issues:

photo credit: theyoungthousands

1. We Try Everything Google Tells Us To Do

I googled a bunch of different phrases and found a bunch of different solutions. Of course, none of them helped me in any way, shape, or form. Not even the Microsoft page helped me resolve this thing. Not that this is surprising…

So my last resort was to try a system restore, which is supposed to “restore” your machine to a different time. It works 60% of the time. Everything appeared to work, until the machine rebooted to the login page. The PC stopped recognizing my USB mouse or keyboard. Which makes it tough to sign in.

Time for the next step…

2. We Ask For Help

Now is the time when most employees would look to their technical support staff. They would tell them their computer is smoking and it needs to be resolved ASAP. This works, unless of course, you are the technical support staff.
Considering I am the go-to person within the company for fixing these types of issues, there really isn’t much I can do as far as asking for help.

I asked one person what they thought, and they responded with “did you reboot?” I am pretty sure that was some sarcasm in my face for telling the same person this multiple times.

So instead of asking technical support employees for help, we look to forums on the internet. We post our problems in tons of different threads and just wait for the first response. That is, if your lucky enough to get one. I was unable to get any replies on what to try. This is most likely do to the fact that it is Friday and the majority of IT staff around the country are staring at the clock waiting to go home.

Grr, now what?

3. We Enjoy A Fresh Cold Beer

That’s right, at this point we say screw it and take our 2 hour lunch break. So I walked down to the local pizzeria, grabbed a slice of pizza and a ice cold draft beer. Mmm

It’s a nice way to relax, ponder life a bit, and then decide what’s easier: Finding a new job? Or trying to fix this damn computer? I decided with trying to fix it, mostly because I don’t feel like dressing up for a new job interview. Yuck

4. We Reformat The Fricken’ Thing

At this point, we just give up and take the cowards way out. Throw the operating system disc in, boot it up, and wipe the damn thing. There is no easier solution to a computer problem than completly reinstalling everything. I am writing this from a loaner laptop while I stare at my Windows XP install screen, which has said 34 minutes remaining for the last 13 minutes.

And if that doesn’t work…

5. We Order A New Computer

And last but not least, we end up ordering a new computer. It’s nice when you work in IT, and have access to the Dell website to order equipment. It’s pretty easy to say, well this computer is broke we need a new one. No one questions you when your the “tech guy.”

So I am thinking about getting a new, faster machine for my desk. That way I can multitask more efficiently, and get more work done on my blog.

PS. Have A Great Weekend!

Every once in awhile, something happens at work that gives me a little joy.A little hope that maybe some better and more exciting days will come.  It does not happen very often, but it does happen on occasion. And today just happens to be one of those days.

What Happened You Say?

Well, I was given another monitor to use at my desk by my boss. I have been using one since I started this job, which can be a real pain when you have 100 different windows open all the time. So I am writing this post with two displays, woo hoo!

Apparently, having dual displays can gelp me get “more work done.” Or at least that is what I was told. Honestly, I would rather just hire another employee to help me instead of getting another monitor. But it isn’t my call so I will take what I can get. I have quickly adapted to this dual monitor thing and have already increased my productivity. Check out a screen shot of me working on two projects at the same time (click to enlarge):

Now That’s What I Call Multitasking

I can sit and pretent to be looking at my Outlook, and read the hilarious postings on the women seeking men section of Craigslist at the same time! I can’t wait to see what else I can use this for. I already have a few more ideas…

There’s No Such Thing As Bad Publicity Baby…

This blog’s popularity has not been increasing like I had hoped it would. It is really hard to stay on top of the blogosphere and compete with so many other good blogs. Content is crucial, and it is very hard to come up with great content day in and day out. So I did a lot of thinking last night and realized I really only have one solution.

To Release A Sex Tape

You read that right! I have decided to release a sex tape, sort of like celebrities do. It seems whenever this happens, their popularity shoots through the roof.

Look what happened to Paris? As soon as that tape came out, people were googling away like it was the last day left on Earth. That is the type of publicity Life of Justin needs to become popular.

So by releasing my own video, I hope to skyrocket my traffic, create tons of backlinks, and end up on every entertainment Television show. I know it is a lot to ask, but it is worth a shot. Even if it brightens someones day, at least I can feel like I made a difference.

How I Feel About This

I must admit, I am a little nervous scared shitless about this whole escapade. I mean, who knows what this could do to my reputation. It could either skyrocket me to fame, or crush everything I stand for. Sometimes it is hard to take a risk, but you know what? Nothing big ever happens to people that sit around and hope something magically happens to them.

Big things only happen to those that risk it all and never look back. Besides, I am 22 years old and have plenty of time to rebuild my reputation if it comes to that.

Time For The Video (Warning, This Contains Adult Material)

Before you judge the video, I just want to say that it may not be the best video ever made, but it is a solid effort. I did not have the proper studio equipment to make this thing a full blown HD quality masterpiece.

Anyways, I am done pitching my video like it’s some crappy infomercial product. Check it out for yourself:

Well, What Did You Think?

Please share ANY comment you may have about it. Did you hate it? If so, tell me why. Did you love it? Good, thenI tell your sister, mother, dad, dentist, and any other person you have ever talked to about it. Tell them to spread the word, I need all the help I can get to blow the lid off this thing.

It’s Friday and I am sick of getting asked ridiculous questions at work. So I created this sign that I really really want to hang up at my desk:

What Do You Think?

I think it would really make people go what?!? It would definitely help weed out some of the stupid questions I get asked on a day to day basis. However, it probably wouldn’t go over to well with management…

Anyone else know the feeling?

Like It? Subscribe to Life of Justin!

I have decided that I am going to start sharing a video every Friday to help everyone get through the last day of the work week. So this week, I am going to do a little throwback to one of the first videos I ever made here on Life of Justin. So here you have it:

For those of you new to the site, I originally came up with this idea sitting in my cubicle hungover one day. I really wanted to sleep, and all I could think of was sleeping in a bathroom stall. Check out the original idea over at my post, The Bathroom Stall Hammock.I plan to do some photography and hiking this weekend, so stick around for some new stuff that may just pop up on Sunday. In the mean time, have a great weekend!