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Why?

I admit that I am sobbing uncontrollably as I write this post. It could just be fatigue brought on by my relentless schedule but I think it has more to do with my computer. It is hard to see the screen through the tears and I may end up shorting out my keyboard which would be a shame, it is a special wireless keyboard designed for nine fingered bloggers and very expensive.

I want to write about a big why. Everyone has a big why in their life. I want to know why model names, numbers, and serial numbers on computers are always on the bottom and upside down on laptop computers and on the back and sideways on computer towers.

That's not all. I want to know why they are in a microscopic font undetectable by the human eye.

Actually there is more. When I call tech support the guy with the heavy accent always says his name is "John" and asks for the numbers. I am patient because I know that my heavy accent makes me hard to understand, so I spell things out. If I don't give john the numbers he won't help. He can't, I think they will fire him if he goes outside of his script. I don't want John to get fired, I admire his spunk, he is maybe someone's husband and father. His mother loves him I am sure. I have a son so I understand.

Yesterday I called tech support to let them know that I can't get technical support for my computer because I can't read the tag.

John and I had a nice long talk, but he could not help me with out those numbers. He told me where they are located on my notebook and what the tag looks like. He even advised me to turn my computer off and flip it over. I told him that I was home alone and that there was no one to help me and that I could not read my tag. He could tell I was crying, not about being home alone but about the tags.

I really need answers to my big why's. I went on the support web site and found instant chat. Without the numbers on the bottom of my computer I can not use the on-line chat service. I tried to start a chat session by selecting one of the model numbers from the menu. The tech support person could not help me without knowing the model number of my computer.

Why? I have a service contract and can not use it because I can't read the numbers on the tag.

Why? I can't complain about the numbers and the tag because I can't read the numbers and they need them to make a complaint.

Why? With all of the technology we have why is it that no one has invented a readable tag prominently displayed on that huge space on either side of the built in pointing device? Where they put the large stickers that say "Windows Vista"?

Why?

Posted by Teresa Boardman on 03/01/2007 06:29 AM

Comments (28)

computers, tech support

28 Comments on Why?

MAR

2007

Sorry, in the midst of your grief, I am laughing like crazy. If it helps. I agree completely. Don't go off that script or you go back to working on the farm!

Teresa,

You sound like you had the same kind of experience that I had about a month ago. I got up in the middle of the night in order to have less wait time with tech support. When I finally, after 25 minutes, was connected to "John" (his name was no more John than mine is Hashib) from India, he insisted he had to have my model number, serial number, system product number, heck...I think he even asked the name of my first born son. Anyway, after 10 minutes of going back and forth with me telling him I couldn't find or read this info, he hung up on me! Five minutes after he hung up on me, I found my "warranty and support guide" which told me all I had to do was to press Ctrl+Alt+S keys on the keyboard at the same time and this info comes up on my screen! (Try it, it really does work...at least on my computer). My question is, why the heck didn't this moron who is suppose to be helping me tell me this? If I could've reached him, I would've knocked him out!

Lucky :)

lucky - doesn't work in windows vista. Now I am crying again. :)

I just tried Ctrl+Alt+S and it doesn't work on my Gateway desktop with Windows XP.

Teresa, you asked "Why?"... I'll tell you why... because the ADA (.gov) or some other similar group has not fought for larger, more prominently displayed stickers that can actually be seen and read by the visually impaired! The computer companies so far have only seen this as being YOUR problem, not THEIRS. Unfortunately, just as with nutrition labels on food packages, the computer manufacturers will not likely be changing their ways any time soon unless the gov't steps in and sets some ground rules. Sad, but true.

Leanne - stop the name calling. I am not visually impaired, I am almost totally challenged. :)

T, if you're almost "totally challenged" then I don't want to even think about what that makes me! ;-)

It's not just the computer. When one has an allergy and needs to read the contents on everything, it's impossible to carry a magnifying glass strong enough to shop for your groceries. The top of my laptop has a nice HP in the middle of it. Why can't they put the tag there?

For what it's worth Ctrl+Alt+S doesn't work on my system either!

Another Fabulous Post Teresa,

The momentum building could only been improved with a conclusion ending chreszendo of a Personal photo of you pulling your hair out. I loved it.

So Why is it when you are searching for a download or file on the Internet that you end up on a web page that maybe has 200 pages attached to it and you are at page 1 wondering where in the H..... the file you wanted is at ?

I wanted to add the Japanese language translator to my Internet explorer. I received a " place your cd in "New computers no longer come with the CD. Doesn't Microsoft Know this? Couldn't they have given me another option that went to their download site. At the download site couldn't they have verified my computer as legitimate and not a stolen computer. They sure as heck no how to find me quick enough when they want to sell me something .

WHY WHY WHY !

Teresa...

I know that this will not help you now but perhaps in the future it will. I keep a little notebook with seriel numbers and passwords in it. I have found that it comes in handy for times like these.

Having had this happen to me I feel you pain. Don't Cry...Don't Worry...Be Happy...Then pray :)

TLW...ROAR

I believe this is much bigger than you realize. Call Jack or Chloe at CTU. This could be a conspiracy.

The Windows Paradox.

Kind of reminds me of the turmoil in the Tom Hanks movie The Terminal - trapped in limbo, with no solution, hampered by beaurocracy.

Or my own:

Upon trying to leave Chile after a 9 month stay, with an expired (6 month) turist visa, I was told I wouldn't be allowed to leave the country until I paid the fine on the expired visa. I was at the airport, ticket in hand, and now an illegal immigrant. The fine needed to be paid at the downtown immigration office. I was issued an emergency 24 hr visa. The immigration office had me fill out paperwork for my visa and fine(8AM) and take it to the Municipal Police, who notorized it (10AM). From there I had to go to the Treasury to pay the fine (12noon), back to the Muni Police for notorization of payment (2pm) and finally back to Immigration to prove I had paid the balance on my fine allowing me to leave the country (4:15pm) They closed at 4pm.

So, the next day I had to apply for an emergency 24 hr visa at 8AM again at Inmigration, back to the Muni Police etc etc etc until I was able to get it all done just before 4pm... allowing me to finally leave the country. I got to Immigration with 5 mins to spare, sweating and swearing. Some times it's just not easy getting through the red tape.

Herb - you must not have read dear abby/teresa, my hair fell out a long time ago.

Jim welcome back, grab a tissue

TLW - I can't read the numbers or I would write then down. Jack is going to flip it over tomorrow and try the magnifying glass, so I'll stop crying.

Bonnie - a neighbor of mine died because he could not read or understand the ingredients on a package.

Linda - i am sure it is a conspiracy at the risk of sounding paranoid I would just bet that the numbers on everyone elses computer are bigger than the numbers on mine.

Teresa-

I can't answer your why either... but I can say Thank You for the humor you provided me this afternoon!

I completely feel your pain!

Teresa: Sorry, it works on mine. Maybe it is just an HP tool. Just trying to help.

Senior Tomato: It sounds like Groundhog Day Chile style! Hey, I like tomatoes in my chili! Sorry, I just couldn't resist that one.

Lucky :)

Lucky - my computer is an HP. It works on the XP HP but not on the vista HP.

MAR

2007

Teresa,

You would think that once a company does this that they would continue a handy tool like that. Wait a minute....that would be like, common sense. Nevermind. What was I thinking?

Lucky :)

I called again last night. I can't stop crying and am almost out of kleenex.

Teresa, Seth also wrote about something similar to this:

"Add this to your rules of thumb file:

When designing something (anything), if it doesn't cost you (in terms of design, brand or functionality), then always use bigger type.

I just wrestled a Linksys router to the ground after an hour. On the back of the router, the IP address and password are embossed in 8 point silver type (on a silver background). The cost of making it twice the size: zero. Same with your...." read the rest of the post

Teresa,

I think Vista is your problem, we all know Microsoft is going to need 5 or 6 years to work the bugs out of their new operating system, and when they almost have it they will release Vista XL or something that reqiures another $250 upgrade.

Terry Lynch

Jonathan - I have not seen Seth's post. I do follow his blog I am a fan. The problem really is that they could make the font bigger but they don't know that it is a problem. no one can tell them that it is a problem because they would have to be able to read the numbers before complaining so that they can complain. How would a person go about letting them know that the numbers are too small? i don't have a clue.

Why? Why? Why? Do they shrink wrap gadgets of all kind in plastic that even the Hulk would have a hard time penetrating?

Why is it harder to get into the mayonaisse jar than Fort Knox?

Why is the serial numbers of 40 inch tv's in the armoire on the back side???

Why??????......... to drive us... nuts nuts nuts nuts nuts nuts .....

nuts nuts nuts nuts nuts

nuts nuts nuts

MAR

2007

I too am blind as a bat and can no longer read fine print. I keep an extra strength magnifying glass and either a lighter or a strong flashlight handy. It seems with the combo of these two and my reading glasses I can sometimes read some of that dang small print. What a pain in the butt!

Laurie - I feel your pain. The day I wrote this post I was a bit agitated as I discovered I can no longer fill out the MLS input form because there is a section with little dots and the writing next to them is light gray and must be in a 2 point font. I had to have one of the youngsters in our office read it to me and fill in the dots. I eneded up calling our MLS and found that the form is now being offered electronically. Cool, now I can blow it up and click instead of relying on the kindness of strangers. :)

Lenn - you are so funny! I have glasses and was wearing them while attempting to read the tag. I even tried a stronger pair and still could not do it.

Teresa, my new trifocals help me out in these situations now. Even as I type this comment, some of the letters on the screen are a bit blurry. I just put my glasses on and all is well now. Hilarious post!

MAR

2007

TB... you big baby. I never cry.

Smile it Forward...

MAR

2007

I say ... BABY BOOMERS WITH BIFOCALS, UNITE!!!!!

Now, how 'bout those child-proof packages!

I should write to Dear Abbey ...

Dear Abby:

I'm called a senior citizen but I don't feel like one until I try to read instruction manuals or open aspirin bottles. My eyes and hands apparently are much older than I am. How did this happen?

Sincerely, Decrepit

SEP

2007

Hey, you are NOT alone. We just released the '5 Steps for a Happy Computer' special report at this site.

http://www.kauaikeepsakes.com/realestate/

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