Parents and Computers Rant

"Snuze: Needs another Swede" (markg)
09/02/2016 at 14:41 • Filed to: None

I’ve basically just been informed that I will now be spending at least one day of my weekend at my parents attempting to wade thru a computer recovery due to a recent lightning storm. The computer was on a surge strip, but I don’t have a whole lot of faith in those things, and based on attempting to talk my mom through troubleshooting via text message, I think it’s a goner. Naturally this is the computer that has all the tax information for my dad’s business and they need to get it to the accountant soon so this has become an emergency.

Now, let me pause here and say that I love my parents, I truly do. I try very hard to recognize they weren’t raised with technology in the same way I was and cut them some slack. But really, this whole parents throwing technology at their kids and going “make it work” trope is getting tired. Troubleshooting got nowhere and I told her that it’s probably dead. So she just starts throwing out suggestions like:

“Oh, well just put it on my laptop!” Yeah, her Macbook (nevermind there isn’t a Mac version of the software) that’s from 10 years ago and doesn’t have a battery so it dies if you accidentally bump the power plug.

“Well how about your father’s computer?” Oh, the Windows 10 machine we just got him? I’m sure 19 year old tax software is compatible with that. (As an aside, F&#@ Windows 10 - I’d rather eat a bowl full of glass than use that on a daily basis)

“Well just put it on your computer!” I don’t think you understand how a computer works at all! Maybe I should take all the computers in the house and light them on fire. No one under this roof deserves this level of technology.

It just frustrates the hell out of me because I have been imploring them to take a computer class, or at least watch some YouTube videos. Hell, just google stuff! Anything! And for the love of god, back stuff up! I’ve repeatedly shown then how to do this and they just... DON’T! Not that I’m too surprised, they switched to filing quarterly, and literally ever quarter I have to go show my mom how to put the tax information on a USB drive. Like you plug in a USB stick, and drag one file. The only simpler operation there is on a computer is turning it the F!%# ON!

I’m to the point I just can’t even. If you need me this weekend I’ll be in my rack, passed out drunk.

/rant

DISCUSSION (48)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 14:44

Your dad owns his own business? Sounds like he could afford to just hire a computer guy.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
09/02/2016 at 14:45

He’s a one man show. My mom helps him with some of the book-keeping. And apparently I’m the on-call IT guy. I have no idea what my sister’s role in all of this is.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 14:46

Ugg, Yup I moved 200 miles away to get away from that. Well not really, but it has helped.

E90M3 > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 14:47

When I lost my job in Texas, I said I wanted to be closer to home, now that I’ve been at my parents house for ~7 weeks, I’m starting to rethink that decision.

deekster_caddy > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 14:48

The biggest point to stress (especially now) is backup, backup, backup. If you don’t have at least two other copies of your data, you don’t have a backup. If it’s that important to him, !!!!!

In good news, although the power supply and maybe motherboard is probably toast, the hard drive probably still works. You should hope that’s the case, anyhow. Good luck!

My mother (above 70s, she would be upset if I said more) got rid of her computer and has everything on an ipad mini and iphone now. All of her photos sync to Flickr and everything else works great. She knows to come over to my house to run a backup occasionally and to keep her software updated. I’m actually quite impressed with her desire to stay mobile and keep up with technology!

Dave the car guy , still here > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 14:48

The question is which one will flip out when you tell them the hard drive is cooked?

X37.9XXS > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 14:50

Oh, well

Kinja'd!!!

Snuze: Needs another Swede > CaptDale - is secretly British
09/02/2016 at 14:53

See, you say that, but I used to get random phone calls when I was in the Navy and lived 10+ hours away. Though my sister was also around and she’s probably not as computer savvy as I am, but she’s not too shabby either. I moved back and I’m only an hour away, and now my sister is living overseas, so I’m back to being the full time computer guy.

jkm7680 > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 14:54

Speaking of surge protectors, the one I’ve used ever since I got a computer was made in 1995.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > deekster_caddy
09/02/2016 at 14:55

I’ve been stressing backup for years, but it falls on deaf ears. I highly doubt this will change much. It might for like a month, but after that they will forget about it.

And your mother rocks, that’s awesome. My dad has an iPad which he’s slowly becoming more proficient with. He’s not too bad with the computer but he also doesn’t want to do much. Just write word documents, check e-mail, and occasionally look something up on the internet. My mom is the one with the iPhone and all the other stuff, she wants it all and gets excited when she sees other people doing things with technology, but has absolutely no desire whatsoever to learn how anything works so long as she has me or my sister around to hold her hand through it.

smobgirl > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 14:56

Not even kidding, when my mom would call during college I got to the point where I just answered with “Technical Support, this is Smobgirl!”

I'm so glad my brother lives at home again and gets to do everything instead.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 14:56

Rough, then again my parents are pretty savvy, it’s my grandparents I have issues with

Snuze: Needs another Swede > E90M3
09/02/2016 at 14:57

I went through the same thing when I got out of the Navy and moved back home. Eventually I got married just so I could get the hell out of the house.

Just kidding.... well... sort of.

Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 14:57

Do you think the power surge fried the hard drives? I’ve never experience such a thing, and I could see the solid state media being non-recoverable, but I would imagine the disk platter in the HDD to be salvageable by recovery experts if absolutely necessary.

Also, I’ve had good experiences with VMWare to run legacy software at my engineering firm. There are probably good open source alternatives as well.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > jkm7680
09/02/2016 at 14:58

Has it ever taken a hit? I’ve found there are varying quality of protectors. I had a good one years ago on the first computer I built, and it took a hit and kept working, then took a second hard hit. It got fried but it save the computer. I think the cheapy Walmart ones don’t really do a whole lot.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 14:59

I have to occasionally troubleshoot my parents’ computers from the other side of the planet, so ... yeah ...

Sam > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 15:00

You should get them a NAS drive for their house. You can even set it up to auto-backup on a regular schedule, so they don’t even need to touch anything.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Dave the car guy , still here
09/02/2016 at 15:00

My dad, but he will get mad at my mom for not listening to me and backing things up. And because she’s bothering me to come fix it.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > smobgirl
09/02/2016 at 15:01

Hahah, that’s great. And I know what you mean, when I was in the Navy and my sister was living at home she was tech support, it was a nice break.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > CaptDale - is secretly British
09/02/2016 at 15:03

That’s good. My dad is okay, but he doesn’t really do much on the computer. My mom is difficult though.

My grandmother is 90 and kind of starting to lose it. They got her a cell phone, just the old flip kind, not a smart phone. She keeps losing and then accusing my one aunt of stealing it. That’s about as high tech as she gets.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed
09/02/2016 at 15:05

I don’t know. In my experience a power surge usually takes the power supply unit first, then the motherboard. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a HDD get knocked out, but I wouldn’t rule it out either. I’ll pull it and try to run it in an external enclosure. If it’s dead, it’s dead, I don’t think it’s worth sending to a recovery outfit. Anyways, there should be data from last quarter on a USB drive somewhere, so it’s not like the end of the world, we just have to get the software up and running and re-enter the last quarter’s information. A tedious task for sure, but definitely doable.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
09/02/2016 at 15:06

I think you might be a more patient man than I am.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 15:06

Ha ha, the aunt thing is kinda funny.

Yeah teching my 75 year old grandfather how to use the iPhone my dad bought him has been... interesting. I keep thinking I should just find a kid mode for it.

vicali > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 15:07

Kinja'd!!!

The files are in the computer?

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Sam
09/02/2016 at 15:07

I’ve kicked the idea around. The problem is that they would love to have something like that, but it’s only going to happen if I buy it, set it up, and install it. For as much as they want to have and use computers, iPads, iPhones, etc. they don’t really want to come off the money for it.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > CaptDale - is secretly British
09/02/2016 at 15:10

To me it’s very funny. She just really absolutely doesn’t like this one aunt. I mean, I feel bad for my aunt, she’s always been so nice and generous to my grandmother, and my grandmother just constantly accuses her of stealing things, everything from the cell phone to money out of her bank account to her favorite baking pan.

And yeah, kid mode would be good. I think smart phones could be good for older people, they are bright and colorful and probably easier to read than a little flip phone. But it’s gotta be simple.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
09/02/2016 at 15:10

I do it from 1000 miles away, not quite the planet but the country. It’s a pain in the ass isn’t it?

Snuze: Needs another Swede > vicali
09/02/2016 at 15:10

Basically.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 15:13

Fun story (giving I’m the tech guy for my parents and grandpa that are 1000 miles away).

“We want a security camera for grandpa’s front door so we can watch remotely to make sure the home helper people come by can you tell us what kind of camera to buy? Not concerned on price just want it to be good.”

Sure - buy a Ring door bell. you can hook it to your phone and my aunt’s phone (a different 1000 miles away) so you can all see when someone comes over.

we want a camera not a door bell

The door bell has a camera in it

we don’t want that we we want a camera

Do you want to drill holes and wire the camera for power and ethernet cable?

Buy a ring door bell

we want a camera

THERE’S ONE IN THE DOORBELL WATCH THE VIDEO I SENT YOU

we want a camera

I QUIT I’M NOT HELPING YOU

***2 days go buy***

We bought a ring door bell this thing is amazing.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/02/2016 at 15:22

So much yes!

One time my mom asked me to help her with something on the computer that was really trivial, and it was like 10 pm and I still had to drive an hour home and get up for work the next day, and she springs it on me right before I’m about to leave.

“Can you come help me do this thing on the computer?”

“Okay fine. First close all the open windows”

“How do I close a window?”

“The same way you close them when I’m not here.”

“You’re such a smart ass, fine, just leave, I don’t need your help, I’ll figure it out myself”

Next day at work, I get a phone call “I can’t figure out how to do this thing, can you talk me through it?”

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 15:36

HAHAHA

You gotta accept my smart ass remarks if you want your free tech support. Comes with the job.

It also comes with tech support you pay for, so you’re getting “smart ass” either way, may as well still get free.

There was even more to the ring story btw.

They had my grandpa on 5 mbps down 1 mbps up internet. The Ring needs at least 2.5 up or something like that. I was like WHO DOESN’T HAVE 2.5 MBPS INTERNET?! HE HAS CABLE INTERNET!!! So then it took like 4 trips for the cable company to get out there, find out his modem was tragically outdated (cable company provided so he was paying a rental on it, which makes me want to rip my hair out) and then his router couldn’t handle the newer signal. I was losing my mind from so far away and furious at the cable company for ripping off my grandpa for how much I’m sure he was paying for shit service. While I’m at home pushing 37 mbps down for 25 bucks a month.

In the end it worked perfectly for what they wanted. My grandpa moved to assisted living a couple months ago and my parents liked the ring bell so much they ripped it off his house before selling and put it on their own.

Jerks.

All of them.

Except my grandpa, he’s done nothing wrong in this scenario.

Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 15:43

Good luck and Godspeed.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/02/2016 at 15:43

That is a completely ridiculous story. The internet at my parents is similarly slow, but the area they live in is somewhat rural so it’s not too surprising. But I’m glad it all worked out in the end.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed
09/02/2016 at 15:44

Thank you!

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 15:45

Look up and show them Cobian Backup - free backup software, you can schedule backups to a flash drive or external HDD they can leave plugged in 24/7. At least in that sense they wouldn’t have to try and learn to back up their stuff manually. Might make your work a bit easier - it’s finicky to set up, but once it is, it’s set-and-forget.

I’ve had no issues with Win10 so far, did an upgrade from 7. There are things I don’t like about the new interface, but overall, I’m pretty used to it now for the most part and gaven’t had anything untoward happen.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
09/02/2016 at 15:47

I’m having endless issues with it working with my dad’s printer. And it’s a new(ish) printer, HP OfficeJet 8620, only about a year old.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 15:52

I must admit it’s probably the absolute worst one i’ve dealt with for them.

Also - I’m jealous of the doorbell I want one now.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/02/2016 at 15:57

Yeah, I want to look into this now too!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 16:00

It can be set up so it has a motion sensor and notifies to your phone when someone is range (range is adjustable by distance) and also of course when the button is pushed. Goes right to a phone (android or iphone) and you can even talk through it like “leave the package on the door step, thanks!” It’s GREAT.

Also freaks the living shit out of the UPS guy.

Dogapult > smobgirl
09/02/2016 at 16:58

Even your parents call you Smobgirl? that’s dedication. [/sarcasm]

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 17:00

Might not be Win10's fault possibly, could be HP’s in the sense they produced crummy drivers...?

What’s the issue with it? :)

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/02/2016 at 18:16

The easiest and quickest fix most likely will be to swap out the damaged part with a working used version of the same. And keep your fingers crossed that the hard drive is okay and it’s just the power supply and/or maybe the motherboard.

And if you can’t find the exact motherboard, there are places that can repair it for you.

And for the future, you may want to create a virtual machine on an existing system that you install the old OS and old software in. And from there, you just backup the who virtual image and makes life easier if you ever have to recover the system again.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
09/06/2016 at 13:33

So the problem with the old computer with the tax stuff, turned out to be trivial. I don’t know exactly what the problem was, but I’d hit power and it would just beep, no POST or anything. I opened it up to start troubleshooting and it was filthy inside, so I vacuumed it clean, and I bumped one of the RAM sticks in the process and noticed it was loose. So I reseated the RAM and it worked. Easy day.

As for the Win10 machine, you’re right, it could be HP’s fault.

When I first set it up, everything worked perfectly. It has 2 printers, a 940C connected via USB as a backup printer, and then the 8620 which is on WiFi. In the devices I had the 940C, 8620 Printer, and 8620 Fax, which my dad loves because he still does a lot of faxing. Everything worked great for a few weeks, then it stopped printing to the 8620.

I went over, fooled with it for a bit without much luck, and then on a whim ran Windows Update. It updated some stuff and lo-and-behold it started printing again, but I lost the 8620 Fax in the devices. I ran out of time so I told him I’d come back and fool with the fax portion later, but at least he could print and manually fax. So 2 weeks ago it completely stopped printing to either printer. It was the day before I was leaving for a work trip to Japan so he didn’t tell me, he just swapped back to his old computer because at least it will print to the 940C.

So I went back yesterday, hooked the Win10 machine back up, and it wouldn’t print. I ran Windows Update again and there must have been a big service pack or something because it spent quite a while updating (probably almost an hour). Then I deleted both devices, the 940C and 8620 printer, and reinstalled the drivers. So now I’m back to the point where it prints to both. I still don’t have the 8620 Fax though, which I’d like to get working again.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
09/06/2016 at 13:35

Oddly enough it turned out to be RAM related. I verified what my mom said was happening - push power and it just sat there beeping, no display or anything. So I opened the case up to start troubleshooting and it was filthy inside. I got the vacuum and started cleaning it out and I bumped a RAM stick and it seemed very loose, so I re-seated it and viola! It booted!

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/06/2016 at 13:43

That’s great news! Now make a backup ghost image of the entire system and then use that to virtualize the system:

And you don’t need to use VMWare... you can also use something like VirtualBox in Linux:

https://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?…

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
09/06/2016 at 13:54

Good idea. That will be my next task.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/06/2016 at 16:30

Glad it is working now, it sounded like a driver issue to me! :)

Snuze: Needs another Swede > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
09/07/2016 at 08:56

Thanks! So far so good, haven’t gotten any angry calls from dad. I still want to get the fax working, but I can deal with that another weekend.