DocAndersen
I have been chasing a strange technology issue for the past three days. Netflix, which runs on our connected cable box, loads shows to about 24% and then hangs there. I tried a couple of tricks after a Google search; it worked one time, and then stopped again. I am going to have to spend time on the pheon to deal with this, I am sure. I have a rule about troubleshooting if I can’t fix it in 3 hours or less, call someone else. It comes from the years I spent on the helpdesk when I was first in IT. Three hours is about the maximum time you can spend troubleshooting something before both parties start to get frustrated. Network issues are often harder than other IT or Technology issues.
In part they, network, issues are harder is that for the most part we are connecting to work or things we enjoy doing. So the willingness to have an issue goes down! The most important thing, sometimes, is just knowing someone else had the problem. That is the beauty of Google, Bing, Yahoo, or other search engines. That you find quickly someone else has the same issue. Not that I would wish the issue on someone else, but that it is sometimes nice to know that someone else is also having the same problem. That got me thinking about problem solving and troubleshooting issues. Many years ago, I used to write a column for a magazine called the Vanilla Network.
The goal of taking something to vanilla is to remove the variables. I know that there are many things that are variables in the computer world. The computer you use, the browser you used, the virus scanner you use and what version of the operating system you are on (Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 or the now three releases beyond 10), Linux (Mint, Ubuntu, CentOS and many more) and Mac (10 or higher, 9 or lower). Each has variables within how they operate. It makes troubleshooting issues hard some times. So, as an IT professional, we always seek to get to Vanilla. One of the things I have built is a vanilla Windows 7, 8, and ten computers (called a virtual machine) so I can test things that are impacting me.
Sometimes it is my problem! Sometimes it is not. It is knowing absolutely the answer to that question makes my life easier.
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Question of
Do you troubleshoot problems at home?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Do you have a time limit for issues? Two hours? One Hour?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Do you sometimes wish there was an easy button for issues?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Do you sometimes wonder if you are going the wrong way?
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Yes
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No
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Well, I have often had to call on help. In NZ I quite often had to call another expert for help because at first I was new to computers,,, I managed to get help and learn something.
The other day, I had an issue with my iPad and looked up help on safari from my mac book and resolved it myself because the instructions helped me.
Good for you!!!!! I started working on computer issues in the days before the internet. I have found with Google or Bing, that I can solve most problems a lot faster by simply searching!
You’ve touched very curious questions, as always!!! Try to troubleshoot PC problems independently, but if it’s very difficult call the specialists (sometimes during the day, or next day, or during the week – all depends of problem’s importance).
that is very true! I always try to avoid wasting too much of my time!
Q: Do you troubleshoot problems at home?
Yes (3 votes) – 75%
No (1 votes) – 25%
Q: Do you have a time limit for issues? Two hours? One Hour?
Yes (1 votes) – 25%
No (3 votes) – 75%
Q: Do you sometimes wish there was an easy button for issues?
Yes (4 votes) – 100%
Q: Do you sometimes wonder if you are going the wrong way?
Yes (4 votes) – 100%
I’m trying to solve the problem myself first. If I do not succeed, I’ll call a specialist.
May I ask how long you wait before you call the specialist? for me I have a 3 hour rule (if i am still stuck at 3 hours, I call).
I take a little more time, I’ll call the expert the next day ?
I do not blame you for that – good way to operate@
In truth, I do not know anything about this, my friend … if it does not know the problem, I will call a woman to call the operator
Knowing when to ask for help is half the battle!
You always find a friendly comment for me, my friend…Thank you verry much
The same is true, returning the favor you have granted me many times!
I often wonder if I going in the wrong direction in life.
Good luck with your issues. I dropped Netflix years ago.
Too many reruns for me and I don’t enjoy the tv series.
Thanks I am going to solve the problem! The kids love Netflix. they don’t even watch tv anymore.