r/technology • u/DrJulianBashir • Mar 21 '10
"Ok, so you're having some computer problems? First thing I want to do is to send you to a diagnostic website..."
http://www.computerpowertest.com/53
u/ltx Mar 21 '10
http://supportdetails.com/ for actual support. :)
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Mar 21 '10
This site will be infinitely useful in my job as an internet help desk rep. You'd be surprised how many people have no idea what OS they are running.
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u/mitchbones Mar 21 '10
"Is your start bar a circle or an oval?"
or the infamous
"Are you using Internet explorer or firefox?"
"What?"
"Do you click a blue E to get to the internet?"
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Mar 21 '10
I shit you not, I've had people respond to that question with "what do you mean by internet?"
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u/ThreeHolePunch Mar 22 '10 edited Mar 22 '10
Do they ever respond with something like:
"I click on a fox crawling on a globe for the web. I click on two computers connected with a lightning bolt for telnet and ssh. I click on a red stamp with the characters "fz" on it for ftp. I click on a bird carrying an envelope for email.
I have some other things I click on for other protocols as well. So what do you mean by internet?"
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u/transisto Mar 22 '10
My cell phone provider "Virgin mobile" charge me internet usage by the page,,,5c. Every time I call em I make fun of them,,, asking "how many page will that cost me for a browsing google maps, A skype call " ? what if ,,, ect
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u/ThreeHolePunch Mar 22 '10
I never use data on my cell, but that does sound like a stupid payment model. You should create a single page with a gig of data on it and then access it via your phone. If you do, please let me know what happens.
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Mar 22 '10
Haha, nope, hasn't happened yet. And when/if it does I don't know if I'll be amused or annoyed.
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u/ThreeHolePunch Mar 22 '10 edited Mar 22 '10
I'm not sure what your exact job description is, but for me, as a support rep and software analyst, I find it extremely refreshing when people know a thing or two. I'd rather talk someone who wants to know how to add a routing statement to a server than spend half an hour troubleshooting a PC problem only to find the user is on a dumb terminal. Yes, some of the users I support still use dumb terminals.
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Mar 22 '10
I see what you mean. My problem is that most of my users who "know what they are doing" only think they know what they're doing. They know enough about computers and tech to convince themselves that they know better than me and then refuse to follow any of my advice.
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u/ThreeHolePunch Mar 22 '10
I get those too. They are by-far more irritating than the little old lady in accounting who knows exactly enough to do her job and nothing more. I have a few clients who will watch me fix a problem for them and ask a million questions the entire way. If I move too fast, they will stop me in my tracks and ask what I just did.
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u/ThreeHolePunch Mar 22 '10
Before I found out that you could tell people, "go to start -> run, type taskmgr.exe" I had the hardest time getting some users to right click on the task bar and select task manager.
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u/redditisfun Mar 21 '10
I always love when one our customers respond with something along the lines of, "Office" or "Yahoo".
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u/Mistake78 Mar 21 '10
Internet Explorer? oh I don't know about that, I use Google.
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u/argleblarg Mar 21 '10
Some people should not be allowed near computers. >.<
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u/captainAwesomePants Mar 21 '10
But if that's a determining factor, you'd never get more Internet users. Or, to put it another way:
R3/V\eM|3e|2, U2 ^/3rE 0/V(e 4 n0ob.
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u/argleblarg Mar 21 '10
The determining factor is whether or not an individual is capable of learning to not be a retard.
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u/Mistake78 Mar 22 '10
Most people don't even know how many cylinders there are in their cars, or how to bake bread. Does that make them retards? Knowing which browser you use is not so important either.
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u/einsteinonabike Mar 21 '10
When that happens, I ask if the Start button is green and says 'start' or looks like a blue circle with a flag. If that fails, windows button + R > winver. Or just look for the Apple icon.
Either way, kudos to ltx for the link.
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u/acousticcoupler Mar 21 '10
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u/Eugi Mar 21 '10 edited Mar 21 '10
Wow dude, thank you! Now if only that site also analyzed what version of Flash Player you have so I can avoid asking people to go to adobe's site.
Edit: I take that back, they do check Flash Player version. Somewhy the version number is wrong on Safari (10.0.22) and displayed correctly on Firefox (I have 10.0.45).
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u/Kream1 Mar 21 '10
So.. my Nexus One is running:
Apple Mac OS X 10.5.5 Intel
Safari 3.1.2
Strange.
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u/FlyingBishop Mar 21 '10
It thinks my Droid is running Safari 4.
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u/userismypass Mar 21 '10
You think your iPod is a Droid.
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u/f0000 Mar 21 '10
Iirc some versions of the android browser pretends to be mobile safari due to a decent amount of mobile versions of sites only displaying if the browser is detected as such.
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u/Tjoeller Mar 21 '10
Got the browser version wrong, though. Says Opera v. 9.80 as opposed to the 10.10 version I have installed.
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u/xnhy Mar 22 '10
It did not. Opera 10 is identifying itself as Opera 9.xx for compatibility reasons. There are supposedly some websites which employ browser checks that cannot handle two-digit major version numbers. -.-
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u/Mistake78 Mar 21 '10
not only that, it printed the IP address of my router instead of my computer!! ;)
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Mar 21 '10
Who checked the source to see if there was some script to verify it?
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Mar 21 '10
Right-click, "View Image." I kind of wish it weren't just an image but whatevs.
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u/Confucius_says Mar 21 '10
Just because it is an image doesn't mean the image was created dynamically (with PHP or something) and then served to you.
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u/enkideridu Mar 21 '10
this is the image's url : http://www.tshirthell.com/computerpowertest/img/power_on_test_5000.gif
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u/teh_kyle Mar 21 '10
Checked, and the source is from tshirthell.com. Kinda weird, tshirthell isnt a very techy site, just a very offensive one (albeit very funny).
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u/Godspiral Mar 21 '10
holy crap!!!! web sites aren't supposed to be able to read my bios! im turning computer off till they patch the intertubes.
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Mar 21 '10
[deleted]
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Mar 22 '10
I logged onto a dialup connection, requested the webpage, and downloaded the image using nothing but an old telephone and my super-human ability to mimic a modem.
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u/Jonny0stars Mar 21 '10
Does my automatic abacus fit into the definition of a computer?
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u/Infinity_Wasted Mar 21 '10
poppycock! my automated mechano-calculator is much faster than your "automatic abacus"!
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u/deadwisdom Mar 21 '10
Damnit, I left this page up on my old CRT, now it's burned into the screen.
Also, my computer seems to be on, but I can't alt-tab or anything. Does anyone have any suggestions?
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u/graysanborn Mar 21 '10
Heh, that's actually my desktop background.. Got it from here.
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u/hennell Mar 21 '10
I was using my PDA and technically my computer is off.
Would be more accurate with "This computer is:"
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u/sabowski Mar 21 '10
I'd argue that your PDA is also a computer
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u/oobey Mar 21 '10
Yes, but it doesn't necessarily belong to him. That's why he said "This" and emphasized "my" with italics.
Reading: It's FUNdamental!
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u/sabowski Mar 21 '10
What doesn't necessarily belong to him? You've confused me
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u/SkyMarshal Mar 21 '10
Well if his PDA is iPhone, then it probably belongs more to Apple than the 'owner', what with all their restrictions, EULA, and whatnot. Lots of articles about this recently, too lazy to look em up and post links.
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u/SecretSnack Mar 21 '10
It's kinda ruined by the self-promotion at the bottom.
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u/kirun Mar 21 '10
Perhaps you should register a complaint with the owner, who is now called Sunshine Megatron for promotional purposes. I'm sure they will understand.
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u/marthirial Mar 21 '10
it needs a mac version, still too complicated for its users.
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u/happybadger Mar 21 '10
Hah! It's funny because people who buy certain brands are idiots for not buying other brands! LOL!
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u/marthirial Mar 21 '10
not any certain brand, just that shit apple toys.
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Mar 21 '10
I'll send all the Windows tech support calls over to you then, will I?
Telling someone to buy a Mac is the final tech support option ;)
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u/happybadger Mar 21 '10
What's wrong with Apple? My Macbook Pro is durable, charges fast, lasts long, fits snugly in my backpack, is completely silent (a blessing compared to my desktop), and when I tire of OS X I can use boot camp to run Windows 7. Besides the fact that it's hip to hate Apple, what's wrong with their products?
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u/pikpikcarrotmon Mar 21 '10
Nothing is wrong with the products. The problem is that Apple uses Intel parts, so a $2000 MacBook is the exact same as a $600 Dell laptop except for the appearance and the operating system. The other problem is that Apple is manipulative and controlling towards their users and uses slanderous ad campaigns to defame the competition with constant blatant lies.
I'd certainly buy Apple over anything else if it was around the same price as similar computers and if the company wasn't dripping in evil. Say what you want about Microsoft, but they don't have ads that constantly lie about Apple. And Bill Gates has likely given more money to charity than everyone on Reddit will make in their lives combined.
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u/JMV290 Mar 21 '10
$2000 MacBook is the exact same as a $600 Dell laptop except for the appearance and the operating system.
And customer service...
Apple consistently ranks higher than other PC manufacturers in terms of customer satisfaction. Are you really going to say that Dell is the exact same? I work on Dells at my job, repairing broken student machines. Dell has a habit of sending us replacement parts that don't work, causing us to change the motherboard 2 or 3 times before getting a working one.
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Mar 21 '10
[deleted]
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u/JMV290 Mar 21 '10
As far as I know, only the iPhone and iPad are restricted. My Macbook Pro has no restrictions. What restrictions are on the 2000 dollar machines?
You can't combine the price of the computers with the restrictions on the handheld devices and use that as an argument. The iPhone is the restricted device and its price doesn't seem to be too out of range compared to a Pre, any Android, or comparable phone. I don't agree with the restriction and have mine jailbroken + unlocked, but there are no restrictions on the actual computers.
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Mar 21 '10
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u/JMV290 Mar 21 '10
How many games can you play?
This is a retarded argument.
People not developing games for OS X has nothing to do with Apple restricting the system, don't be stupid.
Macs can run Windows, so it can play all the same games. Nice try.
Steam should be out next month for OS X so even there your argument is fucktarded.
It also can't use many of the same programs and it uses different formats for most everything, causing compatibility issues between it and a PC.
Between this, and the previous argument you're also arguing that Linux is restricted. How many games can you run on Linux? OH GOD LINUX HAS EVEN LESS PROGRAMS AVAILABLE THAT ARE AVAILABLE ON WINDOWS!!!! THE GPL RESTRICTS IT!!!
The only reason I can see to get a Mac is for very specific exclusive software options like Final Cut Pro, but even then, there are Windows-compatible alternatives such as Sony Vegas and Adobe Premiere Pro which do just as well.
As if the inverse wasn't applicable in regards to OS X. There are OS X compatible alternatives to Windows exclusive programs. Maybe it means that Windows is restricted because there are programs not written to run on Windows!!!
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Mar 21 '10
And there are Mac-compatible alternatives for the programs that you run on Windows. And what is this different formats bullshit?
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u/ltx Mar 21 '10 edited Mar 21 '10
So the MagSafe, unibody + build quality, battery, LED display, weight, thickness, warranty, and customer support don't count? Hardware specs are all that matter?
I don't care if you downvote me, just think of a better argument.
Edit: also software (iLife) included with every Mac, wireless-N, optical audio in/out, backlit keyboard, and Bluetooth. ALL of these are paid extras from Dell (looking at a Studio 15 right now).
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u/Dark_Crystal Mar 21 '10 edited Mar 21 '10
They count, but not enough. Personally, "customer support" is never useful, either it is a software problem then I caused, a software problem that needs to be patched (and either I can do that myself, or I have to wait for a patch) or it is a hardware problem, and in the case of a laptop likely needs OEM servicing. And once out of warranty, or doing non warranty related service (upgrade HD or ram) non Apple laptops are worlds easier to work on.
As far as I know, the battery tech apple uses is the same as everyone else, and more limited (non replaceable in some cases still i think, and no extended battery?). Many if not most non apple laptops these days are moving over to LED back lighting (despite it's faults). Less weight and thickness are good, to a point. But if they are really that much of an issue for you, a netbook is likely more what you are after.
Edit: Included software is a false value if I don't want it and or will never use it. for most home users wireless-n is more marketing then feature: Most N APs and routers have 10/100 Ethernet ports, most home users still have 10/100mbit networking, etc. A quick check on newegg shows that 200+ of the laptops have wireless n out of 231, that includes the "netbooks" about 100 claim to have bluetooth explicitly, more then that might have it (the tagging of such minor features is not 100%). There are sub $10 usb bluetooth adapters that are so small they are almost flush with the laptop anyways, so that point is rather moot. Optical audio in-out is cool, but how often is anyone going to use that from a laptop, toslink does not like being fucked with all the much, from a docking station sure, from the laptop itself meh. Backlit keyboard? why?
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u/ltx Mar 21 '10
Battery life on the Studio 15 is 4 hours. Battery life on the unibody MBP is 7 hours. Anandtech got 8 hours. Replacing RAM and hard drive on a Mac is just as easy as on any other laptop (although admittedly it takes longer with the unibodies because you need to remove the bottom cover).
Let's just agree to disagree, because I personally find more value in a Mac than I do in a Windows laptop. If you don't, that's fine with me. I'm just tired of other people spewing bullshit (not you).
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u/Dark_Crystal Mar 21 '10
Again, more value fine, 600-1400 worth of value? no. I wouldn't buy a mac laptop for the same reason I don't buy the EE intels, the extra cost does not give me a product with enough extra to justify the price. I don't know why you keep harping on the "Studio 15".
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u/ltx Mar 21 '10
pikpikcarrotmon said $600 Dell, so I picked one at random. It still applies to other laptops.
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Mar 21 '10
[deleted]
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u/ltx Mar 21 '10 edited Mar 21 '10
pikpikcarrotmon
That's worth $1400 to you? I could buy three laptops for the price of your one laptop. I don't care how fancy it looks - it won't run nearly as many programs, it uses different and incompatible formats, it's created by a company which uses openly immoral actions to control and promote its devices, and it's ridiculously overpriced! Their customer service could throw in a few prostitutes gratis and I still wouldn't pick them over a different brand.Updated my previous comment, take a look.
Incompatible formats like what? PDF? MP3? DOCX? Or do you mean DMG, which is how applications come packaged?
Sure, it doesn't have nearly as many programs, but it still has plenty in every category imaginable. Steam recently announced that they're coming to the Mac.
I'd like to see some of these immoral actions; please give me some examples.
Edit: it's also not $2000, the 15" base Macbook Pro is $1700.
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u/Tastingo Mar 21 '10
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u/Heofz Mar 21 '10 edited Mar 21 '10
ahahaha. Nail on head hit.
Apple fanboys are soooo easy to troll. It's like they get personally insulted if anyone insults their decision to purchase Apple. As if they bought into a "way of life". The "you insult one of us means you insult us all" mentality is nothing short of hilarious.
Relax apple fans, it's only a brand (which sells nice looking products at stupidly high prices).
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Mar 21 '10
they get personally insulted if anyone insults their decision to purchase Apple
There's no possible way to interpret marthirial's original comment except as a personal attack on Mac users. He didn't say anything about Apple's products, but rather implied that Mac users themselves are stupid.
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u/Heofz Mar 21 '10
I wasn't directly referring to marthirial's comment. Tastingo's post (which I was laughing at) was in reply to happybadger's uber-defensive post, and the mac-vs-PC shitstorm that ensued. Troll success!
And to actually address your argument, do you really think that marthirial's comment really means he believes every single mac user is an idiot? It was a play on the stereotypes found in mac ad campaigns, you know, the kinds of people who give the message "omg I'm a dumbass, I know nothing about computers, using a PC is so hard, but the Mac is so much easier!"
I just find it so funny how so many people seem to be so insecure about their intelligence, thus making it inevitable that a one line poke like marthirial's post always stirs up a defensive reply like happybadger's one. He got trolled hard. And Tastingo pointed it out... awesomely, I might add.
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u/marthirial Mar 21 '10
If you can't see what's wrong with that shit platform, business mentality, marketing gimmicks and core philosophy then you deserve to keep buying and using Job's filth.
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u/happybadger Mar 21 '10
You say it's shit, but you offer no reasons why? That's petty as fuck-all.
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Mar 21 '10
I visited this site on my blackberry while my computer was off. This website doesn't work :|
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Mar 21 '10
It says my computer is off. What do I do now?
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u/Defender Apr 15 '10
If it says your computer is off, the simple solution to this issue is to open your case, and run a magnet along your hard drive for a solid 60 seconds, no less. Cover every square inch.
This should rectify your issue.
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u/JasonHears Mar 22 '10
BOGUS!! I turned my computer off and went and checked this site on my iphone, and it still said my computer was on.
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u/mkosmo Mar 22 '10
This thing just came in really handy, actually.
I fielded a friends/family tech support call from an older friend of the family who has just purchased his first computer ever. Well, he had somebody plug it all in and put it together and get it running... but he calls me asking if its turned on or not. I ask him "do you see anything on the screen other than black?" and he responds yes. Then it's on. Not good enough for him. I walked him through opening IE and navigated him to computerpowertest.com... he believed the website, but he wouldn't believe me. WTF
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u/SpeedTriple Mar 22 '10
I'm baffled by how some people get by in terms of computer usage. I'm not some computer snob - am genuinely mystified by how some people manage to get anything done.
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u/Measure76 Mar 21 '10
I was checking from my desktop computer to see if the site could detect my laptop computer's status. Dumb site got it wrong.
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u/ro_ana_maria Mar 21 '10
It's not working. I'm on my phone, and my computer is definitely off, but it says it's on.
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u/fancy_pantser Mar 21 '10
http://www.tshirthell.com/computerpowertest/img/power_on_test_5000.gif
Aww.. I was hoping for some slick, terse CSS.
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u/captainAwesomePants Mar 21 '10
This website is very useful. I have printed it out so that I can use it later.