# I am on the phone with HP tech support

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-on-the-phone-with-hp-tech-support/590414>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [July 26, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-on-the-phone-with-hp-tech-support/590414 "2011-07-26T18:41:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-on-the-phone-with-hp-tech-support/590414/1 "2011-07-26T18:41:36Z")

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The Indian dude is “troubleshooting” my issue by making me unplug various things and leaving them unplugged for various time periods. I suggested maybe resetting the firmware, and he didn’t know what firmware meant.

He is making shit up as he goes.

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**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-on-the-phone-with-hp-tech-support/590414/2 "2011-07-26T18:48:47Z")

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> [@MOIDALIZE](#):
>
> He is making shit up as he goes.

He’s not, he’s following a script. You’re screwing things up by refusing to follow the script.

Please note, I am not suggesting that your problem will be fixed if you stick to the script…

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**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-on-the-phone-with-hp-tech-support/590414/3 "2011-07-26T18:49:05Z")

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> [@MOIDALIZE](#):
>
> He is making shit up as he goes.

Keep in mind that two can play at that game.😛

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**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-on-the-phone-with-hp-tech-support/590414/4 "2011-07-26T18:55:33Z")

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I put HIM on hold for 3 minutes! Bwahahaha!

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**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-on-the-phone-with-hp-tech-support/590414/5 "2011-07-26T18:59:28Z")

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I figured out that I needed to set up the wireless connection on the printer (even though it’s directly connected to a PC, but whatever) to update the firmware. The tech asked me how to do that. Then he had the nerve to try and sell me ink cartridges because they were having a sale. Then he wanted me to stay on the line to let his supervisor bore me with some quality assurance crap. I assured him I would stay on the line and I hung up.

ZOMG, WE CAN’T COMPETE WITH ASIA!!!

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**Author:** ![Al\_Bundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-on-the-phone-with-hp-tech-support/590414/6 "2011-07-26T21:00:14Z")

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What he’s edging toward is one of two things. If under warranty, he might suggest losing everything and resetting everything to the “as built” condition using the hidden partition. If out of warranty, they want to sell you the service help package and fix your problem remotely. At that point they might even deploy someone who know something.