<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I remove my new laptop from the cardboard box and tight styrofoam packing, and carefully unwrap the sealed plastic wrap encasing it. I admire the sleek, brushed metal case that feels so solid and light in my hands. I got a really good deal on this certified refurbished model online, guaranteed to work right out of the box or my money back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It looks so pristine and new. Was it ever even used? Maybe someone bought it, changed their mind before opening it, and returned it to the store brand new. If so, then I got myself a brand-new computer for a steal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I set the laptop on the table, remove the cord from the plastic bag, and plug the power end into the wall socket and the connector end into the right-side input of the laptop. I press the \u201con\u201d button. Nothing happens. No indicator lights, no beeps, no boot-up screen. I push the connector firmly into the input port to be sure it\u2019s seated all the way and do the same for the plug in the wall outlet. I press the button again. Still nothing, no sign of life at all. I hope it\u2019s not DOA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I remove the connector end from the laptop and inspect it closely. It looks fine, there\u2019s nothing broken, although there could be something amiss internally that I can\u2019t see. I do the same for the plug end and see nothing wrong. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I try again, pushing the connector in tightly until there\u2019s resistance and I can push no more. I press the button and\u2026nothing. I release the pent-up breath I was holding. Oh boy. Time to troubleshoot. I remove the wall socket plug and plug in my living room table lamp to test the outlet. The light comes on bright and strong, so I know the outlet is live. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have no way of testing the power cord, and I\u2019m not sure that\u2019s the problem, anyway. What if it\u2019s the laptop? Maybe a hardware problem? A software problem? It\u2019s a conundrum I can\u2019t fix, and I can\u2019t know for sure without any diagnostic equipment to test it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m allowed a 30-day return window if it\u2019s defective, but I really don\u2019t want to send it back. I\u2019ll have to package it up again, drop it off at the UPS store, reorder another one to replace it, and wait another week for it to arrive. And if I do, how do I know the next one won\u2019t be defective too?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I rack my brain for a solution, and I find one. I\u2019ll take it to the Nerd Crew down at the Electric Emporium. I hear their technicians are top-notch. They have the tools and expertise to troubleshoot it, and they can find out if it\u2019s a bad cable or the laptop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I call the store to make an appointment, and they tell me there\u2019s an opening in fifteen minutes. Perfect. I grab the laptop and cord and drive to the store. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I arrive a the Electric Emporium super-store and follow the arrows to the Nerd Crew kiosk, where I find two young, nerdy-looking guys talking behind the counter. Just who I want to see. I set down the laptop and cord in front of them and announce my name: \u201cHi, I\u2019m Jason Blackstone, and I have an appointment for 3:00 p.m. I think I may have a dead laptop, or cord, not sure which. Can you help me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m Todd,\u201d says the lanky, blond-haired kid, I would guess is in his early 20s. \u201cAnd I\u2019m Malik,\u201d pipes in the not-so-tall, curly-headed guy standing next to him. \u201cLet\u2019s look.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He opens the laptop lid, plugs the cord into a socket and the connector plug into the input port on the left side. Wait, what? Left side? That\u2019s not right. The input is on the right side. He\u2019s got it wrong. I\u2019m sure it won\u2019t come on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Malik presses the \u201cOn\u201d button, and a couple of tiny blue indicator lights on the keyboard light up, and the screen comes to life with a boot-up message that says \u201cWelcome. Start Here.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeems to be working now,\u201d says Todd. Are you sure you had the cord plugged in all the way? Or maybe the outlet you used wasn\u2019t working?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My face flushes warm as realization settles over me. \u201cUh, yeah, it had power,\u201d I reply, which is the truth. \u201cNot sure why it didn\u2019t work,\u201d which is a lie, because now I know exactly why it didn\u2019t work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I plugged the cord into the headphone jack on the right side, not the power input on the left side. Why did I assume it was the right one without actually looking? Oh my god, I\u2019m such a dummy! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But they don\u2019t know what I did, and there\u2019s no way I\u2019m going to admit my error to these kids. I\u2019m sure they already think Boomers like me are clueless dolts when it comes to technology. I\u2019m not, but after this, I fear maybe I am. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou know, maybe the power outlet wasn\u2019t working after all,\u201d I say. I guess I should have checked it.\u201d Malik smiles \u2014 maybe it\u2019s a smirk \u2014 and says \u201chey, yeah, man, no worries. You would be surprised how often that happens.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt does?\u201d I say. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll the time,\u201d says Todd. We\u2019ve even had people plug cords into the wrong inputs and think their devices are dead. Easiest fix in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yeah, they know what I did, but they\u2019re too nice to say it and embarrass me any further. I smile and say, \u201cThanks, I really appreciate your help. You guys have the magic touch.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHa! We\u2019re just a couple of nerds who like fixing things,\u201d says Todd. That\u2019s why we\u2019re part of the Nerd Crew. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, I\u2019m not really a customer. I didn\u2019t buy this computer here,\u201d I confess. I bought it online, so I must owe you something. What\u2019s the charge?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nothing\u201d answered Malik, \u201cwe didn\u2019t really do anything. We’re glad to help. Is there anything else we can help you with today?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo thanks, I\u2019m good, this is all I need. You guys\u2026you nerds are the best.\u201d They beam at the compliment, and Todd hands me the laptop, cord, and a business card with his name on it. Malik hands me his too. \u201cCome in anytime you have a problem. Here\u2019s our numbers for next time.\u201d He winks. \u201cEnjoy your new computer.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I turn to go, but I don\u2019t want to leave the store without buying something, it just doesn\u2019t seem right. I turn back to face Todd and Malik. \u201cYou know, I could use a new mouse. A good Logitech would be fine. My old one\u2019s on the fritz.\u201d Another lie, but I feel better about buying something to pay for the free service I just got. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fifteen minutes later I arrive home, plug the cord into the right input, which is on the left side, and press \u201cOn.\u201d The little blue indicator lights come on, and the screen whirls up the \u201cWelcome. Start Here\u201d greeting. My shoulders loosen as the stress melts. I won\u2019t have to send back my laptop after all.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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