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Tricky tech problems chicks can fix

posted by ChickSpeak
Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 9:44pm CST

So I have a bit of a problem.

This past weekend, just three weeks after I excitedly bought the brand new 5th generation 16 gig iPod nano (see it here in all its stupendous, working glory), I found that not everything was perfect with my shiny new gadget - the Menu button stopped working.

For you chicks who have iPods (I’ll just go ahead and assume the vast majority), you know an iPod is nothing without a completely functional clicker wheel, and a Menu button that is suddenly unable to take you to your playlists or enable shuffle is just as inconvenient.

Though my specific dilemma requires sending my iPod to Apple for a replacement, not all tech snafus require similar measures. In fact, most don’t.

Here are a few examples and a few helpful tips:

iPod

While we’re on the topic of iPods, here’s one tip you chicks should keep in mind any time your seemingly invincible mp3 player runs into any problems. The 5 R’s. As described by Apple Support, the 5 R’s are Reset, Retry, Restart, Reinstall, and Restart.

To reset your iPod, simply toggle the hold button on and off and then press down the Menu and center button for six to ten seconds. Your iPod should shut off and reboot with the Apple logo. If this option doesn’t work, or does work, but you’re still experiencing trouble, you need to move on to retrying your iPod with a different USB port on your computer, not your laptop. After this, you should restart your computer to check to see if it is up to date with its version of iTunes. If not, you’re going to need to reinstall the latest version, before restarting once more.

Still having trouble? Now you may need to call in for support. To review the 5 R’s, click here.

Computers/Laptops

There’s a joke on the popular site ruminations.com where someone says if you’re able to turn your computer on and off, you’re almost fully qualified to be a customer service representative. Along with being funny, there’s some truth in the jibe as well.

Whenever you chicks run into any problems with your computers or laptops, as so many of us often do, without a doubt the first thing you should do is hold the power button down for at least ten seconds and restart your computer. Don’t worry about losing anything in open programs as you do it; the majority of PCs and Macs will restore it for you when your computer is up and running again.

If there still appears to be something wrong upon the rebooting of the computer, your safest bet (without giving in to calling customer service, of course) is to go through the steps provided on your laptop’s Help and Support, which is, helpfully, accessible without the necessity of an internet connection. In this situation, if all else fails, you can always take your damaged computer to be looked at, and hopefully fixed, by a professional.

Visit Dell or Apple for all your laptop woes.

And remember, chicks - always, always, always visit the company site of your product. Tech issues can be scary, and even a little stressful at times, but you can always count on the makers of your product to assist you in any and every way you may need possible - it is their job, after all.

Faithlynn Morris is a self-proclaimed tech-aholic, one who is still, sadly, susceptible to the same occasional tech blunders. In her spare time, she likes to figure out how to fix her devices on her own so as to avoid the imminent embarrassment of costumer service confusion. Thankfully, she keeps the above tips in mind at all times.