Technical Template from a PC Helpline

Computer Problem Report Form

1. Describe your problem:
   ________________________________________________________________
   ________________________________________________________________
   
2. Now, describe the problem accurately:
   ________________________________________________________________
   ________________________________________________________________
   
3. Speculate wildly about the cause of the problem:
   ________________________________________________________________
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4. Problem Severity:
   
   1. Minor__
   2. Minor__
   3. Minor__
   4. Trivial__
5. Nature of the problem:
   
   1. Locked Up__
   2. Frozen__
   3. Hung__
   4. Strange Smell__
6. Is your computer plugged in? Yes__ No__
   
7. Is it turned on? Yes__ No__
   
8. Have you tried to fix it yourself? Yes__ No__
   
9. Have you made it worse? Yes__
   
10. Have you had "a friend" who "Knows all about computers" try to fix it for you? Yes__ No__
    
11. Did they make it even worse? Yes__
    
12. Have you read the manual? Yes__ No__
    
13. Are you sure you've read the manual? Maybe__ No__
    
14. Are you absolutely certain you've read the manual? No__
    
15. If you read the manual, do you think you understood it? Yes__ No__
    
16. If 'Yes' then explain why you can't fix the problem yourself.
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17. What were you doing with your computer at the time the problem occurred?
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    __________________________________________________________
    
18. If you answered 'nothing' then explain why you were logged in?
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19. Are you sure you aren't imagining the problem? Yes__ No__
    
20. Does the clock on your home VCR blink 12:00? Yes__ What's a VCR?__
    
21. Do you have a copy of 'PCs for Dummies'? Yes__ No__
    
22. Do you have any independent witnesses to the problem? Yes__ No__
    
23. Do you have any electronics products that DO work? Yes__ No__
    
24. Is there anyone else you could blame this problem on? Yes__ No__
    
25. Have you given the machine a good whack on the top? Yes__ No__
    
26. Is the machine on fire? Yes__ Not Yet__
    
27. Can you do something else instead of bothering me? Yes__