Lists of Requests to the Help Desk

 

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List of Help Desk Requests via Telephone

This list is taken verbatim from logs recorded by help desk personnel 1995-1997. All callers had been given a Macintosh computer and software (see article describing hardware, software, and connections). Not all help desk calls were logged, as some callers required a home visit to describe their problem. Descriptions in the log book (e.g., could not connect) do not necessarily reflect the primary technical difficulty. For instance, "could not connect" might reflect a user's not connecting the external modem to the computer. Please see the Help at Home article for more detail.

 

Problem Description

Duration of Call (in Minutes)

modem won't connect; dials then hangs up

67

no answer at annex server

4

modem not working

10

fax program screwed up modem and ability to print

45

can't connect to MacMail

5

mac starts up and just give a flashing question mark

5

launcher type -39 error

5

wants know how to connect to caroline

6

type -39 launcher error

5

couldn't log on using interslip

5

couldn't log on using interslip

5

unable to log on using interslip

phone line not set up yet; launcher error type 39

16

couldn't log on using interslip

10

still not sure how to use address book

4

couldn't log on with interslip

4

wanted to know how to use talk

10

Apple tutorial Part 2 shows up in help menu, but not part 1

6

Simpletext launcher alias won't open - shows file not found error

2

Mac mail frozen on launch

36

Interslip setup shows no people - cannot add people

46

Launcher error type -39

4

same problem with launcher not opening

13

wants to know how to de-binhex .hqx files

12

Modem dialing Giant Eagle supermarket (Edgewood)

19

Mac mail freezing-Inter SLIP cxn not being made

19

unable to log on using interslip

8

Modem "buzzes" on open line. No cxns made

24

IS hangs up after showing "connect at 19200" message

4

macmail frozen, cpu frozen

11

No cxn made by IS for her name-other names ok

15

wanted explanation of how email works

5

Wanted help deleting Macmail messages

4

unable to log on using interslip

5

downloading files from various internet sources and they would not decompress

5

launcher aliases would not launch the applications

9

Macmail frozen on launch only for his mother and sister

13

Launcher error type -39

5

modem problems that she had previously told jane

2

couldn't connect to netscape

25

Purchased Norton Utilities and it told her, after diagnosing hard drive: Volume "hard drive" needs to be repaired

6

some items in launcher don't work

7

question-could they connect to Stanford on a friend's account

3

Launcher items did not work

30

problem with connecting to interslip

20

Problem with launcher

11

Launcher problems with aliases not finding original items

45

unable to use interslip to dial CMU

10

could not read email because quota was full, could not erase messages

4

launcher error type -39

13

can't hook up using interslip

3

unable to hook up onto interslip, see 2/26 log, same problem

9

problems using applications, launcher, hard drive

18

launcher error type -39

4

unable to download songs from certain site on Netscape

5

unable to connect to internet using interslip

28

home visit-launcher problem

20

computer won't boot up

2

printer won't print, mail program froze computer, password not working for interslip and mail

23

disk stuck in drive

3

problem with hard disk, mario teaches typing wouldn't work

60

couldn't connect-line was busy

2

modem wouldn't connect-line was busy

2

home visit-unable to use macmail

macmail freezes when she gets to typing her password

5

macmail still won't work

8

Launcher error type -39

23

Launcher problem

17

launcher error type -39

30

Modem no longer works

2

Launcher wouldn't work

Launcher problem

9

somebody placed items in the launcher which don't belong

5

Busy signal when she dialed

1

Connect to Internet aliases did not work

4

question-how do you get the chat line

3

How do we send and receive email

3

Needs Launcher Timbuktu-ed to her

1

unable to log onto interslip

5

was at a friends and wanted to know if he could hook up onto interslip using his account

5

Brother's mailbox was suddenly empty

5

she would get access through the annex server

10

Launcher error type -39

Launcher error type -39

5

phone line is dead-because of non payment

2

access denied to interslip

5

problem installing style writer

32

questions-how do you type in your userid in interslip

10

Confusion about which phone line was activated and which was being paid for by HomeNet

Launcher error type -39

10

user tried to attach a SCSI device unsuccessfully

Tried to use Netscape rather than MacMail for newsgroups

5

using interslip, hasn't been able to get a slip connection

using interslip, hasn't been able to get a slip connection

2

using interslip, hasn't been able to get a slip connection

6

using interslip, hasn't been able to get a slip connection

6

called to say couldn't log in a 3:00 but could log in at 6:30

wasn't able to append one file into another with Claris works

6

Launcher -39 error

4

Launcher failer. No TCP/IP in MacTCP panel

30

Launcher broken

wondering how to get to eWorld

2

waiting for prompt connection problem

4

how to configure InterSlip on the Allderdice machine now that the phone line was installed

24

control panels had been moved elsewhere in the file system by a user

14

wiring needed to be done on second phone line

house call-Launcher, MacTCP and other problems

60

"waiting for prompt" message, unable to log on

Log in to internet intermittent. Modem dial sometimes but not others

104

house call - systems software out of configuration due to mishap a scsi device they tried and subsequent repair attempt installing system 7.1

105

Mother and sister unable to log into MacMail-get a hung machine at the "Opening connection to the server" prompt

Problems connecting

4

tried again and was able to connect

3

Problem connecting. "access denied"

5

problem connecting, "waiting for prompt" message, beeps, then hangs up

7

problem connecting, "waiting for prompt" message, beeps, then hangs up

Interslip hung at "waiting for prompt" message

11

problem connecting, "waiting for prompt" message, beeps, then hangs up

10

problem logging on, hadn't turned in the pre-test questionnaires

30

after connecting through intersip the modem/connection seems to kick her off

15

printer is printing out only blank pages when printing from Mail

14

unable to log in-problem with phone line

20

printer cartridge is out of ink

5

unable to connect to internet, gets strange message about "serial port" in interslip

42

does not understand the difference between "matching folders" and "subscribed folders"

28

printer won't print

15

PrintMonitor won't let her shut the computer down

4

mother and sister unable to use mail accounts when they connect to interslip using their own interslip connections

12

error message "Disk is Full" at start up

7

phone line was dead

10

some things quit because of error of type -1

Don't have a phone line installed for the computer

3

problem with interslip-upon hitting "connect" the program freezes the computer

17

trying to get a particular page and kept getting "access denied"

10

unable to connect with Interslip, "Connection Denied"

6

Launcher -39 error

7

problems getting to sites with Netscape

25

"Unable to Locate host" with Netscape

9

wife is [name deleted] who is newspaper sponsor at Schenley HS. They don't have a CMU provided machine but an LCII. Bought a modem and want to be connected.

7

Launcher's not opening upon startup and interslip only has "test" user on it

20

downloaded something from Netscape and used it. Didn't like it, and tried to trash it. In the process, the computer gave her a bomb. And now it seems that interslip is not working

6

can't connect to any sites outside of cmu

9

can't connect to any sites outside of cmu

35

modem won't dial

10

accidentally erased all of her preference files for all the application configurations

5

Launcher error type -39

38

mother and sister unable to use mail accounts when they connect to interslip using their own interslip connections

42

trying to use LIS and was not getting access to it

5

CMU Gateway script is missing and they can't connect to the Internet

3

Printer won't print. Already bought new cartridge and installed it. Still nothing

18

Can't connect to both Macmail and Netscape (unable to locate host)

30

Changing the password only affects MacMail?

20

was given a program which conflicts with MacMail. running the program while running MacMail causes the computer to hang

9

can log onto the Annex server, but can't get MacMail

5

trying to send an email message and the window did not have a send button

3

mother and sister still have problems getting into MacMail

noticed a manual for "FAX STF" and wants to know how to fax things

20

Netscape would not load their homepage

9

mother and sister still have problems getting into MacMail

10

wished to delete login names from interslip menu

2

mother and sister have problems getting into MacMail

15

Interslip was not making connection

2

Can't connect. He's one of the teachers who didn't get a computer/modem from us (actually)

30

couldn't connect to HomeNet

8

couldn't connect to HomeNet

2

unable to access the net...annex problem

3

wanted to make sure the phone number for the HomeNet annex wasn't changing as she was concerned about the NOTD on the regular annex that she had gotten

3

connection problem

2

had lost his interslip stuff but had a copy of the gateway script, and had downloaded a new copy of interslip, and wanted to know where to put the gateway script

unable to connect-phone just rings

1

connection problem

4

unable to connect-phone just rings

8

unable to connect

4

needed a copy of Claris Works

2

wanted to know how to change highlight color

2

had a problem with NCSA telnet opening new sessions lower on the screen and eventually the new windows that opened below the level of the screen and were unusable

9

didn't know how to get talk to work

6

could not get NetScape to connect to out of campus pages

5

wanted to know what LIS II was

7

downloaded file from netscape. Wasn't sure if it worked or where it was.

1

couldn't open Mario type... Error read "color files could not be read. Make sure that all necessary files have been copied into their correct places."

5

system would crash upon playing start up sound

13

wanted to know if it was feasible to print envelopes for wedding invitations and to get a nice fancy calligraphy font for it

17

printer problem-sends "out of paper" message when there is paper in it

5

computer won't start up. Disk icon appears with question mark. (unable to find startup disk)

House call: computer won't start up. Disk icon appears with question mark. (unable to find startup disk)

2

Mario type won't open. Missing color files

MacMail 'freezing'

12

printer will not print. re-installing produces error

9

could not log on

5

house call-printer problems. Inability to read correct paper size and properly loaded paper

120

continued printer problems. Install disk froze up on her.

5

receiving Netscape message "connection refused by server"

10

MacMail will not open. Internet connection is alright. She opens the application and nothing happens

18

Unable to startup. Received mac error chime (8 bells). Doesn't even reach startup window

4

Extensions folder was dragged into some random directory

7

Deleted items from Apple Menu in system folder

error on launcher -39

15

corrupt launcher file

52

Believes modem was fried by lightning

5

Netscape did not work

5

modem is dead-suspects it was fried by lightning

2

home visit- more on interslip. It connects, but then times out

45

interslip wasn't working

21

Interslip wouldn't connect

5

Wanted to know how to download files via either fetch or netscape

13

couldn't connect

19

Couldn't connect with Interslip. Would say 'waiting for prompt' and then go idle.

11

Couldn't connect with Interslip. Would say 'waiting for prompt' and then go idle.

28

TCP Problem

19

home visit: TCP driver was messed up

20

needed a new modem

entering password as userid and userid as password

4

launcher seemed to be hosed

13

modem port was hosed

10

Launcher aliases are messed up

66

"waiting for prompt" error

Mac Mail will lockup as soon as he enters his userid

MacMail locks up sometimes

unhappy apple icon at boot up

couldn't connect with MacMail or Netscape. Gave TCP not properly installed error

31

home visit. Problem was corrupted system file

needed Mario Teaches Typing

hard drive wouldn't boot

10

needs to have Mario's typing tutor sent to her

6

launcher -39 error

needed to know how to make a new alias for Launcher on the desktop

access denied on several login attempts

monitor doesn't work

loaded a new ink cartridge into the printer, and now it won't print

intermittent problems logging on (waiting for prompt)

waiting for prompt error

can't connect to the net. Dials, connects, waits, dies.

kept getting access denied

netscape won't work on alderdice computer

can't connect

can't dial in, modem just rings

can't connect

can't make a connection

waiting for prompt error

minor MacMail configuring stuff

monitor is having contrast and brightness problems

problems with the launcher connecting to MacMail II

wanted to know his email address

waiting for prompt error

trouble using macmail

"your account is disabled on this machine"

modem ports problems

modem ports problems

modem ports problems

could not get his modem to dial

standard inability to connect

needed purchase information for repairs and warranty

access denied'

MacMail II will not open

standard network probs

access denied'

standard net stuff

need directions to computer repair

Launcher -39 error

couldn't connect to internet, because FaxModem window was open

can't connect to Interslip

had trouble connecting to internet

modem was not correctly set up, could not dial

launcher alias was set up wrong and modem may be dead

computer seems to be broken

couldn't read mail

claimed MacMail was occasionally freezing on her

accidentally deleted her interslip config preferences

launcher is hosed

couldn't connect to the internet

said he sent out his hard drive to be repaired. Wanted to know status

couldn't connect to the internet

modem problem from before

wanted to know why Netscape takes forever to load graphics

a friend at AOL wants to mail him a DOS document, but he's not sure if it will work

unable to print mail messages

having trouble connecting to the internet

printer problem

modem is dead

no answer at the annex server

couldn't figure out the Tutorial

unable to print

needed a copy of netscape

Launcher no longer contained the CMU subfolder

can't connect to the internet

macmail "your account is disabled on this machine"

wanted help finding specific information on the web

couldn't connect to the internet

when she starts the computer up, it hangs when starting one of the extensions

computer crashes when loading Timbuktu Extension

can't install Laserwriter driver

can't get modem working

can't connect to Internet

Launcher type -39

MacMail alias wrong

couldn't print

5

Launcher type -39

MacMail alias installed incorrectly

printer problem, Appletalk enabled so printer did not print

modem problems and system crashes

30

problems with modem and communication software

kept on getting guardian: your account is disabled on this server from macmail

wanted to know how to find someone's email address

5

when trying to set the printer configuration, got the warning about appletalk. Wanted to make sure it was ok before doing the change

authentication failed in macmail, account disabled

MacMail alias on Hard Disk could not be found

would dial in, and get no response

somehow they had the wrong number in interslip

wanted to send mail to an offsite user

5

computer is frozen.

10

Launcher -39 error

18

Launcher -39 error

10

Launcher items aren't working

didn't understand that connecting to internet was a "session-wide activity and he didn't need to do so before running every internet application he has

10

Launcher alias for disconnect to Internet doesn't work and computer crashes

macmail alias set to wrong HD name

20

Launcher -39 error

5

launcher -39 error

20

Missing LW 30 chooser extension

25

netscape launch shows "server down" message

5

macMail login shows "guardian" unauthorized message when authenticating

5

unable to use Macmail cursor froze at psswd screen

25

help w/filing messages; new disonnect alias; printer not working

112

random mouse freeze how to change mail password

5

macmail freezing when she was trying to log in

45

mac dead no power on startup

30

unable to log in to internet

2

couldn't not get modem to connect via SLIP

90

general questions on TCP apps, fetch, telnet, etc.

25

restoring saved macmail draft; how to find chatrooms

15

launcher -39 error

20

computer not shutting down she called Apple told her to delete cmu/internet stuff

20

modem not working

10

couldn't get mail to work launcher alias dead

40

computer freezes in macmail

20

couldn't connect interslip hanging

20

question about shutdown how to set up home document

5

request account for daughter; microphone not with computer

15

name mispelled in userID

2

waiting to hear from someone about restoring hard drive

2

computer freezes

15

error message modem not responding after connection

10

how to reboot w/o turning off power

15

modem not responding

5

extra files in launcher folder

10

can't connect to macmail

5

Macmail alias isn't launched

15

can't get macmail to work; computer missing software

11

not enough memory to run MacMail

13

launcher type -39 error

15

how to put up homepage

10

launcher type -39 error

5

can't get telnet to work from Netscape

15

launcher type -39 error

30

can't use netscape

10

computer won't shut down

15

launcher error type -39

5

wants to connect to Caroline

6

type -39 launcher error

5

none of her internet stuff works

15

can't get to netscape

7

could not log on phone just ringing

2

could not log on phone just ringing

2

how to configure interslip to access Pitt

10

could not log on phone just ringing

2

could not log on phone just ringing

2

could not log on phone just ringing

2

could not log on phone just ringing

2

all homenet stuff deleted off hard drive

120

interslip give invalid port error

10

printer won't print

8

printer won't print

10

invalid port error with modem

20

printer won't print

10

bad modem

6

how to receive fax

12

modem port problems

25

problem opening claris works

10

macmail locked up his machine

8

printer not printing

40

netscape not working

10

password not working what is email address

5

sent modem for repairs not back yet

5

phone line disconnected

10

phone disconnected

5

modem problems (home visit)

75

macmail froze on him

15

phone line disconnected

6

phone line disconnected

2

passwords won't work at annex

10

what is status of cpu taken to be fixed

3

broken launcher; inability to connect

30

printer put in new cartridge but is grainy

8

phone disconnected

5

trouble loading claris works

8

modem picked up for repair not back

doesn't understand how to delete files

30

slip mode problem

2

could not log on; slip problem

2

email not working

large ftp transfer aborted with out of memory

10

no dialtone error; modem not working

20

can't get to netsearch from netscape

6

printer's been in for service how long

5

line has been disconnected

5

can she plug computer into main line since hn line disconnected

2

printer not working

15

printer not working

20

accidentally deleted Claris Works

25

phone line disconnected

5

line is down

7

deleted her Claris Works

10

MacMail set to macmail.andrew.cmu.edu

7

still doesn't have copy of Claris Works

10

can't seem to login

10

no carrier

10

a type 25 error when trying to connect

15

still doesn't have Claris Works

10

dial in script not working

60

monitor starts up black sometimes

15

couldn't not get modem to work

10

chooser setting don't stay selected

15

homenet line disconnected

2

MacTCP is misconfigured

10

could not connect to andrew

5

phone line disconnected

1

phone line not hooked up

2

problems downloading Claris

5

printer problems

120

phone line still out

5

monitor is still dead

2

nothing comes up on monitor it is turned on

15

phone line still out

2

problems emptying trash and with netscape

10

phone line still dead

5

disconnected looking up domain name

15

having problem downloading Claris Works

20

checking status of his machine taken for repair

3

could not download Netscape of Homenet website

10

her printer would not print

25

connection dropped when using MacMail

10

start up she gets missing disk icon

5

computer unable to locate bootable drive on startup

3

interslip will not load port drive not found

10

not connecting to internet

20

launcher type -39 error

60

printer never worked

he deleted Netscape

40

trouble with at-ease modem not found

computer crashed now internet doesn't work

45

macmail doesn't work guardian error account disable on this machine

45

phone has no dial tone

mac mail guardian error account disabled

10

interslip configured wrong

25

server is down

20

problem w/macmail server

internet not connecting

1

netscape cache files inside launcher items

30

launcher error -39

60

modem would not connect

45

subject threw away netscape

20

cannot connect to macmail or use netscape

15

Launcher error -39

10

home visit: could not connect, interslip not working

20

home visit: system crashed.

20

cannot connect, interslip not connecting

15

Mail will not connect

Launcher 39 error

50

can not connect, interslip get error message can not find serial port

15

Network problems

10

cannot connect to internet

15

Interslip will not work

20

follow up on interslip problem

1

can not connect, modem dials but does not connect

15

Could not connect to macmail, guardulog error

10

said "no response from modem" upon connection. problem in interslip

25

computer will not boot, get disk with question mark on screen

5

Downloaded Mario TT, ClarisWorks. got error -199, error -50 when she tried to launch them

15

macmail mailserver set incorrectly/RAM disk was on

40

type -199 error when running Mario TT

60

computer won't read any disks

15

frequent crashes ie 2 every half hour at times

8

can not connect, system freezing up

5

couldn't log in, netscape problems

40

"MacTCP Not Installed" errors in MacMail and Netscape

30

couldn't connect to modems

13

can't connect at all, system problems as well

45

Dis-enrolled from the project, and got a sponsored account with CMU. Some people, however, have sent her messages that she has not gotten.

10

Type 1 error upon trying to connect with interslip

28

new Claris Works 3.0 that she have does not work

15

Cannot open Clip Arts with Claris Works

60

Broken Monitor. Needs a replacement

10

Broken Disk drive

10

home visit: Interslip not working at all

120

having trouble getting printer to work

45

MacMail again, didn't know it was a problem everyone was having yet

10

MacMail Problems, worked for a while (turns out it was the macmail server

20

could not connect, MacTCP error

10

can not connect, phone dials and handshaking starts but do not get slip connection when using netscape navigator 3.0 gold get items left on desktop at end of session

10

couldn't print with her personal laserwriter

60

Computer starts up with blank screen in grey only, cannot eject disk

10

Home visit: broken disk drive

30

system errors, and inability to connect to CMU

180

Printer jam

10

home visit: system crash

120

Macmail would crash upon trying to get his mail

10

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