#TechSupport #PCRepair #PowerSupplyFailure #StrangeServiceCalls
I was New York City born-and-bred, but over twenty years ago, I was a mobile computer technician in the mountains of British Columbia. In my career I had seen some weird stuff. Fried motherboards, cat hair-clogged fans, coffee-drowned keyboards—you name it.
But when Richard called and said, “Hey, my computer won’t start,” I wasn’t expecting to have to become a crime scene investigator!
The Evidence
I arrived at Richard’s place and immediately noticed something off about his PC. It had:
✔ A bullet hole in the lower back corner.
✔ A shredded power supply that looked like it had lost a fight with a hand grenade.
✔ An exit wound clean through the back of the case.
I turned to Richard, raising an eyebrow. “Richard… what happened?”
The Story Unfolds
Richard sighed. “Well… the first shot hit the computer.”
That’s right—first shot.
The night before, Richard had been dealing with an unwelcome guest. Things escalated, and out came his Ruger 10/22.
- Shot #1: Missed the intruder and drilled his PC instead.
- Shot #2: Did not miss the intruder in the vicinity of his left leg.
- Police involvement: Immediate.
- Richard’s fate: Jail time.
But Richard’s top priority? His PC wasn’t turning on.
The Fix
After a closer look, I realized something amazing:
The bullet had gone in at an angle, clipped the power supply, and exited out the back—but miraculously, the rest of the system was unharmed.
So, I swapped in a new power supply, hit the power button, and…
It booted.
Richard’s PC had literally taken a bullet and survived.
Takeaways from Richard’s “Troubleshooting” Method:
✔ Computers can take a hit—power supplies can’t.
✔ Always check for external damage. If your PC won’t start, ask yourself: Has it been shot recently?
✔ Firearm safety is critical. If shot #1 hits a PC, make sure shot #2 doesn’t require a paramedic.
✔ Back up your data. If your computer ends up in a crime scene report, you’ll be glad you did.
✔ Tech support can fix a lot, but let’s keep bullets out of the equation.
Richard learned a few lessons that day. So did I. And while his legal troubles weren’t over, at least his PC was back up and running.
Tech support: When even a .22 can’t stop you from solving the problem.
📍 Need tech support?
If you live in Placida, Englewood, Port Charlotte, or North Port, email techknowguy@techknow.biz or text 941-500-4556 with:
✅ A brief description of the issue
✅ A time until which I can call (I generally don’t take unplanned phone calls)
Let’s keep your tech running—without bullet holes. 😆