That's a picture of my old video card. Last week I took it out
and replaced it with an ATI Radeon 9800 pro. It's a high end, 256mb
card.
The sound card died the moment I fired Kosh up. So I call ATI. Technical support answers and I'm
told I need to register. That's fine by me. I give 'em my name, address
and all that happy horse shit. From there it goes like this:
Technical Support:
I need the serial number.
alChandler:
Where do I find that?
TS:
On the box.
I read him the number.
TS:
Ok, give me the part number.
al:
Where's that?
TS:
On the card.
al:
But I just put it in the machine. Are you sure that it's not
written down anywhere else?
TS:
No it's not. Just open up the case, take the card out and read me the
number. Then I can help you.
al:
You don't understand. If I have to open the case and take the card out, technical
support won't be an issue because I'll be shipping it back.
TS:
I'm sorry sir but...
al:
Transfer me to customer service.
I reach customer service. They start to explain the return procedure. As I'm
listening I look at the anti-static bag the card number came in. The part number
is on the bag. I take a deep breath and ask to be transfered back to technical
support.
al:
There's a part number on the bag.
TS:
That's not the board's part number.
al:
Then what number is it?
TS:
It's the bag's part number.
al:
Are you trying to tell me you give your bags their own part numbers?
TS:
Yes sir.
al:
Humor me and take down this number.
I read off the number on the bag
TS:
You know sir, you might be on to something. This number works. I
can help you with your problem now.
al:
Can you give me 45 seconds? I have to stick my hand down the kitchen sink
and turn on the garbage disposal.
TS:
Certainly sir.