Do experienced techs use manuals?

[gwaddle]

Re: Do experienced techs use manuals?

I remember so many guys complaining when we got laptops, I don't miss having to carry around a huge box of paper manuals. I wouldn't mind going back to having parts manuals on microfiche though, reader and microfiche stored nicely in the back of my toolcase

I didn't mind using microfiche when I was in a shop, but not on the road. Hated the portable readers. The tablet works great for me as long as I can search the documents.

[Debs1964]

Re: Do experienced techs use manuals?

The paper manuals were not so bad, but the microfiche gave me serious headaches. The little eyeball sized reader worked for about 10 minutes before my eye muscles just gave up and screamed "NO MORE!" I kept a few of the paper manuals, but the microfiche is just torture. =^..^=

Actually, you may have a point, back when I was using a portable microfiche reader my eyesight was perfect, I think my eyes, now they're nearly 50 years old, may struggle with it

[Lagonda]

Re: Do experienced techs use manuals?

Yes, I frequently consult a manual as I'm experienced enough to realise I don't know everything.

[Exok]

Re: Do experienced techs use manuals?

I always thought it was funny when a customer would say to me, "Oh we're in trouble now! He has to look in the manual".

I figured they were in bigger trouble when they had a tech that didn't have a manual and guessed at all the adjustments.

Back in the day when all the manuals were books I probably was less likely to bring it in with me from the car. Now I need my laptop for just about every call for one reason or another like testing the customer's print / scan / email and verifying that their problem is on their network because I can print to it form my laptop via crossover cable. I work on too many different machines to memorize every error code , part number or adjustment setting. Its a tool like any other in your tool bag. Use it when you need it.

[JustManuals]

Re: Do experienced techs use manuals?

Many years ago when I was still working in the field as a printer tech. I had gone to a call on a printer that HP sent me to school to learn about it. I hadn't seen this printer in the 6 months between the time I went to school and when I went on this call. I remember it was a large Dot Matrix printer. When I got to the call, I brought out the manual for it. This manual was as big as a NYC phone book and in a 3-ring binder.The woman there put her hands up to her face and said: 'Oh no, he has to use the manual'. I walked over to her and told her that even though I was trained on this printer I hadn't seen one in the field yet and her's was the first. I told her I could take a blind stab at the problem, OR I could look in the manual and get it right the first time and get her up and running again. She relented and apologized. Later she brought me over cookies. I looked in the manual, ordered the part and fixed it the next day. We were pals after that.

Paul

[slimslob]

Re: Do experienced techs use manuals?

The paper manuals were not so bad, but the microfiche gave me serious headaches. The little eyeball sized reader worked for about 10 minutes before my eye muscles just gave up and screamed "NO MORE!" I kept a few of the paper manuals, but the microfiche is just torture. =^..^=

The big problem I had with microfiche was trying to find what I wanted. Of course, I think they were better than some of Ricoh's current parts catalogs.

[Bantams]

Re: Do experienced techs use manuals?

I only use my manuals when im working on a Venus or looking for some unknown sc code :/

[Tonerbomb]

Re: Do experienced techs use manuals?

The most important tool I take in to a call is my laptop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HenryT2]

Re: Do experienced techs use manuals?

Yes, I frequently consult a manual as I'm experienced enough to realise I don't know everything.

This is a very TRUE statement !
If you think you are too smart for a manual; you're on the wrong side of this business...
you need to be in sales !

[faxgoddess]

Re: Do experienced techs use manuals?

In reference to Konica tech support...

My frustration with them started over the holidays. I do remember that as with any issue, I had gone to the machine, it was a bizhub 600, and was coded. I checked the code, checked all things related, changed the part related to the code and still had an issue. I left to make another stop, and think about this problem. I was back at the shop to get a part for another call, and decided to call tech support to get a second opinion, as at this point I am sure they may recommend changing something, and I am at the shop now, so I can take the part back. Seems efficient.

Keep in mind that in the past I have been at this exact location, called tech support, [that no phone rule applies here also, but I can get away with it at this location. Best Customer], thought of another part that may fix it, get in my truck and go to the shop, get the part, drive back and install the part, fixing the machine...and then tech support would pick up the phone.

On this occasion, the screening operator answers right away, takes my info and then ask if I am in front of the machine. I say no, and he says he can't patch me through. I explain my position and he puts me on hold so he can ask a supervisor if it is OK. This is after telling me that their que is empty. After being on hold for about 12 minutes, I hung up, went back and figured it out myself.

I have to assume that they get a lot of their time wasted by lazy techs asking stupid questions, and I have no solution for that, just wanted to rant a little.

No manuals were harmed in the writing of this thread

I've heard from my field techs that KM won't talk to you unless you've read the manual and that they will ask you that first...

[faxgoddess]

Re: Do experienced techs use manuals?

I have our service manuals available to me in electronic and paper format. I STILL have to look things up in the manuals when I'm asked questions. I'd rather not bs a field tech with "it's widget a behind thingamabob b". If you're calling for help, I'd better know what I'm talking about. If you're in an area where you don't have access to the internet, heck yes, I'll help you.

My pet peeve is a person who doesn't TRY to find the answer before passing the buck. If you're looking at the manual I'm looking at and we neither one can resolve the issue, then it's a brand new problem and we'll need to call in the higher powers.

Sorry...I can go off on a real rant on this subject...

Meg

[fixthecopier]

Re: Do experienced techs use manuals?

I've heard from my field techs that KM won't talk to you unless you've read the manual and that they will ask you that first...

I haven't been ask that... yet.

[nmfaxman]

Re: Do experienced techs use manuals?

Do you know where the green wire on cn5 b12 on pwb-r comes from?

Nether do I.

But I carry the manual for reference in case I need to know what that one wire out of thousands controls.

Check the latest post about lazy techs.

[blackcat4866]

Re: Do experienced techs use manuals?

Perhaps JRALTA doesn't wander too far outside his comfort zone. I admit that it must be nice to work on one brand or model to memorize every part #, every jam code, every error code, but for most of us that just isn't a reality. I discovered years ago that most of the specialized knowledge just goes away when you're not using it regularly. That information is more effectively saved in spreadsheets, rather than tying up valuable processing braincells. =^..^=

[JR2ALTA]

Regarding the last two posts

I started by saying I rarely use manuals. Not I never do.

It's merely a commentary on our daily work routine and the fact the machines themselves have better diagnostics and code descriptions.

If you want to call me lazy, fine but keep in my mind I'm spending my off hours on a copier tech forum so I must have some interest and dedication in this line of work.

Thanks