Connected directly to the wall via switch.

Ticket: two computers at remote office are experiencing network issues

Description: N/A

Call in. Pleasantries exchanged. Whether nice in other side of county. Kid had a great soccer match. Some people are desperate to talk. Sometimes its me.

$Me: Anyway, lets get working on this ticket! Tell me about the computers, when were they last working and are they desktops or laptops?

$Maintenance User(MU): They were doing fine just last night. Both desktops.

$Me: OK. Could you please check internet connection? Try opening Google and searching for something.

$MU: 'Martha, try googling something. Please? Are you sure? OK.'

$MU: No internet. Our network drives aren't working either.

$Me: Too bad, that means I cant remote into them. Also means the problem most likely lies outside the computer. Could you check the Ethernet cables are connected properly to the machines? And please follow them to their connection. Are they connected directly to the wall?

$MU: One sec.

Grunting and shuffling under desk. Looked at contact pic on monitor, guy looks like bearded Tommy Boy in his 40s. Feel sorry he has to squeeze down there.

$MU: Both solidly plugged in directly to the wall.

$Me: And these are the only computers having issues?

$MU: Yes. Cables we're really strained though. All twisted.

$Me: OK. Something is wrong with the Ethernet cables. Do you have spares?

We had recently upgraded the facility to use an actual network system that didn't involve 20 different switches. Did drops from the office to a Comm room with a 20 port switch and a Juniper Firewall. Reall clean. No way those drops are down yet so I only ask the following for peace if mind.

$Me: And no one has gone into Comm room right? No one moved anything?

$MU: Na. Only you guys and Phone Company go in there. No Ethernet cables here either.

$Me: OK, I'm getting closer HQ to send you some via courier. When they get there, please switch out the old cables for these. Call me when you do and well double check everything.

Exchange goodbyes.

I write an email to Other HQ IT asking to send out cables with specs.

Two minutes later get this email from $MU.

"Issue has been resolved. Power cable from Switch connecting computers to wall had been disconnected. Computers working correctly now.

Thanks for the help! MU"

Well then. I guess directly to the wall means stopping by for a drink at Switch.