Customer doesn't have time to wait for the *FREE* install.

I had a customer come in on Monday the 19th and can't get his ASUS branded desktop to run.

I go through the standard on the spot diagnostics. RAM, video card, cmos reset, etc. and I can't figure it out. I'm suspecting bad motherboard or CPU. I suggest he lets me keep it for a few days for a diagnostic.

We were (and still are) at 4-6 days turnaround because it's really busy and he couldn't have that. He's a teacher and needs his stuff right now (Isn't it winter break?).

He suggests just replacing the motherboard and CPU because we don't know which. I don't really want to do that without a proper diag, but he insists, so I sell him a decent ASUS board and a 3.2GHz Phenom X6 because "he wants the best, he needs it for his work" and that's what I had in stock.

I didn't realize it, but he was expecting me to install it right there, on the spot. I tell him I can't because there's 4 people waiting behind him, but I'll cut him a deal. Because he spent over $300, I'll waive the $50 expedite fee and do it tomorrow (the 20th, Tuesday). He can't have that. He needs it tonight, or else.

He wants to take the mobo and CPU home to install himself. Apparently he likes to read a lot online and thinks he knows what to do.

I give him some pointers to be safe. Standard dos and don'ts about pins and static shock. I also showed him on a board I had lying around how to install the CPU. Showed him the right orientation and how to tell. I think to myself "he's going to call every 10 minutes till we close tonight". I didn't get any calls, thankfully.

Fast forward to today - the 28th. 9 days later.

He comes in with a computer that won't post. I do a visual scan.

• Power supply has 8pin ATX that splits into two 4pin. He shoved the wrong 4pin into the board

• There's a label for SATA6G_6 and some solder points, but no connector

• Three hard drives installed: one correctly in the top HDD bay, and two upside down in the FDD bays.

• The "core unlocker" switch on the board was on. He says "I read in the manual that you are supposed to have it on". After 5 minutes he couldn't find it...

He claims the 4pin ATX slid right in, so he probably damaged the plug prior to this. Oh well, the + and - are in the same place. Shouldn't do any damage.

He said "I put the wrong end of the SATA cable on the board" then he couldn't get it out of that slot because there wasn't a clip (BS) and it ripped off the holder and the pins.

Also, "I know, there's two upside down, they wouldn't fit anywhere else". (The case has plastic holds instead of screw holes)

I fix what I can and do the standard bench diag again. Still no post.

This time I have no sympathy. It's coming in for standard service or he can go home. This time he agreed to the $50 expedite.

Now, just 30 minutes ago, I disassemble everything. Just as I'm starting to assemble it on the bench out of the case, I see this:

http://i.imgur.com/65mPB.jpg

I don't know what more could have gone wrong. At least he didn't wipe the thermal grease off the heat sink.

Oh yea, one more thing. The case has A FUCKING BEST BUY STICKER ON IT DATED TODAY. I hope he went there out of embarrassment.

Wow, this got a lot longer than I was planning. Thanks for reading my rant if you got all the way through it...

TL;DR: Customer didn't want to wait for a diag, or 1 day for a free parts install and opted to install himself. Comes back 9 days later and he's messed up nearly everything including CPU pins

Edit: Fixed the pins. I got it to POST. Went to set the time/date in BIOS and it froze. Here's what I see after a power cycle

Edit2: Got the BIOS update in a .rom file on a flash drive. Board doesn't recognize it. Sigh ... going to try a CD but I'm doubtful...