Using English at Work：35 Having Computer Problems(7)

（单词翻译）

When we return to the office, I know I have to try to make some headway with my report.

Unfortunately, as soon as I sit down in front of my computer, it starts acting¹ up.

First, my computer screen freezes and I have to boot it up again.

Then, when I try to print a copy of my report, it won't print.

I discover that the problem is that the printer is jammed, so it takes some time to clear it and for it to work again.

Finally, when I think that my computer worries are over, my mouse and keyboard go haywire.

I finally give up and call the computer tech.

I don't usually like calling the computer tech to help me with computer problems.

She's nice enough, but she always makes me feel like I did something bad to my computer - something I shouldn't have done - even when I haven't.

When she arrives, she sits down at my computer and asks me a lot of questions to find out what the problem might be.

I tell her about the problems I had and she asks if I'd had any problems while working on my word processing program.

I say that everything was fine, but I did have some trouble formatting² one of my files³ and got an error message when working on my spreadsheet program.

She starts doing something to my computer, typing on the keys a mile a minute for a long time.

Finally she says, "Okay, it's fixed⁴. You shouldn't have any more problems now - as long as you don't abuse⁵ your computer."

Of course I never abuse my computer, but it's no use telling her.

At least my computer is fixed and I can keep working.

That's the end of our sixth lesson. In our seventh lesson, I'm going to talk about scheduling a meeting at work.

This course has been a production of the Center for Educational Development, in beautiful Los Angeles, California⁶. Visit our website at eslpod.com. This course was produced by Dr⁷. Jeff McQuillan and Dr. Lucy Tse. Copyright⁸ 2008.