Hmmm, how do I explain

Hi,
Unless I am mistaken I think this is more of a "How do I put it into terms questions". If I am mistaken then corrections are always welcomed of course :) .

There is a small network running Windows 95 workstations and 1 NT SErver which is the PDC, mail, file, printers server.

I am getting a claim that when someone saves on the server all of the sudden updates do not appear (Word documents). They claim 60 - 70 % of the time this happens.

So if UserA makes a change and saves it in the same place and closes out and UserB opens it the changes that UserA makes will not be there. They claim that sometimes UserB will have to wait 30 minutes after UserA saves changes and closes in order to see the changes. They even claim that once in a while one will have to wait 2 days to see the changes (HUH?).

I am thinking a couple of things that could be the cause. #1 User error or #2 Virus. Virus signature should be updated though.

Anyone have any takes on how to explain to someone that a computer will not wait 2 days to accept changes. AFAIK if there is any error during the save you would know within seconds as to whether the save was successful or not. I don't want to be rude and start pointing fingers saying "If you save it in the proper place it will be there for what you are explaining is physically impossible".

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, hey even if you have seen this and I am not correct and there is another reason I would appreciate that as well.

Thanks,
D

Have you stood over their shoulder and replicated the error? Ive had to do that many times. Check their local hdd,(my documents) for copies. Too many of the 20 women i support open documents from the drop down list in word (MRU) some try to open everything from within word. They didnt understand the concept. I hate it when i have an 'impossible' situation, but ive learned how to tactfully show them the error of their ways....

User error. Watch them do it. I would VNC into the machine and have to see the problem myself.

Also - if usera has a doccument open and userb opens it, it will open as read only and userb can not save to it. Also, most users have no concept of who saves what to where. Ask them to get to a folder and see what happens - they have no clue what you are talking about. I get this all the time. I will bet a penny to a pound it's user error.

There is a rule in computer work that sits above all others.

Never trust the users!

Go and watch what they are doing and replicate the problem youself and then believe it.

[quote]Originally posted by ilovetheusers:
<strong>
Never trust the users!
</strong><hr></blockquote>

Amen to that.

They falsify information, and they are dumb.

Thank you much for your input.

I figured it was user error and I lose my patience when the user(s) insist that this problem is a magical problem cause by the Almighty computer. It almost becomes confrontational because they get frustrated and I get frustrated.

Unfortunately Dealing with people is an important part of working on systems.

D