Webs’ Random Ideas

It's what happens to computer techs when they don't do their normal tech work for awhile.  My job prior to the start of this summer was working as a computer lab technician at a Midwestern university.  Unfortunately my job is only budgeted for the fall and spring semester, so during the summer I don't have a job.  The guys I work with/for are nice about it, and offer me a lab monitor position, and they pay me a similar wage.  So unless they have computer work for me, I get paid to work on my website, and/or read. 

Now don't get me wrong, I have little beef with my situation as it stands, but unfortunately, with little computer work, I get anxious and rusty.  Most recently I was tasked with replacing a motherboard in one of the Dell systems, and I did the job as normal, in about 8 or 9 minutes time.  But when I tried to turn the system on I got nothing.  I opened up the computer, checked the cables, reseeded the memory and tried again.  But again the same issue.  Upon further inspection I noted that the power supply fan spins, and the motherboard LED is lit, signifying power to the motherboard and a working power supply,  but the system won't start up.  So I left the computer with my boss, seeing how I didn't want to leave the lab post I normally sit at.  The next day my boss tells me to call Dell.  After sitting on hold while the support tech is gathering info, I open the system up for one last look (this is consequently how all tech stories sound when they reach the end) and noticed the cable that interfaces the power LED and power switch with the motherboard is unplugged.  In 6 years of computer tech work I haven't made that mistake since my first year of work.  The most basic principle of replacing anything is to check that everything you unplug gets plugged back into it's original spot.  Since everyone in my field has made this mistake at some point, I just feel like a Dum Dum and laugh at my own error.