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There’s something about humans and technology that makes them a perfect combo for a disaster waiting to happen. And even though we live in 2020, where tech has become a quintessential part of our daily lives, it doesn’t mean it’s as easy as pie. Don’t believe me?

Ask the tech support workers who have been witness to such monstrosities, it makes you wonder what on earth their clients were thinking. A client upgrading his phone and keeping his old screen protector ‘cause why not? Check. A mouse covered in hand grease up to the point that it’s just a lump of sheer nastiness? Check. Rice inside the iPhone? Sure. Cables tangled so badly, they resemble a wasp nest? Of course.

Thanks (do we really wanna thank them for dis?) to the Reddit community that goes by the all-telling name r/techsupportgore, we now have pure nightmare material for tech support workers or any other person who is no stranger to common sense. Psst! More painfully funny and cringe-worthy tech and gadget disasters waiting in part 1.

#2

I Said "Put It In Rice." Not "Put Rice In It."

I Said "Put It In Rice." Not "Put Rice In It."

techsupportgore Report

#3

Apparently Someone Got Tired Of It Ringing, So The Put It In The Oven

Apparently Someone Got Tired Of It Ringing, So The Put It In The Oven

techsupportgore Report

The r/techsupportgore subreddit was created on February 29, 8 years ago, and has since grown into a solid community of 467k members. According to the group’s description, it will make you “cringe to the brink of passing out after a few minutes looking at this subreddit.”

Some time ago, Bored Panda contacted Coffeechipmunk, the moderator of the r/techsupportgore subreddit, who said that the most popular posts in the community are usually the ones that show a device a moment away from exploding.

“It’s both dangerous and cool,” explained the mod. “They probably get so big because people post the pics and you think, 'Wow, that's just a bomb at that point.'"Whoever is wondering why the subreddit got so popular, it all comes down to the fact that “Honestly... it's very fun," Coffeechipmunk said.

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#4

This Key After 10 Years Of Entering Orders At My Grandmothers Shop

This Key After 10 Years Of Entering Orders At My Grandmothers Shop

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#5

Just Set It On Fire

Just Set It On Fire

techsupportgore Report

“In a time where most of the internet can be incredibly serious and most times saddening or angering, r/techsupportgore is fun because you go on it and you can laugh (and/or cringe) at the crazy posts. Where else can you see a post like, 'Wow, these cables really are messy' to 'A lizard fried my motherboard' back to back?”

Essentially, it attracts a bunch of people that enjoy tech and the very worst of it. Also, it’s especially relevant to the current generations Y and Z who basically grew up with tech around them. For these kids and young adults, seeing the picture of someone trying to charge their new laptop without taking it out of the box is essentially priceless.

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#7

One Of My Clients Upgraded His Phone But Kept His Old Screen “Protector”

One Of My Clients Upgraded His Phone But Kept His Old Screen “Protector”

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#8

German T-Mobile Found 3 Snakes Inside Their Network Unit

German T-Mobile Found 3 Snakes Inside Their Network Unit

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Kari Panda
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah, the irony. The German word for snake is also a term for someone who‘s deceitful. Seeing as our lovely Deutsche Telekom dastardly 'renewed' the contract I had with them (thus making me pay for my phone/internet TWICE for 1,5 years), I vote for this to become their official representation photo.

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#9

Customer Brought In This Imac For Not Powering On... This Is How He Apparently Uses It

Customer Brought In This Imac For Not Powering On... This Is How He Apparently Uses It

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#10

The Nastiest Mouse I Have Ever Seen In The Field. Make No Mistake, That Is Not Dust. That Is...uh...hand-Grease

The Nastiest Mouse I Have Ever Seen In The Field. Make No Mistake, That Is Not Dust. That Is...uh...hand-Grease

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#11

Shipping Thousands Of Dollars Worth Of Computers With No Packaging Material

Shipping Thousands Of Dollars Worth Of Computers With No Packaging Material

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Philly Bob Squires
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amazon did this to me... I ordered 3 6 TB hard drives and they shipped them in a bubble mailer that looked like a truck ran over it. All of the HD boxes were crushed. The drives weren't damaged but I sent them back anyway along with a really stern phone call. They replaced them (actually sent me 4 instead of 3.) Ordered some lavender soap bars for the wife and they packed them in paper and bubble wrap and in an oversized box that was so secure you could have shipped nitroglycerin in. Go figure.

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#12

Do You Think It Got Too Hot?

Do You Think It Got Too Hot?

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#13

"You Can Fix Your Sisters Phone Right? It Gets Hot Sometimes And Turns Itself Off A Lot". "What's That Smell?" Battery Acid. Literally Battery Acid

"You Can Fix Your Sisters Phone Right? It Gets Hot Sometimes And Turns Itself Off A Lot". "What's That Smell?" Battery Acid. Literally Battery Acid

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#14

“There’s Something Wrong With The Printer In The Lab...”

“There’s Something Wrong With The Printer In The Lab...”

techsupportgore Report

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#15

User Calls About Disc Being Stuck In Another Computer, Mentions Off Hand About This Laptop. They Had Been Using And Charging It Like This For Weeks...

User Calls About Disc Being Stuck In Another Computer, Mentions Off Hand About This Laptop. They Had Been Using And Charging It Like This For Weeks...

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Jon S.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh crap, that's about to have the battery ignite. Mine expanded about 1/8th of that and I panicked, took the battery out and shut it in a steel box, before I could sleep soundly.

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#16

Brother Wanted A Wireless Mouse, Kid Wanted To Help

Brother Wanted A Wireless Mouse, Kid Wanted To Help

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#17

After Two Days Of Troubleshooting, The Solution Was To Simply Flip It Upside Down. Of Course

After Two Days Of Troubleshooting, The Solution Was To Simply Flip It Upside Down. Of Course

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#18

"My PC Won't Turn On"

"My PC Won't Turn On"

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#20

Someone At Work Secured This Power-Board

Someone At Work Secured This Power-Board

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#21

People That Use PC Cables To Rest Their Feet

People That Use PC Cables To Rest Their Feet

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Jon S.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Offices should supply foot rests or smaller desks for short people. Looks like she would struggle get her heels on the ground.

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#24

Came To A Restaurant With My Dad To Fix Their Internet Issues

Came To A Restaurant With My Dad To Fix Their Internet Issues

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Kim
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please tip health inspection... The people that are responsible for this grossness are also responsible for a clean kitched o_0

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#25

"I Forgot That I Left My Laptop On The Top Of My Truck. It Flew Off When I Was On The Highway. Can You Fix It?"

"I Forgot That I Left My Laptop On The Top Of My Truck. It Flew Off When I Was On The Highway. Can You Fix It?"

techsupportgore Report

#26

Spaghetti Baguette. "I Was On A School Trip. 6 Electric Sockets For 70 People"

Spaghetti Baguette. "I Was On A School Trip. 6 Electric Sockets For 70 People"

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Leo Domitrix
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw a set-up like this once. I was using a fire extinguisher on it...

ravn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was more or less my first thought. "Well, there's a fire".

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Tiari
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He wasn't in school trips, he himself was on a school trip.

Neill Powell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cell Phones use approximately 2 to 6 watts when charging...Let's say 4 avg. Say, 30 Chargers there = 120w. Erm....Looks scary.... Technically isn't. 1 Kettle = 2000-3000W. All of that Charging is pulling less power than a 200W Plastic Electric Hand Mixer....

M O'Connell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whoever brought the 5-port supply was on the right track.

Ms. b
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

bRoOo these ppl rich richh gimme a phone pweety pwetty please..

Capelli rosa e patate
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is a recipe for getting either your phone or your charger snatched. (And fire)

Maurettis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

basically 2A for each charger... how long before everything ignites?

Louise Stange-Wahl
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll wait to see it on the news when they cover the mass fires and electrocutions!

Минко Минков
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Except the heat, all this chargers, and batteries are producing there is nothing too scary. 70 chargers multiply by 5 volt by 2 amperes max are about 700 wats, make it 1000W. Even fastest chargers as about max 18W. But all will go down when charging for some is complete. All this can't beat a single heater fan (1000W+2000W) 3kW. In Europe. So triple the power in single unit. Two heater fans are ... fire alarm incoming.

David R.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

34 deaths on a dive boat due to overloaded charging :( https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9008245/California-dive-boat-captain-charged-manslaughter-maritime-disaster.html

Enalpria
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If an Italian an a French got together and had a baby, they would name it "Spaghetti Baguette"

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#27

Drilled Right Into The Battery

Drilled Right Into The Battery

techsupportgore Report

#29

“My Tablet Is Not Charging” - Is This A Battery Or A Pillow?

“My Tablet Is Not Charging” - Is This A Battery Or A Pillow?

techsupportgore Report

#30

Customer Tried To Change The Mainboard

Customer Tried To Change The Mainboard

techsupportgore Report

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#32

My Girlfriend's Xbox 360 Hard Drive Was Rattling... Can I Recover The Data?

My Girlfriend's Xbox 360 Hard Drive Was Rattling... Can I Recover The Data?

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#34

Dispatched About A Computer That Wouldn't Boot, It Was Epoxied To The Desk. They Had To Cut It Out For Us

Dispatched About A Computer That Wouldn't Boot, It Was Epoxied To The Desk. They Had To Cut It Out For Us

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Tiari
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It certainly looks cool, even though it's totally impractical.

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#35

Hey Boss, The UPS Had Some Crazy European Connector, But I Fixed It!

Hey Boss, The UPS Had Some Crazy European Connector, But I Fixed It!

techsupportgore Report

#36

He Paid Extra For The Expert Installation

He Paid Extra For The Expert Installation

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Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not too technical savy but it looks like a liquid cooling system that's been badly setup. Hence the whole "paid extra for the EXPERT installation" bit

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#37

Teacher Was "Multitasking" And Set Laptop On Hot Stove... It Still Works Other Than A Few Lines On The Screen

Teacher Was "Multitasking" And Set Laptop On Hot Stove... It Still Works Other Than A Few Lines On The Screen

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#38

Customer Attempted Their Own Hdmi Repair With A Blowtorch

Customer Attempted Their Own Hdmi Repair With A Blowtorch

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#39

I Tried To Use My Old Case As A Chair

I Tried To Use My Old Case As A Chair

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#40

"I Straightened Bent Pins With Tweezer, But It Won't Work Afterwards"

"I Straightened Bent Pins With Tweezer, But It Won't Work Afterwards"

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#41

Go Check The Switch Closet. We Think Something Might Have Gotten Unplugged Somewhere

Go Check The Switch Closet. We Think Something Might Have Gotten Unplugged Somewhere

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#43

Painters: It’ll Be Fine

Painters: It’ll Be Fine

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#44

Yikes... Flooded Bitcoin Mining Farm

Yikes... Flooded Bitcoin Mining Farm

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Mojones
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I felt a great disturbance in the PCMR Force, as if millions of geeks suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.

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#50

Customer Came In Because Their Phone Said No Sim. I Wonder Why... (Old Sim On Bottom, New Sim On Top For Comparison)

Customer Came In Because Their Phone Said No Sim. I Wonder Why... (Old Sim On Bottom, New Sim On Top For Comparison)

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#51

Dear Clients: When I Tell You Good Thermal Paste .. It Is Not Tooth Paste :( This Is The 3rd This Month That The Apu Has Close Up Tooth Paste

Dear Clients: When I Tell You Good Thermal Paste .. It Is Not Tooth Paste :( This Is The 3rd This Month That The Apu Has Close Up Tooth Paste

techsupportgore Report

#52

Talk About A Security Risk. I Stopped At A Gas Station, And Their Sole, Family Bathroom Hosted The Rack For The Whole Station

Talk About A Security Risk. I Stopped At A Gas Station, And Their Sole, Family Bathroom Hosted The Rack For The Whole Station

techsupportgore Report

#53

My Husband's Delicious Cable Management And He Works In It

My Husband's Delicious Cable Management And He Works In It

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#54

New Servers Have Red Cables. Can’t Miss It

New Servers Have Red Cables. Can’t Miss It

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KombatBunni
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Spaghetti city..you couldn’t pay me enough to work with that going on!

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#56

Xbox Optical Drive Stopped Working. I Have Twin Toddlers

Xbox Optical Drive Stopped Working. I Have Twin Toddlers

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#58

Melted Monitor. “But I Have To Have A Lamp At My Desk. I Just Push It Behind My Monitor Because It’s Too Bright”

Melted Monitor. “But I Have To Have A Lamp At My Desk. I Just Push It Behind My Monitor Because It’s Too Bright”

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Cip IESAN
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had the "lamp problem" with a keyboard, when using a 100W bulb instead of a LED one... Better learn the song "Mary had a little lamp"!

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#59

Powered By Static Electricity Through The Carpet While Pacing Around In Socks Waiting For Installs

Powered By Static Electricity Through The Carpet While Pacing Around In Socks Waiting For Installs

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#60

I Found Out Why Internet Has Been Spotty (Yes, I Have A Rabbit)

I Found Out Why Internet Has Been Spotty (Yes, I Have A Rabbit)

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09Robdog07
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Will kinda make a teeny little fire that will probably burn the house down

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#61

My Laptop Won't Close And My WiFi Isn't Working

My Laptop Won't Close And My WiFi Isn't Working

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Tabitha L
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm shocked by the number of people that screw things into laptops. It is bizarre.

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#62

I Remember, Why I Had So Many Bad Memory's About 2000' Era Pcs

I Remember, Why I Had So Many Bad Memory's About 2000' Era Pcs

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Corey Smith
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*Memories. An apostrophe does not make a word plural. Sorry, this just irritates me.

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#63

"Geez I Lost My Charger, Welp I Guess It's Time To Take The Danger Wire Out Of The Drawer"

"Geez I Lost My Charger, Welp I Guess It's Time To Take The Danger Wire Out Of The Drawer"

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#65

Found Out Why My Monitor Stoped Working

Found Out Why My Monitor Stoped Working

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#66

You Guys Probably Get This All The Time But Here Is Mine

You Guys Probably Get This All The Time But Here Is Mine

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#67

Some Genius Who Closed Last Night, Thought It Would Be A Good Idea To Put Notebook Paper In Our Printer

Some Genius Who Closed Last Night, Thought It Would Be A Good Idea To Put Notebook Paper In Our Printer

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Banjo Peppers
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ha, I did that in school. The trick is figuring out the line spacing and margins to get it to line up right.

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#68

Our Server Room At Work Is A Closed Metal Cabinet With No Ventilation. If This Picture Had Sound Those Fans Would Be Deafening

Our Server Room At Work Is A Closed Metal Cabinet With No Ventilation. If This Picture Had Sound Those Fans Would Be Deafening

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M O'Connell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am so amused by the US Robotics fax modem next to the electrical tape :D

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#69

As Soon As The Expanded Battery Was Replaced, The Hard Drive Started Working Again! It’s A Ipod Classic 1st Generation (10gb Model)

As Soon As The Expanded Battery Was Replaced, The Hard Drive Started Working Again! It’s A Ipod Classic 1st Generation (10gb Model)

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Banjo Peppers
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A 10 gb iPod Classic 1st gen?? How much are those worth nowadays? I remember them going for a TON when I was trying to replace my very sad Nano a while ago. How much did it cost to replace the battery??

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#72

Ticket Saying Label Printer Has Stopped Printing

Ticket Saying Label Printer Has Stopped Printing

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#74

F You Are A Smoker, Do Not Buy A White Case

F You Are A Smoker, Do Not Buy A White Case

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#79

A Computer Tower Needing An External Power Supply. There Is Nothing Behind The Power Supply "Cutout". Basically A Laptop Motherboard In A Case. Also, The Card Slots Aren't Removable

A Computer Tower Needing An External Power Supply. There Is Nothing Behind The Power Supply "Cutout". Basically A Laptop Motherboard In A Case. Also, The Card Slots Aren't Removable

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Rodrigo “centoventicinque” Boschi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hp crap, i've one as pi-hole in my house, is good because is silent and requires a really low power, god as pi-hole and nas as i use it , otherwise it's a terrible desktop pc ( has a dual core fanless amd cpu )

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#80

Customer Said They Opened It To Unplug Battery? This Image Is Cursed

Customer Said They Opened It To Unplug Battery? This Image Is Cursed

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