The printer that nobody can fix
The office printer prints a grey stripe on every page. Three people try things at random. Nothing works.
Then somebody opens the manual. The fix is on page 12. It takes two minutes.
By the end of this lesson
Note
I can use a technical manual to find the cause of a fault and its fix.
Key words
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Documentation | written help that comes with a product |
| Manual | a guide to set up, use and fix a product |
| Specification | a list of what a product is and can do |
| Symptom | what you can see or hear that is wrong |
| Cause | the reason the symptom happens |
| Model number | the code that names the exact product |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Starter
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Starter
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.
What is in a manual
Most manuals have the same parts. Learn them, and you find answers fast.
A specification lists sizes, speeds and limits. A set-up section shows how to install. A troubleshooting table lists each symptom with its likely cause and a fix. An error code list explains every number.
Extract from a made-up printer manual
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Grey stripe on every page | Dirty drum | Clean the drum, see page 14 |
| Paper jams at the back | Worn feed roller | Replace the roller |
| Light blinks red three times | Toner low | Fit a new toner cartridge |
| Error E-22 on the display | Door open | Close the front door firmly |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Check
Have a go
Check
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.