Tell HN: How an elderly couple I know had their computer 'stop working'

#1

Post by slowwriter » Wed, Jan 17, 2024, 11:53 AM UTC

Thought I'd share a little story from today:

I was on a Zoom call with a few others, and suddenly the husband of this elderly couple proclaims that their computer 'stopped working'.

There was, however, some evidence to suggest the contrary as they were still in the call with us.

After a while we realize what has gone wrong: The husband accidentally disabled Bluetooth. The keyboard and mouse were both connected via Bluetooth.

Was it a laptop, so he could use the built-in trackpad temporarily to enable Bluetooth? Nope.

Did they have a USB mouse around to use? Also no.

So now they literally have to go into town to get a USB mouse. We had a good laugh about that.

But it did make me wonder: The button to disable Bluetooth is easily accessibly in macOS on this iMac, and honestly this could have happened to anyone including myself.

So why doesn't macOS warn the user before you disconnect all your peripherals?

Re: Tell HN: How an elderly couple I know had their computer 'stop working'

#2

Post by gitgud » Wed, Jan 17, 2024, 12:48 PM UTC

I chuckled reading this… would restarting the Mac re-enable the Bluetooth?

Re: Tell HN: How an elderly couple I know had their computer 'stop working'

#3

Post by slowwriter » Wed, Jan 17, 2024, 12:55 PM UTC

gitgud wrote: post #2

I chuckled reading this… would restarting the Mac re-enable the Bluetooth?

:)

Well, add that to the list of things that didn't prevent or solve the problem, unfortunately.

Also, I was thinking: If I was in that situation I might SSH into it from a different machine. Yeah, good luck with that to the elderly couple.

Re: Tell HN: How an elderly couple I know had their computer 'stop working'

#4

Post by bravetraveler » Wed, Jan 17, 2024, 1:09 PM UTC

Hah! Fun times. A prompt for 'N devices are paired, are you sure?' is a good idea

If their car is like mine, plug the laptop in there.

For some reason, plugging my phone in for Android Auto also forces my Bluetooth on.

Re: Tell HN: How an elderly couple I know had their computer 'stop working'

#5

Post by tnbp » Wed, Jan 17, 2024, 1:10 PM UTC

Surely, this computer must have come with a non-BT keyboard and/or mouse, though?

Re: Tell HN: How an elderly couple I know had their computer 'stop working'

#6

Post by addandsubtract » Wed, Jan 17, 2024, 1:13 PM UTC

slowwriter wrote: post #3

gitgud wrote: post #2

I chuckled reading this… would restarting the Mac re-enable the Bluetooth?

:) Well, add that to the list of things that didn't prevent or solve the problem, unfortunately. Also, I was thinking: If I was in that situation I might SSH into it from a different machine. Yeah, good luck with that to the elderly couple.

You have to enable remote SSH in the settings, first.

Re: Tell HN: How an elderly couple I know had their computer 'stop working'

#7

Post by tambourine_man » Wed, Jan 17, 2024, 1:14 PM UTC

gitgud wrote: post #2

I chuckled reading this… would restarting the Mac re-enable the Bluetooth?

Perhaps. IIRC, if a Mac starts and no keyboard is attached or paired it will show a Bluetooth searching dialog box

Re: Tell HN: How an elderly couple I know had their computer 'stop working'

#8

Post by lotsofpulp » Wed, Jan 17, 2024, 1:15 PM UTC

This website claims turning the computer off and on will prompt macOS to search for Bluetooth keyboard/mouse if there isn’t one connected.

https://macreports.com/how-to-turn-on-bluetooth-on-your-mac-...

I don’t understand how one is supposed to do this without a keyboard or mice though:

> If you are working on documents, save them, and close them.

Re: Tell HN: How an elderly couple I know had their computer 'stop working'

#9

Post by addandsubtract » Wed, Jan 17, 2024, 1:15 PM UTC

Would connecting a phone via USB work? Is there an app that lets you use your phone as a mouse / keyboard via USB?

Re: Tell HN: How an elderly couple I know had their computer 'stop working'

#10

Post by SpaceL10n » Wed, Jan 17, 2024, 1:15 PM UTC

Great question. Something like, "This computer has no input devices. Check your keyboard and mouse." Seems like pretty important use case for a personal computer targeting people who may not have grown up around computers or even finished high school.

As a user of personal computers, I should be able to easily determine if my computer is configured for basic use.