Remote Logic

I still can’t remember the subject of that funny post I had planned before I got side-tracked on the topic of spammers. But I overheard a conversation over the weekend that I’d like to share. It’s about dealing with the remote controls that operate our favorite gizmos.

From my wife's half of the conversation, I learned that my sister-in-law is setting up a special area for her husband to watch TV/DVDs. It’s small, which is good because he can’t figure out how to use remote controls—she’s getting him a TV and DVR with easily workable manual controls. According to her, every time he touches a remote he breaks it and messes up the TV/DVR. As a result, they spend a lot of time (and money) with the Geek Squad. Then the conversation became almost unbelievable.

“You paid the geeky boys $120 for fix your remote?” “What was wrong with it?” “What do you mean you don’t know?” “What did they do to fix it?” “Were the batteries dead?” “You don’t know if your remote takes batteries?” “Next time your remote acts up, try changing the batteries yourself.” “Turn it over.” “If you replace them one at a time you won’t lose the settings.” “You CAN do it!” “Yes you can!!!” ***sigh***

Apparently no one in their house is good with remotes. I would help them, but they live 2.5 hours away. They’re on their own!

Okay, the reason for this post is to share that tidbit about changing the batteries in your remotes. Many remotes lose their settings if you take out both batteries at the same time. But if you replace one first and then the other, it saves the settings—and a lot of aggravation. Who can remember all the special codes needed to work their Gramophone, Victrola, and television set??? ;P

PS – I apologize if this bit of advice is insulting. But everyone has different skill sets and after hearing that conversation I thought it couldn’t hurt to share.