English at University: 12 - Learn phrases about asking for technical help

Mary's been set some work – to write an assignment about business. Always studious and keen to do well, she's getting on with it in the peace and quiet of the library but there's a problem.
TRANSCRIPT
Narrator
Hello. It's time again for English at University - the series that teaches some English phrases to help you through your first year of study abroad. Mary's been set some work – to write an assignment about business. Always studious and keen to do well, she's getting on with it in the peace and quiet of the library.
Mary
…so good business needs a good plan. Hmmm.
Daniel
Oh hi Mary. Beavering away?
Mary
Hello Daniel. Well we have got an assignment to write.
Daniel
Yeah but we've still got three days and I work best when the pressure's on. Blimey, your laptop's a bit ancient isn't it?
Mary
It's a new one actually and it does me just fine. Look at what I've done so far… oh no!
It's frozen. If I push the arrow here nothing moves. Oh dear and I haven't saved it yet.
Daniel
Proved my point eh? I've got one of those Macpad Fabs – brilliant – fast processor, huge memory, almost does the assignment for you. Anyway, look what you've got to do is just reboot – press this button here… wait a few seconds and ….
Mary
Nothing. Everything's disappeared! Daniel, what have you done?
Narrator
What has he done indeed? Idiot! You've been so diligent – you've worked hard – to get this assignment done, I think you're going to need some help to get it back.
Mary
I know. But I know nothing about technology, what questions should I ask?
Narrator
Don't panic. You need to find someone who knows a bit about technology and say 'I seem to have lost my work, what can I do?' or 'do you think you can restore my work please?', or say 'I turned my computer off and didn't back up my work, is there anything you can do?' – even if it was Daniel's fault. Go and see if you can get some help.
Mary
OK, I will. Oh look, there's that technology student over there. I'll ask him.
Daniel
I don't think he's going to know what to do…
Mary
…excuse me. Do you remember me from the Study Skills session?
Tech Student
Oh, yes I do. I never forget anyone who uses an Acorn Fastbook 5.4 laptop.
Mary
Yes, good. Well I've got a problem… Daniel has turned off my laptop and I seem to have lost my work, what can I do?
Daniel
I was just trying to reboot it.
Tech Student
Hmm. That's a silly thing to do. Let me have a look.
Mary
Thanks. Do you think you can restore my work?
Tech Student
Did you back up your work?
Mary
Err well no, not before I… I mean Daniel, switched it off. Is there anything you can do?
Tech Student
Oh dear. Well if I do this… ah there bingo! Luckily it was saved on the laptop memory. An impressive 24 gigabytes of RAM in fact. I'd advise you to back it up onto this memory stick.
Daniel
It's alright mate, she can use mine.
Mary
Thanks so much err?
Tech Student
Malcolm. You're welcome. How about having a drink tonight?
Mary
Sorry I can't. I've got to study.
Narrator
Well done Malcolm and well done Mary for asking for help. You got yourself out of a tricky situation by asking these questions…
I seem to have lost my work, what can I do?
Do you think you can restore my work please?
Is there anything you do?
You can practise these phrases, pick up a few more plus learn some top tips for studying in the UK on our website at bbclearningenglish.com. So two days later, and Mary has been working in earnest to complete her assignment and now she's finished, it looks like somebody else needs some help…
Daniel
Mary, Mary… my laptop's broken and I haven't even started my assignment!
Mary
Your 'Macpad Fab'?
Daniel
Yeah. Don't know what's happened but it won't turn on. I couldn't borrow yours could I… and that memory stick I lent you?
Mary
OK - just to help a friend. But look after it and remember to back up your work!
Daniel
Yeah of course. Why wouldn't I? You sure you won't need it tonight?
Mary
No, sure go ahead. I'm going for a drink with Malcolm tonight.