TxDPS crippled by computer virus
Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:48 pm
Just thought yall might like to read this..
DPS crippled by computer virus
05:05 PM CDT on Wednesday, April 15, 2009
By NOELLE NEWTON
KVUE News
Texas Department of Public Safety officials are scrambling to stop a virus that has a hold on the agency's statewide computer system.
"Our system's down; we can't do anything at all."
DPS workers repeated that phrase over and over as people attempted to renew their licenses or get a new license at the office just outside of DPS headquarters in North Austin. Every chair was empty. It’s what some of the driver's license offices across the state looked like Wednesday after a computer virus invaded the system Tuesday night.
None of the state offices are able to issue first time licenses. The phone renewal system is inoperable, although licenses can be renewed online. The office outside of DPS headquarters was able to do some business throughout the morning but began turning everyone away in the early afternoon. KVUE News spoke to people who were there at the time. They said people got so upset they were fighting in line and DPS troopers were called in to calm things down.
"I was very angry because I couldn't get my CDL (commercial driver's license), and I couldn't get my work done today,” said Alfredo Stovoal, driver.
"It's kind of frustrating because you get in your car, you bring your kids and there's no sign or anything to tell you,” Neria Rodriguez said.
Troopers are also having trouble with their in-car computers. Instead of pulling up criminal history or checking warrants on their own, troopers must rely on dispatchers for the information. DPS officials say this is not a safety issue, just an inconvenience.
There's no telling how long this will last. Workers were telling people to come back Thursday, but the problem may not be fixed until next week.
The governor's office is aware of the situation but is not releasing a statement at this time.
