Suggestion for Average PC users

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 10 Oct 2005 3:18 am

Spend $50 and get a whiz kid over to your house to clean up and set up your PC against spam, pop-ups , etc..

Todays PC's are sold with so many default programs it is near impossible to even purchase one clean. The new technology and the Internet programs that are now available have far surpassed a regular daily users ability to deal with it.

There are many local Service suppliers that can offer this in home service now..

Even the Geek Squad folks at Best Buy can do this. The top level techs are MS Certified and will do a house call..

Be sure you explain what it is you want and what it is you expect..to who ever you get..in that manner there is no confusion when it's time to pay the bill.

PC useage has now reached a point where in home service is no different than calling a plumber or an electrician...

Get a qualified tech..forget asking your buddy...

it's the difference of getting it done..in an hour or so..

or

not getting it done at all...

There was a time when I would do ALL this PC stuff myself..but then I realized that for a $50 bill I could get it done in a very short period of time and not have to pull out all the manuals, download programs etc..and then still live with NEW issues that have arised..

The technology has moved into 2005..I have not..my technology base is still back around 98 or 99...

The young fella that came to the house..geeze..GEEK CITY !!

But he did it all..smooth..he was really into it, the whole deal...cleaning the registry files...etc..everything...

The young fella, Michael, is a consultant to both local Cable suppliers and also free lances for several stores....

His business card is..uhh..right here....on the bulletin board.

Call a PC store and ask who they use..

just a thought..

t[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 10 October 2005 at 04:28 AM.]

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 10 Oct 2005 3:23 am

Why I still do part-time PC support.

Bob Martin · Post by **Bob Martin** » 10 Oct 2005 5:11 am

Yep Tony, I have supplemented my income over the last several yrs doing this for folks around town. I enjoy it and it's not rocket science nor is it laborious.

The folks usually want to fix me coffee and a snack and I have met a lot of folks that I'm friends with today.

I probably have about 20 to 30 repeat customers that call me as soon as they get a new box and I help them set it up.

then there are the other type folks that want to learn how to do it the next time by their selves hee hee. I made a mistake and charged 50.00 for my first training session a few yrs back and the guy kept me there for 6 hrs teaching him. Well you can bet the next training session was 25.00 per hr then they can learn as much as their wallet will stand hee hee.

I know most folks would not abuse the 50.00 per session but I got lucky and got a real tightwadd and wanted to make sure he got what he paid for. I had been there 3 hrs and mentioned that I should probably get home for supper and he said what you just got here I haven't got my moneys worth yet and when I mentioned I had been there 3 hrs he said don't forget you went to the bathroom 2 times (diuretics for blood pressure)2 minutes each time probably and then he said well the one thing you explained to me I didn't understand and that was your fault LOL......

Bob

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 10 Oct 2005 6:16 am

I've found it prudent to keep quiet around my relatives that I can do this...

Wiz Feinberg · Post by **Wiz Feinberg** » 10 Oct 2005 9:38 am

I am also a freelance computer troubleshooter. I even do virus and spyware removal consulting be phone and email, and get paid for my work, via PayPal. I also do onsite service calls for a few select customers who call me only when they need me. One of my customers has me maintaining their network of CNC Milling Machines that are driven by CAD programs on workstations in the offices. Fun!

Wiz

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 10 Oct 2005 9:44 am

Hmm... Can you churn out some steel guitar parts after hours?

erik · Post by **erik** » 10 Oct 2005 1:59 pm

I still have my first computer (2001). After using it for a few months I became unecessarilly scared by all the hack/virus hype that I reformatted my hard drive and tried to reload my programs. I had so many problems I thought about buying a new PC. I learned a lot here and I feel confident about maintaining my PC. I have reformatted at least 10 times. Low level formatted once, interchanged ram boards, put in new processor, sound card, reconfigured bios, new dvd drive, installed external call waiting dial-up modem, configured both my old dial-up services without any proprietary software, did Fonzie punches to the case to get my hard drive to load the OS, overheated and locked up my PC at least a few hundred times, etc, etc, It's never run better than now.

Call me paranoid, but I always wonder which "geek" will finally make the news for loading spyware into a clients PC to steal card numbers or monitor their clients personal life. Just remember, they continue to catch DMV workers, store clerks, bank tellers, etc. stealing and selling information.

Michael Barone · Post by **Michael Barone** » 10 Oct 2005 5:20 pm

I am not a PC expert. But I know how to motivate my students to become CompTIA A+ certified, as the first step. Most attend college after graduation, and some decide to start their own business, providing IT support for small businesses and consumers.

On this topic, let me add that most people using 802.11b/802.11g wireless networks do not use WEP encryption. Some of my students have told me that they can walk though just about any neighborhood and find many unsecure networks. Some knock on the door, introduce, and inform the user that their network is wide open. Once they prove the point, they offer their services.

I'm not sure if this is a good or bad idea. My students want to know what I think of this action. I have not stated an opinion or suggestion either way. I usually have a firm answer for students questions, but not this one.

What do you guys think?

(hope this fits the topic, didn't mean to hijack)

(edited to correct grammar)
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Mike Barone
Sho-Bud Pro-1 5&4 with RHL | Nashville 112
Assorted Guitars & Keyboards[This message was edited by Michael Barone on 10 October 2005 at 06:28 PM.]

Bob Martin · Post by **Bob Martin** » 11 Oct 2005 2:41 am

Wow it seems that there are a lot of us geeks here on the SGF very cool. Now I know where to come when I get stumped and yes that does happen to me all the time

but when I do get stumped I hang in there until I find the answer. Of course sometimes I have to ask for help LOL.

Bob

Wiz Feinberg · Post by **Wiz Feinberg** » 12 Oct 2005 7:23 am

Michael;
Your reply is Off Topic. Please start a new thread if you want to have a discussion about the symantics of wireless war driving and getting business from it.

Wiz

Michael Barone · Post by **Michael Barone** » 12 Oct 2005 7:34 am

Thanks Wiz. Sorry about that.

Mike