No More Charity Computer Repairs!!!

[notfred]

I can't believe how many people are saying "Yeah, I don't do free tech support work anymore.... except for family and friends "

Who were you doing it for before? Total strangers? You wonder why the tech economy's in a slump... it's cause a bunch of ATOTers are out there doing all the work for free...
Why not just put up notices on billboards "Computer broken? I've got plenty of free time... call 555-5555"

 

[Saulbadguy]

Originally posted by: amcdonald

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
Please give me your name so I can ensure that no one I know ever uses you. You disable the notification of a problem and you consider that problem solved? Rather than solve anything you format and *downgrade* the woman to Windows ME, and that's problem solved?

Those are some pretty horrible troubleshooting skills. How hard is it to just come back later on with a win2k cd and a spybot/virus cd? I would only consider installing ME on an enemy's computer.

How hard is it to read the entire post to understand whats going on? I HAD to format, and install a new OS. Windows ME was functional, and works fine in most cases. I know you guys that are ripping me must think you are the gods of tech support, and only your way will do, but you have no idea how things went down. I had to get out of there to get to an appointment, and I needed to make the machine functional. It was functional when I left. The first time when I disabled the message, was after many hours of troubleshooting, and restoring original files, uninstalling all the spyware, and running ad-aware on the machine. The next time I went out, the machine would NOT boot up, that is when I had to format and install an OS. It was either Me or 98. I used Me due to the fact that it would recognize hardware in there that I had no idea what it was, due to it being generic and most of the items had no labeling of any kind. I could have found a Windows 2000 CD, but I thought installing 2k again would be a bad idea, as it is much less forgiving in situations such as these. I did not want to take over as this familys "PC tech" and have to keep coming over on a regular basis, as I do not do sidework normally. Get it?

 

[amcdonald]

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: amcdonald

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
Please give me your name so I can ensure that no one I know ever uses you. You disable the notification of a problem and you consider that problem solved? Rather than solve anything you format and *downgrade* the woman to Windows ME, and that's problem solved?

Those are some pretty horrible troubleshooting skills. How hard is it to just come back later on with a win2k cd and a spybot/virus cd? I would only consider installing ME on an enemy's computer.

How hard is it to read the entire post to understand whats going on? I HAD to format, and install a new OS. Windows ME was functional, and works fine in most cases. I know you guys that are ripping me must think you are the gods of tech support, and only your way will do, but you have no idea how things went down. I had to get out of there to get to an appointment, and I needed to make the machine functional. It was functional when I left. The first time when I disabled the message, was after many hours of troubleshooting, and restoring original files, uninstalling all the spyware, and running ad-aware on the machine. The next time I went out, the machine would NOT boot up, that is when I had to format and install an OS. It was either Me or 98. I used Me due to the fact that it would recognize hardware in there that I had no idea what it was, due to it being generic and most of the items had no labeling of any kind. I could have found a Windows 2000 CD, but I thought installing 2k again would be a bad idea, as it is much less forgiving in situations such as these. I did not want to take over as this familys "PC tech" and have to keep coming over on a regular basis, as I do not do sidework normally. Get it?

I did read your entire post. And if you had done a good job initially the PC wouldn't have crashed, 'requiring' a format. Turning off warnings isn't a good way to solve a problem. The first time you were out there, you should have left, and came back with a win2k CD. You should have just asked her what OS she was running beforehand and brought one. You said that in the end it all worked out good for both of you, but you basically got paid $270 to tell her to buy a new computer.

 

[GoingUp]

Yea, my dads friend still calls me all the time about fine tuning his PC.... .fvckin call gateway, thats why youre payin for their tech support

 

[neutralizer]

Argh... thankfully, I haven't done any in-case computer repairs, just basic walkthrough over the phone to get some software working or troubleshooting. Not so bad.

 

[Saulbadguy]

Originally posted by: amcdonald

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: amcdonald

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
Please give me your name so I can ensure that no one I know ever uses you. You disable the notification of a problem and you consider that problem solved? Rather than solve anything you format and *downgrade* the woman to Windows ME, and that's problem solved?

Those are some pretty horrible troubleshooting skills. How hard is it to just come back later on with a win2k cd and a spybot/virus cd? I would only consider installing ME on an enemy's computer.

How hard is it to read the entire post to understand whats going on? I HAD to format, and install a new OS. Windows ME was functional, and works fine in most cases. I know you guys that are ripping me must think you are the gods of tech support, and only your way will do, but you have no idea how things went down. I had to get out of there to get to an appointment, and I needed to make the machine functional. It was functional when I left. The first time when I disabled the message, was after many hours of troubleshooting, and restoring original files, uninstalling all the spyware, and running ad-aware on the machine. The next time I went out, the machine would NOT boot up, that is when I had to format and install an OS. It was either Me or 98. I used Me due to the fact that it would recognize hardware in there that I had no idea what it was, due to it being generic and most of the items had no labeling of any kind. I could have found a Windows 2000 CD, but I thought installing 2k again would be a bad idea, as it is much less forgiving in situations such as these. I did not want to take over as this familys "PC tech" and have to keep coming over on a regular basis, as I do not do sidework normally. Get it?

I did read your entire post. And if you had done a good job initially the PC wouldn't have crashed, 'requiring' a format. Turning off warnings isn't a good way to solve a problem. The first time you were out there, you should have left, and came back with a win2k CD. You should have just asked her what OS she was running beforehand and brought one. You said that in the end it all worked out good for both of you, but you basically got paid $270 to tell her to buy a new computer.

Would have could have should have. There was really no other way to get that message from stopping, other than turning it off, or re-formatting. That was their only complaint, was the message that popped up. I did fix the problem they asked me to come out and fix. I don't think turning off a message notification would have ANYTHING to do with the computer crashing a week later...but you are entitled to your opinion.

I admit it wasn't my finest hour, but the whole experience taught me one thing..people who know nothing about computers should not buy custom-built rigs, built by people who know little about computers. Whenever anyone asks me what they should buy, I always say Dell, or even a VPR matrix from best buy.

 

[Lucky]

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
Haha. This isn't exactly "charity" but..here goes.

A lady from my temple called me, as my MOTHER gave her my #. She was having problems with her computer. So I told her I would have to come and look at it, so I made an appointment to come to her house on a saturday.

My worst fears were confirmed. Home-built computer. Cheap parts, cheap motherboard, athlon (cheap), cheap everything. Windows 2000. Spyware/adware/bonzi buddy/IE toolbars/pop ups on startup out the WAZOO. This was causing many problems, and every few minutes a message would pop up asking me if I wanted to keep previous version of some files (windows file protection.) Ok..I didn't have a Win2000 CD..so I just found a way to disable the message. Problem solved. I get paid.

3 days later. Called again. The computer won't boot up. Apparently disabling that message has caused problems, and now the computer doesn't boot up. I forget the message I got, but the computer indeed would not boot up. I decided to format. She was OK with that, and since I didn't have Windows 2000...I said screw it, and loaded up Windows ME. I get paid.

1 week later. She is experiencing random lockups. I come over, and I have no idea what is locking it up. It HARD froze, out of nowhere. I updated bios, updated drivers, did everything I could think of. Seemed to work fine. I get paid.

3 days later. Same thing, locking up all the time. I confirm this, and try to fix it again. No pay this time, I refused.

I come back later sometime..I stopped keeping track of days at this point. She then offered me the information that the guy who built the computer (a friend of their son, who no longer lives in the area) told her that that Windows ME would not work, as it locked up. Of course...cheap hardware, AMD based system (not slamming AMD but the cheaper stuff always seems to be much more incompatible), it made sense. I told her I did not have Windows 2000 (I lied), and I couldn't load it on the computer. She then asked the question I was waiting for the whole time..."Would it be easier if I just bought a new computer?" THANK GOD!! I told her yes, go to Best Buy or whatever and just get a new one. She did, and I have not heard from her since.

Total hours spent at her house : 13 hours
Total cost of repairs: $270.00

Yea..I know, cheap. I didn't charge her for alot of it, I was trying to be nice. I no longer do sidework for anyone, except family and family friends.

wow, you suck. i'd be embarassed to charge for "service" so shoddy.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: amcdonald

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: amcdonald

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
Please give me your name so I can ensure that no one I know ever uses you. You disable the notification of a problem and you consider that problem solved? Rather than solve anything you format and *downgrade* the woman to Windows ME, and that's problem solved?

Those are some pretty horrible troubleshooting skills. How hard is it to just come back later on with a win2k cd and a spybot/virus cd? I would only consider installing ME on an enemy's computer.

How hard is it to read the entire post to understand whats going on? I HAD to format, and install a new OS. Windows ME was functional, and works fine in most cases. I know you guys that are ripping me must think you are the gods of tech support, and only your way will do, but you have no idea how things went down. I had to get out of there to get to an appointment, and I needed to make the machine functional. It was functional when I left. The first time when I disabled the message, was after many hours of troubleshooting, and restoring original files, uninstalling all the spyware, and running ad-aware on the machine. The next time I went out, the machine would NOT boot up, that is when I had to format and install an OS. It was either Me or 98. I used Me due to the fact that it would recognize hardware in there that I had no idea what it was, due to it being generic and most of the items had no labeling of any kind. I could have found a Windows 2000 CD, but I thought installing 2k again would be a bad idea, as it is much less forgiving in situations such as these. I did not want to take over as this familys "PC tech" and have to keep coming over on a regular basis, as I do not do sidework normally. Get it?

I did read your entire post. And if you had done a good job initially the PC wouldn't have crashed, 'requiring' a format. Turning off warnings isn't a good way to solve a problem. The first time you were out there, you should have left, and came back with a win2k CD. You should have just asked her what OS she was running beforehand and brought one. You said that in the end it all worked out good for both of you, but you basically got paid $270 to tell her to buy a new computer.

Would have could have should have. There was really no other way to get that message from stopping, other than turning it off, or re-formatting. That was their only complaint, was the message that popped up. I did fix the problem they asked me to come out and fix. I don't think turning off a message notification would have ANYTHING to do with the computer crashing a week later...but you are entitled to your opinion.

I admit it wasn't my finest hour, but the whole experience taught me one thing..people who know nothing about computers should not buy custom-built rigs, built by people who know little about computers. Whenever anyone asks me what they should buy, I always say Dell, or even a VPR matrix from best buy.

People who know nothing shouldn't try to repair them either and accept payment when they don't fix it.

 

[neutralizer]

Originally posted by: Lucky

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
Haha. This isn't exactly "charity" but..here goes.

A lady from my temple called me, as my MOTHER gave her my #. She was having problems with her computer. So I told her I would have to come and look at it, so I made an appointment to come to her house on a saturday.

My worst fears were confirmed. Home-built computer. Cheap parts, cheap motherboard, athlon (cheap), cheap everything. Windows 2000. Spyware/adware/bonzi buddy/IE toolbars/pop ups on startup out the WAZOO. This was causing many problems, and every few minutes a message would pop up asking me if I wanted to keep previous version of some files (windows file protection.) Ok..I didn't have a Win2000 CD..so I just found a way to disable the message. Problem solved. I get paid.

3 days later. Called again. The computer won't boot up. Apparently disabling that message has caused problems, and now the computer doesn't boot up. I forget the message I got, but the computer indeed would not boot up. I decided to format. She was OK with that, and since I didn't have Windows 2000...I said screw it, and loaded up Windows ME. I get paid.

1 week later. She is experiencing random lockups. I come over, and I have no idea what is locking it up. It HARD froze, out of nowhere. I updated bios, updated drivers, did everything I could think of. Seemed to work fine. I get paid.

3 days later. Same thing, locking up all the time. I confirm this, and try to fix it again. No pay this time, I refused.

I come back later sometime..I stopped keeping track of days at this point. She then offered me the information that the guy who built the computer (a friend of their son, who no longer lives in the area) told her that that Windows ME would not work, as it locked up. Of course...cheap hardware, AMD based system (not slamming AMD but the cheaper stuff always seems to be much more incompatible), it made sense. I told her I did not have Windows 2000 (I lied), and I couldn't load it on the computer. She then asked the question I was waiting for the whole time..."Would it be easier if I just bought a new computer?" THANK GOD!! I told her yes, go to Best Buy or whatever and just get a new one. She did, and I have not heard from her since.

Total hours spent at her house : 13 hours
Total cost of repairs: $270.00

Yea..I know, cheap. I didn't charge her for alot of it, I was trying to be nice. I no longer do sidework for anyone, except family and family friends.

wow, you suck. i'd be embarassed to charge for "service" so shoddy.

for 13 hours, it wasn't that cheap especially with so many problems.

 

[Rufio]

people are telling you that you don't have any computer skills....fight back!

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: amcdonald

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: amcdonald

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
Please give me your name so I can ensure that no one I know ever uses you. You disable the notification of a problem and you consider that problem solved? Rather than solve anything you format and *downgrade* the woman to Windows ME, and that's problem solved?

Those are some pretty horrible troubleshooting skills. How hard is it to just come back later on with a win2k cd and a spybot/virus cd? I would only consider installing ME on an enemy's computer.

How hard is it to read the entire post to understand whats going on? I HAD to format, and install a new OS. Windows ME was functional, and works fine in most cases. I know you guys that are ripping me must think you are the gods of tech support, and only your way will do, but you have no idea how things went down. I had to get out of there to get to an appointment, and I needed to make the machine functional. It was functional when I left. The first time when I disabled the message, was after many hours of troubleshooting, and restoring original files, uninstalling all the spyware, and running ad-aware on the machine. The next time I went out, the machine would NOT boot up, that is when I had to format and install an OS. It was either Me or 98. I used Me due to the fact that it would recognize hardware in there that I had no idea what it was, due to it being generic and most of the items had no labeling of any kind. I could have found a Windows 2000 CD, but I thought installing 2k again would be a bad idea, as it is much less forgiving in situations such as these. I did not want to take over as this familys "PC tech" and have to keep coming over on a regular basis, as I do not do sidework normally. Get it?

I did read your entire post. And if you had done a good job initially the PC wouldn't have crashed, 'requiring' a format. Turning off warnings isn't a good way to solve a problem. The first time you were out there, you should have left, and came back with a win2k CD. You should have just asked her what OS she was running beforehand and brought one. You said that in the end it all worked out good for both of you, but you basically got paid $270 to tell her to buy a new computer.

Would have could have should have. There was really no other way to get that message from stopping, other than turning it off, or re-formatting. That was their only complaint, was the message that popped up. I did fix the problem they asked me to come out and fix. I don't think turning off a message notification would have ANYTHING to do with the computer crashing a week later...but you are entitled to your opinion.

I admit it wasn't my finest hour, but the whole experience taught me one thing..people who know nothing about computers should not buy custom-built rigs, built by people who know little about computers. Whenever anyone asks me what they should buy, I always say Dell, or even a VPR matrix from best buy.

That is not at all fixing the problem. If I go to a mechanic and say, "my engine is knocking", does he give me ear plugs? It's your job to *FIX* the problem, not silence the manifestation of said.

Anyway, that's not the point of this thread.

 

[amcdonald]

Originally posted by: Descartes
That is not at all fixing the problem. If I go to a mechanic and say, "my engine is knocking", does he give me ear plugs? It's your job to *FIX* the problem, not silence the manifestation of said.

Anyway, that's not the point of this thread.

Thats pretty much the anaolgy I was going to give
I still do free work for friends/family. I'm just a nice guy though.

 

[m2kewl]

been there, done that. that's why i charge, no freebies. it isn't worth it.

 

[spidey07]

heh, My stock answer:

"I don't really know anything about a PC"

Works like a champ.

 

[J Heartless Slick]

I always recommend that people buy Dell because Dell provides tech support not me. I made a mistake and sold my personal laptop to the sister of a co-worker. I gave her a good as-is price plus I threw in a 30 day money back warranty. I made sure her sister saw that the laptop was working perfectly before it left my possession.

Three months after she bought it she emails me asking why it crashes when she logs on to the internet. And is the laptop still under warranty?! I have no idea what she has done to the laptop since she has had it.

 

[Saulbadguy]

Originally posted by: Rufio
people are telling you that you don't have any computer skills....fight back!

haha...I started to but its not worth it, especially with these thick-headed numbskulls. Hasn't anyone ever worked on ANYTHING that is fubar? Don't you understand? The machine I worked on was fubar..and I wasnt about to spend alot of time on it, as I didnt want to be there in the first place, and it was not worth my time to begin with. You guys werent there, so you dont have the right to say I did a poor job. I did everything I could in my power to isolate the problem. The fact was..there was no freaking problem at all. The message was popping up for no reason. Windows File protection messages pop up when you are installing an application, or an existing application is trying to copy different versions of files that are already there. Windows is trying to protect them. Why would this message pop up when there are no applications being installed, and no applications running that would be doing this? I doubt you guys will understand though. I give up trying to get my point across to you wannabe techs.

 

[amcdonald]

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: Rufio
people are telling you that you don't have any computer skills....fight back!

haha...I started to but its not worth it, especially with these thick-headed numbskulls. Hasn't anyone ever worked on ANYTHING that is fubar? Don't you understand? The machine I worked on was fubar..and I wasnt about to spend alot of time on it, as I didnt want to be there in the first place, and it was not worth my time to begin with. You guys werent there, so you dont have the right to say I did a poor job. I did everything I could in my power to isolate the problem. The fact was..there was no freaking problem at all. The message was popping up for no reason. Windows File protection messages pop up when you are installing an application, or an existing application is trying to copy different versions of files that are already there. Windows is trying to protect them. Why would this message pop up when there are no applications being installed, and no applications running that would be doing this? I doubt you guys will understand though. I give up trying to get my point across to you wannabe techs.

That is the problem to be solved. I don't understand your reasoning.... anyways I would never install ME and consider it a solution. I'm not by any means a wannabe tech.

 

[Saulbadguy]

Originally posted by: amcdonald

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: Rufio
people are telling you that you don't have any computer skills....fight back!

haha...I started to but its not worth it, especially with these thick-headed numbskulls. Hasn't anyone ever worked on ANYTHING that is fubar? Don't you understand? The machine I worked on was fubar..and I wasnt about to spend alot of time on it, as I didnt want to be there in the first place, and it was not worth my time to begin with. You guys werent there, so you dont have the right to say I did a poor job. I did everything I could in my power to isolate the problem. The fact was..there was no freaking problem at all. The message was popping up for no reason. Windows File protection messages pop up when you are installing an application, or an existing application is trying to copy different versions of files that are already there. Windows is trying to protect them. Why would this message pop up when there are no applications being installed, and no applications running that would be doing this? I doubt you guys will understand though. I give up trying to get my point across to you wannabe techs.

That is the problem to be solved. I don't understand your reasoning. I would never install ME and consider it a solution. I'm not by any means a wannabe tech.

So...what OS should I have installed? I did not want to install an illegal copy of 2000, XP, or even 98. They had a license for Me, the OS they bought with the computer. The problem being Me did not work correctly, and it froze all the time. Not like it regularly freezes, but a hard freeze. That is why the person who built it put 2000 on it. The machine had hardware, or a combination of hardware..all generic, that made it incompatible and/or unusable. I really did not have much of a choice.

 

[Lucky]

If the hardware was incompatible, then you should have troubleshooted and repaired or replaced the bad parts. If its software related, downgrading to ME is not going to help. And if you can't help them to the point where you advise them to buy a new computer, you certainly should not be charging them nearly $300.

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: amcdonald

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: Rufio
people are telling you that you don't have any computer skills....fight back!

haha...I started to but its not worth it, especially with these thick-headed numbskulls. Hasn't anyone ever worked on ANYTHING that is fubar? Don't you understand? The machine I worked on was fubar..and I wasnt about to spend alot of time on it, as I didnt want to be there in the first place, and it was not worth my time to begin with. You guys werent there, so you dont have the right to say I did a poor job. I did everything I could in my power to isolate the problem. The fact was..there was no freaking problem at all. The message was popping up for no reason. Windows File protection messages pop up when you are installing an application, or an existing application is trying to copy different versions of files that are already there. Windows is trying to protect them. Why would this message pop up when there are no applications being installed, and no applications running that would be doing this? I doubt you guys will understand though. I give up trying to get my point across to you wannabe techs.

That is the problem to be solved. I don't understand your reasoning.... anyways I would never install ME and consider it a solution. I'm not by any means a wannabe tech.

Agreed but I do completely understand his frustration with having to deal with a crap computer.

 

[wolf550e]

Originally posted by: Rufio
i only do that stuff for my immedaite family and my g/f.

no one else.
i tell them get an HP or a Dell.

It took me a couple of years to figure this out.

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: notfred
I can't believe how many people are saying "Yeah, I don't do free tech support work anymore.... except for family and friends "

Who were you doing it for before? Total strangers? You wonder why the tech economy's in a slump... it's cause a bunch of ATOTers are out there doing all the work for free...
Why not just put up notices on billboards "Computer broken? I've got plenty of free time... call 555-5555"

Man I hope you're just joking about this.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: neutralizer

Originally posted by: Lucky

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
Haha. This isn't exactly "charity" but..here goes.

A lady from my temple called me, as my MOTHER gave her my #. She was having problems with her computer. So I told her I would have to come and look at it, so I made an appointment to come to her house on a saturday.

My worst fears were confirmed. Home-built computer. Cheap parts, cheap motherboard, athlon (cheap), cheap everything. Windows 2000. Spyware/adware/bonzi buddy/IE toolbars/pop ups on startup out the WAZOO. This was causing many problems, and every few minutes a message would pop up asking me if I wanted to keep previous version of some files (windows file protection.) Ok..I didn't have a Win2000 CD..so I just found a way to disable the message. Problem solved. I get paid.

3 days later. Called again. The computer won't boot up. Apparently disabling that message has caused problems, and now the computer doesn't boot up. I forget the message I got, but the computer indeed would not boot up. I decided to format. She was OK with that, and since I didn't have Windows 2000...I said screw it, and loaded up Windows ME. I get paid.

1 week later. She is experiencing random lockups. I come over, and I have no idea what is locking it up. It HARD froze, out of nowhere. I updated bios, updated drivers, did everything I could think of. Seemed to work fine. I get paid.

3 days later. Same thing, locking up all the time. I confirm this, and try to fix it again. No pay this time, I refused.

I come back later sometime..I stopped keeping track of days at this point. She then offered me the information that the guy who built the computer (a friend of their son, who no longer lives in the area) told her that that Windows ME would not work, as it locked up. Of course...cheap hardware, AMD based system (not slamming AMD but the cheaper stuff always seems to be much more incompatible), it made sense. I told her I did not have Windows 2000 (I lied), and I couldn't load it on the computer. She then asked the question I was waiting for the whole time..."Would it be easier if I just bought a new computer?" THANK GOD!! I told her yes, go to Best Buy or whatever and just get a new one. She did, and I have not heard from her since.

Total hours spent at her house : 13 hours
Total cost of repairs: $270.00

Yea..I know, cheap. I didn't charge her for alot of it, I was trying to be nice. I no longer do sidework for anyone, except family and family friends.

wow, you suck. i'd be embarassed to charge for "service" so shoddy.

for 13 hours, it wasn't that cheap especially with so many problems.

Well considering HE caused a lot of the problems yeah i think that was overcharge.

First he disables a error message then gets surprised when it wont boot up. So to fix that he puts Win ME on it witch is one of the most bug ridden OS's MS has put out. Then he blames it on the AMD system, i don?t think really knows enough to be trying to work on someone?s system.

Why he would come on ATOT and brag about what he did is beyond me. He really screwed that poor women over. Hopefully he doesn?t "help" anyone else out.

 

[obiwaynekenobi]

Originally posted by: cybpnk

Originally posted by: Sideswipe001
The only "free" computer repairs I do now, are for my family and close friends.

Outside of that, I ned payment, and I tell them if it was something that they did to jack up the system that I just fixed.

i am the same way, except my family will not let me do it for free, they always insist on paying me.. not that im complaning or anything

Except for minor Tweaks.Which I will walk people thought over the phone or IM. I refuse to do any for anyone. I don't care who it is.

 

[Ranger X]

Fix for lay

1 to 1 trades only next time