I fix computers for $ - need some info

[Tengis]

I figured I would put this in hardware since it pertains to hardware.

about 50% of the time I look at someones computer that is broke ass (not turning on/working) they ask my what kind of diagnostic tools I use... wtf? What diagnostic tools? The only tools I know of is a PSU tester, and those dont EVER EVER work right. I feel stupid saying something like, "Well, Ive been working with computers for years and usually problems like this end up being (insert generic pc part here)". Know what I mean? Really the only "tools" are other PC parts to test in the computer.

=)

 

[xdviper]

they are probably asking "how do you know that this is this and this is that".
just my 50cents

 

[Dr.Evil]

you could always use "I use my years of experience" line, sometimes it works for me but most the time its hard to answer a question like that i just do it and not really notice how i do it

 

[Dome]

just tell them that PC repair is recognizing symptoms and then testing parts in a different machine.

 

[acetic]

Tell them that you are a robot designed to diagnose and fix computer problems, and were made by the government. Or tell them you communicate with Bill Gates through telepathy, and he guides you.

Just tell them straight up that you have a screw driver, and a few programs on a CD, and lots of experience.

 

[Deleted member 12106]

I like to avoid the older crowd that gets too fusturated too quickly.

I had one lady, she drops off her puter, and says that her ex was looking at pron and she wanted it all removed, so, I was like, ok, you want a reformat? And she said sure.

Then, she wanted a nic installed.

I bring it to her palce, it worked fine over night, the isp told her she had a bad nic(wtf, a 3com just don't die).

I go back there, and help her get it up and running, the whole time she is bitching about how the minute you buy a computer it is obsolete and me and my buddy are like um no, and she gets mad at us.

We where all like damn this thing is slow, a celley 400, 32mb ram, an emahines!.

So we got her net working, and, she calls back and asks how to install the printer she just bought, I was like wtf, rtfm, and she was liek I did, so I said call tech support and she got mad. It is like wtf, my services are not the blame for user error.

She also got pissed cuz I took out her modem, which, was 56k. She just went to broadband, there was no need for it:?

 

[BlindedByScience]

Tell the truth - there isn't really a diagnostic tool for diagnosing basic PC hardware issues that years of experience and a little hardware substitution won't find. My garage and bench are popular because I've kept older but known good CPU's, PSU's, memory, vid cards, etc. around to substitute once the issue seems clear. Nothing fantastic, but as I said - known good stuff.

In "BBS laboratories" (aka the nice bench in the garage), I do use Memtest86, 3DMark2001SE, and Prime95 to verify the stability of the system and to make sure something else isn't whacked out once I find the bad hardware, but it is what it is.

Rock On - B.B.S.

 

[Acidwarp01]

So we got her net working, and, she calls back and asks how to install the printer she just bought, I was like wtf, rtfm, and she was liek I did, so I said call tech support and she got mad. It is like wtf, my services are not the blame for user error.

She also got pissed cuz I took out her modem, which, was 56k. She just went to broadband, there was no need for it:?[/Qoute]

Even though it can be annoying from time to time. I feel it is neccessary to help customers with as many problems as possible. Whenever someone calls with something like a printer setup. I try to lead them through it. A printer setup doesnt take long and is fairly easy. If someone calls wanted to know how to install a modem, then I recommend a service call since the PC must be opened. I NEVER encourage or help a customer open PC.

As for the modem, dont you think it is in poor taste to remove components from a customer's computer? Regardless of whether they need it or not? Unless the modem just had to come out for the NIC to be installed I would of left it alone.

Thats me though, everyone runs their business differently.

 

[versello]

So we got her net working, and, she calls back and asks how to install the printer she just bought, I was like wtf, rtfm, and she was liek I did, so I said call tech support and she got mad. It is like wtf, my services are not the blame for user error.

She also got pissed cuz I took out her modem, which, was 56k. She just went to broadband, there was no need for it:?

I used to work in the repair business for home users / small-medium companies (thank god I don't anymore). I personally would have left the modem alone, or ask if she still wanted the modem installed.

 

[Wixard]

I help anyone that calls, to an extent. Sometimes people will call and get information, then go buy the product somewhere else. Which i dont have a problem with, until they bring it in, bought the wrong damn thing, and paid way to much, then get mad because it wont work.

Then theres the leechers, i guess you could call them. Who come in, get information, then leave, on a weekly basis, or for days in a row. Which normally i dont have a problem, till it starts to look like they're taking advantage.

 

[Wondernerd]

I've got a POST reader that I install and as it flips the codes by I mumble "Hmmm...Yeah...Ahhh...Well That explains that...." And then tell them the Thurman unit has gone into quad multiplex failure mode(At which point they say "I heard that can happen") and then charge them 200 dollars parts, labor, handling and restocking to plug the Cat-5 back in.

I've even got a portable O'scope I bring and either hook it to power or set it in test mode. Then call the person over and explain to them what is going on in as much technical bullshit as possible. "Yeah, the Thurman header is out of RAS alignment with the non-lossy temperance electrofield transistors, but you get that with these older units." At which point I then resort to a highly complex procedure of flipping through settings, and then rebooting which would have fixed the problem, but isn't near as fun as looking at them and saying "Well... I think I can fix it. I'm sure I can. By the way, you did make a recent backup of all your data right?"

I've thought about building the PKE meter from Ghostbusters and use that on service calls. Study the output and then adjust the refresh rate on their moniter and charge 400 for the "In depth harmonic analysis and calibration of a closed feed CRT"

I've found that the computer repair field is a very fun place to be if you are a bastard. And they even pay you for it.

 

[Xeese]

She also got pissed cuz I took out her modem, which, was 56k. She just went to broadband, there was no need for it:?

If removing anything from a system, always let the clientknow why you removed it and give it to them in an anti-static bag unless itis a dead part. It is cool to offer to "dispose" of any part, but removingsomething without them knowing about it can resultin legal problems.

 

[AgentxofxChaos]

I've got a POST reader that I install and as it flips the codes by I mumble "Hmmm...Yeah...Ahhh...Well That explains that...." And then tell them the Thurman unit has gone into quad multiplex failure mode(At which point they say "I heard that can happen") and then charge them 200 dollars parts, labor, handling and restocking to plug the Cat-5 back in.

I've even got a portable O'scope I bring and either hook it to power or set it in test mode. Then call the person over and explain to them what is going on in as much technical bullshit as possible. "Yeah, the Thurman header is out of RAS alignment with the non-lossy temperance electrofield transistors, but you get that with these older units." At which point I then resort to a highly complex procedure of flipping through settings, and then rebooting which would have fixed the problem, but isn't near as fun as looking at them and saying "Well... I think I can fix it. I'm sure I can. By the way, you did make a recent backup of all your data right?"

I've thought about building the PKE meter from Ghostbusters and use that on service calls. Study the output and then adjust the refresh rate on their moniter and charge 400 for the "In depth harmonic analysis and calibration of a closed feed CRT"

I've found that the computer repair field is a very fun place to be if you are a bastard. And they even pay you for it.

Haha, that was good. I've been meaning to get one of those POST Readers just for the hell of it, but haven't gotten around to it yet. I'm still working on getting a proton pack to zap viruses though...

I really don't know how you would answer a question like that, but i would pretty much give an answer like "Well typically these are symptoms of..." treat like a doctor diagnoses a patient, afterall this is a profession too. Just don't start giving away your secrets to the customer.

 

[ilkka]

Haha, that was good. I've been meaning to get one of those POST Readers just for the hell of it, but haven't gotten around to it yet. I'm still working on getting a proton pack to zap viruses though...

I really don't know how you would answer a question like that, but i would pretty much give an answer like "Well typically these are symptoms of..." treat like a doctor diagnoses a patient, afterall this is a profession too. Just don't start giving away your secrets to the customer.

The only real secret is experience and having spare parts to test with. You can't give something like that away.

 

[Deleted member 12106]

If removing anything from a system, always let the clientknow why you removed it and give it to them in an anti-static bag unless itis a dead part. It is cool to offer to "dispose" of any part, but removingsomething without them knowing about it can resultin legal problems.

I told her that I took it out and it was not needed.

I was also at her house for over 1.5 hours for free fixing her internet since the ISP would not help her fix it, it was a problem with thier settings, I can;t charge someone to fix something the ISP fucked up on.

As for the printer, come on, the instructions are plain as day, if my mom can install a printer, then anyone can.

She had purchased the printer after I initially re-installed on her box.

This is a classic example of why I am moving away from the PC repair business and sticking to family members and friends only. I can't handle dealing with people that don;t want help, I told her to follow the instructions and told her how to install it, but, I was not going to make another trip over toher house, I spent 1.5 hours there and she made no mention of it, I seen it hooked up and figured she had it running.

She was a very hard client to deal with. She gave me the puter stating that I was to fix what was wrong with it, and she was in no hurry to get it back.

After having it for about 3 days she called and asked if I was done with it, I was still finishing up on it. I generally tweak people's computers for them when I work on them but, she wanted the computer back b4 I got to that point.

When I brought it back to her she had an aditude about it.

 

[JSClark]

I also fix computers on the side for $, and I get some odd questions from time to time. I just tell them that I've run into that problem before

 

[Deleted member 12106]

the best is when you get someone that is totally dumb and don;t listent oa friggin; thing you say i got a co-worker, he bought a pc from wal mart, i gave him some shit

Then, it came with mcaffe, he installed norton even though I told him DONT.

He came into work and said yah I installed norton and then...I finished the sentence for him, he asked, how did you know, I was like hi, I told you...

Then, he waned to upgrade from winme to xp. I told him get home, the full version.

He got the pro full version, and wants to do a fresh install, his pr0n pop ups are pestering him, but, he didn't listen and ow he suffers.

He got broadband, would not take my advice ong etting a cheap firewall, has trojans up the ass.

He also pronounces ether net as eeh-thernet, it is funny.

When he got his pc he wanted to upgrade the ram, I hold him mre then 384 on winme would be pointless as the OS would not use it. he upgraded to like 512 or 768, don;t remember, but, then complained only 384 showed up, i was like I told you so.

He is now running his upgrade version of winxp pro, with trojans, on broadband, and complains about his popups.

That, is what I deal with.

I am so glad I don't offer my services like I use to, that was the typical of what I delt with :arg:

 

[JSClark]

the best is when you get someone that is totally dumb and don;t listent oa friggin; thing you say i got a co-worker, he bought a pc from wal mart, i gave him some shit

Then, it came with mcaffe, he installed norton even though I told him DONT.

He came into work and said yah I installed norton and then...I finished the sentence for him, he asked, how did you know, I was like hi, I told you...

Then, he waned to upgrade from winme to xp. I told him get home, the full version.

He got the pro full version, and wants to do a fresh install, his pr0n pop ups are pestering him, but, he didn't listen and ow he suffers.

He got broadband, would not take my advice ong etting a cheap firewall, has trojans up the ass.

He also pronounces ether net as eeh-thernet, it is funny.

When he got his pc he wanted to upgrade the ram, I hold him mre then 384 on winme would be pointless as the OS would not use it. he upgraded to like 512 or 768, don;t remember, but, then complained only 384 showed up, i was like I told you so.

He is now running his upgrade version of winxp pro, with trojans, on broadband, and complains about his popups.

That, is what I deal with.

I am so glad I don't offer my services like I use to, that was the typical of what I delt with :arg:

He doesn't deserve a computer. Go to his house with an axe now!

 

[ilkka]

When he got his pc he wanted to upgrade the ram, I hold him mre then 384 on winme would be pointless as the OS would not use it. he upgraded to like 512 or 768, don;t remember, but, then complained only 384 showed up, i was like I told you so.

I've never heard of such a thing before. Link?

 

[Dr.Evil]

win9x systems cannot handle memory more than 512, OS limitation as they also cannot handle more that a 2 gig processor

link for ya

EDIT: after reading a little more the max memory limit is 1 gig according to microsoft but with the way win9x handles memory its not worth it

 

[xdviper]

the best is when you get someone that is totally dumb and don;t listent oa friggin; thing you say i got a co-worker, he bought a pc from wal mart, i gave him some shit

Then, it came with mcaffe, he installed norton even though I told him DONT.

He came into work and said yah I installed norton and then...I finished the sentence for him, he asked, how did you know, I was like hi, I told you...

Then, he waned to upgrade from winme to xp. I told him get home, the full version.

He got the pro full version, and wants to do a fresh install, his pr0n pop ups are pestering him, but, he didn't listen and ow he suffers.

He got broadband, would not take my advice ong etting a cheap firewall, has trojans up the ass.

He also pronounces ether net as eeh-thernet, it is funny.

When he got his pc he wanted to upgrade the ram, I hold him mre then 384 on winme would be pointless as the OS would not use it. he upgraded to like 512 or 768, don;t remember, but, then complained only 384 showed up, i was like I told you so.

He is now running his upgrade version of winxp pro, with trojans, on broadband, and complains about his popups.

That, is what I deal with.

I am so glad I don't offer my services like I use to, that was the typical of what I delt with :arg:

lmao ha ha ha, lol. he has one fucked up computer

 

[AgentxofxChaos]

The only real secret is experience and having spare parts to test with. You can't give something like that away.

I understand that, what i meant by secrets is anything else, not replacement parts but if someone calls you in to fix something unrelated to hardware and you use some sort of software or some other easily available software or workaround or something. In other words don't give away solutions unless you really don't want to come back or don't feel like accepting their money. All common sense though i suppose.