Spend 12 some hours trying to fix it(and there might still be software glitches) or 4 hours for a format and know there won't be any conflicts when you walk away.
I go quick, easy and painless.
Spend 12 some hours trying to fix it(and there might still be software glitches) or 4 hours for a format and know there won't be any conflicts when you walk away.
I go quick, easy and painless.
The other guy billed 8 more hours though
Sometimes it is not an option either
Sometimes they have propreitary apps that cannot be installed or a bunch of other trivail easter eggs that one would rather NOT deal with. reformatting is not failure, but it is not alwyas the best best course of action.
he edited his post before you posted to clarify he suggested a format from the begining.. that it would be better in the cost effectiveness. client refused, wanted it in working order to do his own backup. not really taking advantage of him.
however, at the same token, i probably would have offered to take it and dump the drive contents, and go from there. but this is also another cost.
halik
Lifer
- Oct 10, 2000
- 25,696
- 1
- 81
Originally posted by: SunnyD
4 hours of work getting the thing cleaned up to the point it was even usable.
The machine would hang on an ipconfig for god's sake. So after 4 hours and getting it usable (among other things), I basically said at the very least, delete AOL (they don't need it, they're on cable), and I suggested backing up all the family pics and other data, and wiping the machine to start from scratch.
Needless to say, the family is eating out tonight.
edit - I should clarify, I suggested from the get-go that it would probably be more time efficient to wipe and start over. The client wanted the machine to work for the time being for various reasons, including to be able to back up data prior to such a measure.
4x50 = 200... you can get a new computer for that much
alkemyst
No Lifer
- Feb 13, 2001
- 83,769
- 19
- 81
First I am willing to bet that most replying in harshness are either clueless, or working level one support somewhere for whatever that pays.
Most old folks don't want to "REFORMAT" "START OVER", they worry about that may cause data loss.
Save it all they say.
Most of the time I can do just that, but if I am spending time more than 4 hours I usaully ask them to give me the machine so I can have it run in the background.
Still some insist I work it there.
I am a higher level IT/IS guy, people in the our company ask me to troubleshoot their problems because I know what I am doing and the GeekSquad types are asking 3 digits to just start the ball rolling.
In the past I liked the extra cash, but currently filing the taxes on it is too much.
Most old folks don't want to "REFORMAT" "START OVER", they worry about that may cause data loss.
Save it all they say.
Most of the time I can do just that, but if I am spending time more than 4 hours I usaully ask them to give me the machine so I can have it run in the background.
Still some insist I work it there.
I am a higher level IT/IS guy, people in the our company ask me to troubleshoot their problems because I know what I am doing and the GeekSquad types are asking 3 digits to just start the ball rolling.
In the past I liked the extra cash, but currently filing the taxes on it is too much.
Personally, for me, a reformat and reinstall makes a lot of sense for most people. The reason I say that is that the majority of computer's that I've worked on don't have a lot of updates, no anti-virus/anti-malware program, maybe no firewall, and the person using it has been doing things like downloading music, visiting questionnable sites, and using generally poor judgment, and so there is a very good chance that no amount of repair will totally solve their problems. Oh, and these are on Dell or other namebrand systems that were purchased a couple of years ago, and have never had a reinstall.
I agree that you could fix them, but in my experience it is just much better to start from scratch.
I agree that you could fix them, but in my experience it is just much better to start from scratch.
Originally posted by: halik
Originally posted by: SunnyD
4 hours of work getting the thing cleaned up to the point it was even usable.
The machine would hang on an ipconfig for god's sake. So after 4 hours and getting it usable (among other things), I basically said at the very least, delete AOL (they don't need it, they're on cable), and I suggested backing up all the family pics and other data, and wiping the machine to start from scratch.
Needless to say, the family is eating out tonight.
edit - I should clarify, I suggested from the get-go that it would probably be more time efficient to wipe and start over. The client wanted the machine to work for the time being for various reasons, including to be able to back up data prior to such a measure.
4x50 = 200... you can get a new computer for that much
Exactly. I bet their computer was worth less than the service rendered...
DainBramaged
Lifer
- Jun 19, 2003
- 23,454
- 41
- 91
it's not how you fix it, but THAT you fix it in msot cases.
in many cases, fixing it isntead of formatting is a waste of everyone's time.
I think we're doing turkey casserole tonight.
In all fairness, the blame wasn't based squarely with AOL's software but rather the client's wife's USE of the AOL software. The AOL security features were constantly removing the client's business software and rendering it inoperable (in order to use it, he would have to reinstall it, each time!). The other half was lack of computer/internet eduction on their parts.
As I edited the original post - after the initial 15 minutes, a full wipe/system restore was recommended, however at the time it was not an option due to backup reasons. The client wanted the system working to the point where he could get in, get it networked up, and be able to back everything up.
Oh, I did forget to mention, after several free phone support calls to me, several system rollbacks (over 1 month rollback) did not help either.
Get over it.
- Oct 28, 1999
- 62,484
- 8,345
- 126
I just can not tolerate any ISP that requires you to install software in order to connect.
AOL
Juno
MSN Explorer
Ect
You should need nothing more than a simple web browser and a dial up modem to get a dial up internet connection functioning.
In the past versions of AOL, it has with reason, earned the despised reputation that it did. It installed it's own version of Dial up adapters. It DID monkey around with the IP configuration. It did mess things up. Without failure, any time somebody tried setting up a new ISP and they had problems, it was becasue AOL had been used previously.
The newer versions are better.
I do browser support over the phone for a living. I cringe whenever I get a call in from somebody that uses AOL. Just getting them to minimize the AOL software and opening up IE is a huge hastle. The software just has some major compatibility issues with many applications and websites.
AOL
Juno
MSN Explorer
Ect
You should need nothing more than a simple web browser and a dial up modem to get a dial up internet connection functioning.
In the past versions of AOL, it has with reason, earned the despised reputation that it did. It installed it's own version of Dial up adapters. It DID monkey around with the IP configuration. It did mess things up. Without failure, any time somebody tried setting up a new ISP and they had problems, it was becasue AOL had been used previously.
The newer versions are better.
I do browser support over the phone for a living. I cringe whenever I get a call in from somebody that uses AOL. Just getting them to minimize the AOL software and opening up IE is a huge hastle. The software just has some major compatibility issues with many applications and websites.
- Oct 28, 1999
- 62,484
- 8,345
- 126
The reformat thing is kind of hot issue. It really depends on the situation and just how bad things are fsckhammered.
I've done enough jobs to know if something is worth saving or not. When I walk in and the thing has 7 different types file sharing apps, exception errors blowing up all over the place and an adaware scan that shows up over 1000 items (not including cookies), I'm not going to hestitate to consider a format.
It's just a question of what is the best for the client. Yes, I can take 4 hours to clean the thing up and *maybe* get it working 90% of the time.
Or, I can take 2 hours to reformat and have it working 100% when I'm done and it'll run quicker as well.
Last month I did just that. A guy had two different "computer techs" come over to his house, dick around with the machine for 4 or 5 hours a piece, refused to reformat the machine claiming they could get it working. Neither of them did.
Guy gave me a call, told him to drop it off at my place and I'll have it done in two hours. Just as I said, had it done in under two hours and working after the format. As a bonus to him I also threw it on my cable connection and brought him up to date with all service packs and security options. Something that he didn't want to bother doing over his dial up connection.
Clients come before your tech ego.
I've done enough jobs to know if something is worth saving or not. When I walk in and the thing has 7 different types file sharing apps, exception errors blowing up all over the place and an adaware scan that shows up over 1000 items (not including cookies), I'm not going to hestitate to consider a format.
It's just a question of what is the best for the client. Yes, I can take 4 hours to clean the thing up and *maybe* get it working 90% of the time.
Or, I can take 2 hours to reformat and have it working 100% when I'm done and it'll run quicker as well.
Last month I did just that. A guy had two different "computer techs" come over to his house, dick around with the machine for 4 or 5 hours a piece, refused to reformat the machine claiming they could get it working. Neither of them did.
Guy gave me a call, told him to drop it off at my place and I'll have it done in two hours. Just as I said, had it done in under two hours and working after the format. As a bonus to him I also threw it on my cable connection and brought him up to date with all service packs and security options. Something that he didn't want to bother doing over his dial up connection.
Clients come before your tech ego.
In tourist traps you can make more at fast food places, like the Wisconsin Dells. If you get tipped, then you can make a lot of money.
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