You guys ever charge for tech support? Like from people at work?

[Ghost]

I generally tell people no.

If I was to do it, I'd tell them $40.00 per hour to discourage them.

I've had several people over the years ask for help at home. It seems like for most of them, when they've gotten to the point where they want a "tech" to look at the problem, the problem has become nightmarish.

People often don't know about backing up data.
People often don't have current anti-virus software running.
People often don't have the drivers or software disks to re-install if it comes to that...
Even if you charge $20.00 per hour, and do a back up and fresh install and get everything working fine, people seem reluctant to pay you...

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: dquan97

Originally posted by: Electric Amish

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo

Originally posted by: Silverbullet28

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo EA. Deleting partitions and fresh install is not the correct way to "update" Winduh OS, it's teh n00b way.

If a fresh install is a "n00b" way of going about upgrading an OS, how would your "l33t" method work? I agree with EA btw. 🙂

Try to update a network of 140 computers by your "1337" method, then come back and tell me how it goes.

Duh! We're talking about a single computer here.

In an enterprise setting you'd handle it in a completely different manner.

like using an image file from a cd?

If you need individual lisences on each computer then you'd do an automated install with an answer file. If you simply have a corporate lisence for so many computer, I think the most efficient way would be to install on one machine, then mirror the hard drive to all the others over the network.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Ghost
I generally tell people no.

If I was to do it, I'd tell them $40.00 per hour to discourage them.

I've had several people over the years ask for help at home. It seems like for most of them, when they've gotten to the point where they want a "tech" to look at the problem, the problem has become nightmarish.

People often don't know about backing up data.
People often don't have current anti-virus software running.
People often don't have the drivers or software disks to re-install if it comes to that...
Even if you charge $20.00 per hour, and do a back up and fresh install and get everything working fine, people seem reluctant to pay you...

That's why you take it off site where they can't see that 90% of what you're doing is sitting there and waiting for it to finish something so you can click ok or next.

 

[saxophonoia]

I usually don't mind doing it but I let them give me a number for how much they'll give me first and then I go from there. I just helped an older lady back up data from her old pc and put it on a new one which took longer than i expected because the old one had no network card so i had to put a cd burner on it to get her data. The good thing is that she's an accountant here and offered to do my taxes for free. Always a plus to get money along with something else intangible!

 

[Nocturnal]

I came to the conclusion last night to not do things for free. This guy wanted me to install his Nextel Motorola i95 housing for a dinner. I ended up leaving without him knowing just because I'd rather not even bother. I know for a fact, if I had asked him to DJ a party for a dinner that he would outright say NO WAY. So I said NO WAY as well.

 

[virtuamike]

For friends, I get them to liquor me up. For strangers, I charge $50 on up depending on the job.

 

[Nitemare]

Only time I ever worked on a co-workers computer was installing a hard drive. I also, moved all their data off from their old hard drive and installed some new software. They paid me 40 bucks even though I did not ask for anything

 

[GoingUp]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish

Originally posted by: TommyVercetti
Ok so what would be the best way to upgrade to Windows 2000 from Windows 95/98. Just pop the CD in and let it upgrade? I have only done it once, and didn't notice any lost files or anything

No!

I'd backup the data first.

Then boot from the Win2k cd and completely delete the partitions and recreate/reformat.

IMO, that's the correct way to upgrade.

Correct

 

[lokiju]

I work on PC's pretty much everyday and have for the past 7+ years. When I have the time and ability I will always do a fresh install, however there are situations that do not allow, such as no way of doing a data backup, in this case you just gotta cross your fingers and do an upgrade. I have yet to run into an issue of upgrading from 9x to 2000 or XP but have in the past many of times upgrading a 95 or 98 to 98 second edition.

Just my 2 cents, hope its helpful.

I agree with EA on this one.

 

[TommyVercetti]

Here is the deal now, the person is buying Windows XP Home and I am going to install that. I am only charging $50 though. So the whole thing is going to cost that person around $160.

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: TommyVercetti
Here is the deal now, the person is buying Windows XP Home and I am going to install that. I am only charging $50 though. So the whole thing is going to cost that person around $160.

In this case just do an upgrade, pop in the CD and let it go, just give them a disclaimer ahead of time that if all goes wrong their data will be lost.

 

[TommyVercetti]

Originally posted by: blazert40

Originally posted by: TommyVercetti
Here is the deal now, the person is buying Windows XP Home and I am going to install that. I am only charging $50 though. So the whole thing is going to cost that person around $160.

In this case just do an upgrade, pop in the CD and let it go, just give them a disclaimer ahead of time that if all goes wrong their data will be lost.

Thanks, will do. I was considering taking a small hard drive and seeing if I could just back up the important documents.

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: TommyVercetti

Originally posted by: blazert40

Originally posted by: TommyVercetti
Here is the deal now, the person is buying Windows XP Home and I am going to install that. I am only charging $50 though. So the whole thing is going to cost that person around $160.

In this case just do an upgrade, pop in the CD and let it go, just give them a disclaimer ahead of time that if all goes wrong their data will be lost.

Thanks, will do. I was considering taking a small hard drive and seeing if I could just back up the important documents.

Would for sure be recommended if you could, good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[Askalon]

I still haven't learned. I just moved three months ago and already rebuilt my neighbors machine and a co-workers. Granted the co-worker bought me a gamecube (still not sure if it was worth it). The neighbor I didn't charge.


I just can't say no to playing with computers.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Askalon
I still haven't learned. I just moved three months ago and already rebuilt my neighbors machine and a co-workers. Granted the co-worker bought me a gamecube (still not sure if it was worth it). The neighbor I didn't charge.


I just can't say no to playing with computers.

I have that problem too... I don't have enough money to play as much as I'd like, so when someone else is paying, I usually don't pass up the opportunity 😀

 

[Gravity]

Nice prices. I have been building systems for $50. I do it as a hobby. I have built about 15 this year.

Lesson learnt: Don't build one for father in-law, computer newbie. He didn't run the modem through a surge protector and it got fried, killed the MB too. Had to ship him a new MB on my dime (beause wifey said so)

Charging is good. They need your expertise. Yea, it's a hobby, but you'll pay for it, huh?

 

[PanzerIV]

I had a neighbor who's uncle had a computer problem. Knowing that I do this as a living they asked me to look at it, naturally. It looked to be a bad mobo and I explained the pros and cons of replacing it on their old computer or just having me build another one considering it's age and the cost of parts and labor.

I did this for free because it was the holidays and my son's best friend lives there. The uncle took the computer back and the next thing I know they go out and get another one. The funny part is they had a problem with that one too and had the nerve to ask for my help again. Yeah, you got me too look at your old one and diagnose the problem for FREE, go and get another one from somewhere else and I am going to help you again for a lifetime of free tech support. Hell no. I told them to call whoever they got it from.

I help a lot of people for free but that's just plain taking advantage of the situation.

 

[rmrf]

I charge, and have a policy of not doing phone support. If it's over the phone, it's free. If I have to show up, you're gonna pay. usually I just tell the people to pay whatever they would have payed the geek squad to come out and do it. the smallest amount I got was a $20 bill, I was only at the house for 10 minutes anyways. I always charge for repeat business, unless whatever broke was my fault.