Recommendations for computer repairs

Innovation never actually explained the “virus” problem, nor the extent of their technical abilities.

Linux may not be for them.

If they need security but with top support and usability I’d suggest a trip to the Apple Store and see if that is for them. You can play all you want before you buy, and the after sales service is unmatched.

Personally, I’d say ditch windows and install Linux (Ubuntu/RedHat/Debian – take your pick) and be virus free forever! But hey, I’m a geek…

rubaiyat said :

Do you have an annual subscription service where you maintain a computer?

Not officially…. We do offer a service to clean, backup, and optimise computers starting from $175, and from there we can also quote any hardware that needs to be replaced, purchased or configured. That would be your best bet for a yearly checkup. We can ensure your backups are being recorded to the portable hard drive successfully, ensure nothing nasty has snuck in since our last visit (You’d be surprised how much junk software the virus scanners don’t pick up).

Anyways, I’m wary of putting up my workplace online in the public domain, but I’ll share my personal email address aus.bradr at gmail dot com (you’lll have to enter it correctly, I’ve intentionally broken that email address up to stop spam harvesters from automatically signing my email up for junk mail). Email me, and from there, I can share with you details of who I work for, and what we can do for you. 🙂

Do you have an annual subscription service where you maintain a computer?

rubaiyat said :

ausbradr said :

You shouldn’t pay more than about $200 to have all your important stuff backed up, your computer cleaned out completely, put back to factory standard, then all your documents/music/stuff put back on it.

I do IT contracting around the ACT, and we could possibly quote you up based on what sort of PC you have, how much data, and whether you have discs that came with the PC (because we can’t just pirate windows and office if you’ve had it before hahaha).

Is there a way to PM members here? Whilst we’re quite busy this week, I can give you details of my company and we help you out. If there’s no PM feature, perhaps leave an email address?

How often do you think this service should be done?

That’s a very subjective question…. I do tech visits for a major ISP who offers tech services in the client’s home and I’ve seen mixed results. Some customers are great, you clean / secure their computer, and you’ll probably never see the again or see their name come up in your cases.

Others, not so much, they’ll keep visiting the dark alleys of the internet, and contracting viruses on their computer.

Typically the way I work, is I’ll set you up so that you’ll never need to see us unless something’s physically broken or you need to replace your computer, so long as you follow our instructions (do backups, buy backup drives), follow a cheatsheet for restoring your system. Get a virus? No problem, just restore to your last week’s backup as you’ve faithfully done. Yes, it’s a little costly in time and money, but it pays for itself, if you’re using the computer to run a business and make an income, as most people tend to do these days.

ausbradr said :

You shouldn’t pay more than about $200 to have all your important stuff backed up, your computer cleaned out completely, put back to factory standard, then all your documents/music/stuff put back on it.

I do IT contracting around the ACT, and we could possibly quote you up based on what sort of PC you have, how much data, and whether you have discs that came with the PC (because we can’t just pirate windows and office if you’ve had it before hahaha).

Is there a way to PM members here? Whilst we’re quite busy this week, I can give you details of my company and we help you out. If there’s no PM feature, perhaps leave an email address?

How often do you think this service should be done?

You shouldn’t pay more than about $200 to have all your important stuff backed up, your computer cleaned out completely, put back to factory standard, then all your documents/music/stuff put back on it.

I do IT contracting around the ACT, and we could possibly quote you up based on what sort of PC you have, how much data, and whether you have discs that came with the PC (because we can’t just pirate windows and office if you’ve had it before hahaha).

Is there a way to PM members here? Whilst we’re quite busy this week, I can give you details of my company and we help you out. If there’s no PM feature, perhaps leave an email address?

Since I have never had to pay for this service, can someone who has, let us know what it costs?

Without hesitation I recommend help from Haibo
http://aitrilogy.com.au/

ACC Computers in Dickson is always good and effective and doesn’t charge stupid amounts

James Tulk
0401 718 937
jamest@jimscomputerservices.com.au

or DIY – https://www.reddit.com/r/TronScript/comments/2zphmn/tron_v502_20150320_flash_update_subtool_updates/

And yes Morella is right.

It may not be a virus. Good chance you do have them if on a PC but it could also be something else.

What makes you think it is a virus? What are the symptoms?

This is not a PC support site, there are many others that can help. I work on one myself, better to see what you can do yourself, “repairers” are bit like car mechanics. I’ve heard some of the most bizarre self serving rubbish from, and about a few.

Ah the problems of PC users (that they always say never exists)!

A virus attack should not be the cause of trashing your computer. Although it certainly is tempting.

Simple measures will be to backup all your files to an external hard drive then totally erase the drive in your computer. Then reinstall from a clean version of whatever Operating System you are using. If it is Windows do it from an official purchased copy, even though that is really jumping back into the fire.

Once reinstalled, return your files from your backup and install a full anti-virus package and keep it up to-date. Remove Internet Explorer and use Firefox or Google Chrome. Also avoid Microsoft products like Office if at all possible, they can transmit viruses in their macros.

Avoid the nasty websites that are the source of most of the problems. Firefox and Google Chrome may warn you if you hit one trying to attack your computer.

To really escape from the problem, which will probably reoccur with Windows, consider installing Linux as an alternative to Windows, or if you really want to avoid the problem completely without having to put up with Linux, get a Mac, there is a reason they are so popular.

Bruce Yao at Home Computer, Mawson. His service and charges are good value.
Easy, free parking, in his driveway.

“I may yet bin the computer and buy a new one.”

Seems a bit extreme, unless the computer is so old you want to update.

The worst that will happen with your infected computer (assuming it really is a virus) is you’ll have to format the hard drive and start again by re-installing everything. The easiest way to do that is to buy a new hard drive and then copy the wanted data files off the old infected one. DO NOT run any programs from the old hard drive, you’ll just re-infect everything.

I couldn’t speak to actual computer shops, but do you maybe know some young whipper-snapper with good computer knowledge? See if they’ll have a look at it and throw them a fifty. Likely it would be a case of them running some scans on and off over the course of a day or so while they do other things.
How do you know it’s a virus? In the minds of those who are unable to do their own computer repairs, “virus” seems to be the go to explanation for “it’s not working right and I don’t know why.”