Confessions of a computer repairman
 

Adrian C wrote:
Oh no, not me :-)

An article published in PC PRO caught my eye last month.

Probably worth a gander if ye or someone else is thinking of sticking
a pin in Yellow Pages for a PC service, or following up a dodgy fly
poster stuck to a lamp-post showing a mobile number ...


http://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/367345/confessions-of-a-computer-repairman

A quick summary of cowboy efforts described in that ...

* Here today, gone tomorrow - they run off with your PC,
* The “beyond repair” bluff - offer a silly scrappage value,
* The memory game - don't install the memory as promised,
* The hostage situation - a ransom to return the PC,
* The blank screen of opportunity - non required parts,
* Virus cold-callers - remote access extortion,
* Hot-Kit shuffle - pinching internal expensive parts,
* The snoop patrol - pinching customers data,
* Phantom repairs - made up issues resolved at cost,
* The price gouge - extreme overcharging,
* The Windows wiper - reinstalling windows and data gone,
* The Insurance fiddle - falsified claims for replacement kit,
* Business shortcuts - shoddy work,
* The untrained expert - bodgers without skills,
* License-key lifting - user now denied software updates.

In the words of Shaw Taylor, "Keep 'em peeled!"

ISTM that computers are now becoming so ridiculously cheap that it is barely
worth bothering with trying to get one repaired...

--
Kev

Confessions of a computer repairman
 

On 07/06/2011 11:47, Ret. wrote:


ISTM that computers are now becoming so ridiculously cheap that it is
barely worth bothering with trying to get one repaired...


Ain't that the truth....

I'd been suffering from system 'lock-ups' here on this XOP / Dell box.
Had some good suggestions on here (thanks folks!) -
and enlisted the help of the local Dell subcontract 'fixit-fella'.

Have changed....
the ram (twice!)
the hard disk (cloned)
run various checks and tests
all the usual updates
anti-spyware / malware software


Til ..... eventually..... after all this time and Googling in
desperation late at night....

....I discovered an updated driver for the ATI Radeon pro 2400 video card
driver - which seems to have solved the lock-up problems (over a
fortnight running 24/7 now with no repeat of the lock-ups) - and doing
the same things that used to break it.

Based on an hourly rate, I could have bought a couple of new PCs for the
price! - but where's the satisfaction in that? g

Adrian

Confessions of a computer repairman
 

On Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:29:15 +0100, Adrian Brentnall
wrote:

On 07/06/2011 11:47, Ret. wrote:


ISTM that computers are now becoming so ridiculously cheap that it is
barely worth bothering with trying to get one repaired...


Ain't that the truth....

I'd been suffering from system 'lock-ups' here on this XOP / Dell box.
Had some good suggestions on here (thanks folks!) -
and enlisted the help of the local Dell subcontract 'fixit-fella'.

Have changed....
the ram (twice!)
the hard disk (cloned)
run various checks and tests
all the usual updates
anti-spyware / malware software


Til ..... eventually..... after all this time and Googling in
desperation late at night....

...I discovered an updated driver for the ATI Radeon pro 2400 video card
driver - which seems to have solved the lock-up problems (over a
fortnight running 24/7 now with no repeat of the lock-ups) - and doing
the same things that used to break it.

Based on an hourly rate, I could have bought a couple of new PCs for the
price! - but where's the satisfaction in that? g

Adrian

Yes, but the 2 new PC's that you bought for the price may also have issues
like their vga drivers need updating too.

New PC's are usually built by using a hard disc image containing all the
necessary operating system files, device drivers and trial applications.
From this point onwards the PC will enter the supply chain and it will in
all likelihood be several months before that PC gets to the end user.

When the end does get the PC there will be umpteen updates to be installed
for Operating System, device drivers, Adobe reader, flash player,
Anti-virus etc ...

You'll also need to get your personal files, email account(s) settings,
printer / scanner drivers & programs transferred / installed.
Installing a new PC and getting it how the user wants it can easily be the
best part of a days work, maybe more.

Confessions of a computer repairman
 

On 07/06/2011 12:43, (((° wrote:
On Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:29:15 +0100, Adrian Brentnall
wrote:

On 07/06/2011 11:47, Ret. wrote:


ISTM that computers are now becoming so ridiculously cheap that it is
barely worth bothering with trying to get one repaired...


Ain't that the truth....

I'd been suffering from system 'lock-ups' here on this XOP / Dell box.
Had some good suggestions on here (thanks folks!) -
and enlisted the help of the local Dell subcontract 'fixit-fella'.

Have changed....
the ram (twice!)
the hard disk (cloned)
run various checks and tests
all the usual updates
anti-spyware / malware software


Til ..... eventually..... after all this time and Googling in
desperation late at night....

...I discovered an updated driver for the ATI Radeon pro 2400 video
card driver - which seems to have solved the lock-up problems (over a
fortnight running 24/7 now with no repeat of the lock-ups) - and doing
the same things that used to break it.

Based on an hourly rate, I could have bought a couple of new PCs for
the price! - but where's the satisfaction in that? g

Adrian

Yes, but the 2 new PC's that you bought for the price may also have
issues like their vga drivers need updating too.

Understood - my comment was a little bit tongue-in-cheek....


New PC's are usually built by using a hard disc image containing all the
necessary operating system files, device drivers and trial applications.
From this point onwards the PC will enter the supply chain and it will
in all likelihood be several months before that PC gets to the end user.

When the end does get the PC there will be umpteen updates to be
installed for Operating System, device drivers, Adobe reader, flash
player, Anti-virus etc ...

Yup - been there!


You'll also need to get your personal files, email account(s) settings,
printer / scanner drivers & programs transferred / installed.
Installing a new PC and getting it how the user wants it can easily be
the best part of a days work, maybe more.

Yes - that's precisely what I was trying to avoid....

Adrian

Confessions of a computer repairman
 

On 6/7/2011 11:29 PM, Adrian Brentnall wrote:
On 07/06/2011 11:47, Ret. wrote:


ISTM that computers are now becoming so ridiculously cheap that it is
barely worth bothering with trying to get one repaired...


Ain't that the truth....

I'd been suffering from system 'lock-ups' here on this XOP / Dell box.
Had some good suggestions on here (thanks folks!) -
and enlisted the help of the local Dell subcontract 'fixit-fella'.

Have changed....
the ram (twice!)
the hard disk (cloned)
run various checks and tests
all the usual updates
anti-spyware / malware software

After reading this far, I thought of suggesting that you check for
software upgrades. I then saw that this is what you did next.
I was having blue-screen problems with my recently-purchased ASUS m/b
Windows 7 machine. After some screwing around swapping memory sticks
between slots, like you I went online and found the latest software for
the m/b, video card and a couple of other things. I'm pretty sure it
was the ASUS m/b ROM upgrade that fixed it.

Confessions of a computer repairman
 

On 08/06/2011 06:11, Gib Bogle wrote:
On 6/7/2011 11:29 PM, Adrian Brentnall wrote:
On 07/06/2011 11:47, Ret. wrote:


ISTM that computers are now becoming so ridiculously cheap that it is
barely worth bothering with trying to get one repaired...


Ain't that the truth....

I'd been suffering from system 'lock-ups' here on this XOP / Dell box.
Had some good suggestions on here (thanks folks!) -
and enlisted the help of the local Dell subcontract 'fixit-fella'.

Have changed....
the ram (twice!)
the hard disk (cloned)
run various checks and tests
all the usual updates
anti-spyware / malware software

After reading this far, I thought of suggesting that you check for
software upgrades. I then saw that this is what you did next.
I was having blue-screen problems with my recently-purchased ASUS m/b
Windows 7 machine. After some screwing around swapping memory sticks
between slots, like you I went online and found the latest software for
the m/b, video card and a couple of other things. I'm pretty sure it was
the ASUS m/b ROM upgrade that fixed it.

g - funny how it's always the last thing you think of that fixes it!
Should have thought 'video drivers' sooner - but, in my defence, when
the problem started the ATI upgrade wasn't available (dated February, I
think).

All looking good so far...... (icebergs - what icebergs?!)

Thanks
Adrian

Confessions of a computer repairman
 

"Gib Bogle" wrote in message
...
On 6/7/2011 11:29 PM, Adrian Brentnall wrote:
On 07/06/2011 11:47, Ret. wrote:


ISTM that computers are now becoming so ridiculously cheap that it is
barely worth bothering with trying to get one repaired...


Ain't that the truth....

I'd been suffering from system 'lock-ups' here on this XOP / Dell box.
Had some good suggestions on here (thanks folks!) -
and enlisted the help of the local Dell subcontract 'fixit-fella'.

Have changed....
the ram (twice!)
the hard disk (cloned)
run various checks and tests
all the usual updates
anti-spyware / malware software

After reading this far, I thought of suggesting that you check for
software upgrades. I then saw that this is what you did next.
I was having blue-screen problems with my recently-purchased ASUS m/b
Windows 7 machine. After some screwing around swapping memory sticks
between slots, like you I went online and found the latest software for
the m/b, video card and a couple of other things. I'm pretty sure it was
the ASUS m/b ROM upgrade that fixed it.

I helped someone fix a driver problem on a brand new PC world machine.
His accounts package would crash until I updated the driver that was
preinstalled.

Fine you think..

two days later he says its broken again.

It turns out that he decided the machine was faulty when he bought it and
had taken it back and complained until they exchanged it for a new one..
complete with the duff driver!!

Confessions of a computer repairman
 

On 08/06/2011 09:33, dennis@home wrote:


"Gib Bogle" wrote in message
...
On 6/7/2011 11:29 PM, Adrian Brentnall wrote:
On 07/06/2011 11:47, Ret. wrote:


ISTM that computers are now becoming so ridiculously cheap that it is
barely worth bothering with trying to get one repaired...


Ain't that the truth....

I'd been suffering from system 'lock-ups' here on this XOP / Dell box.
Had some good suggestions on here (thanks folks!) -
and enlisted the help of the local Dell subcontract 'fixit-fella'.

Have changed....
the ram (twice!)
the hard disk (cloned)
run various checks and tests
all the usual updates
anti-spyware / malware software

After reading this far, I thought of suggesting that you check for
software upgrades. I then saw that this is what you did next.
I was having blue-screen problems with my recently-purchased ASUS m/b
Windows 7 machine. After some screwing around swapping memory sticks
between slots, like you I went online and found the latest software
for the m/b, video card and a couple of other things. I'm pretty sure
it was the ASUS m/b ROM upgrade that fixed it.

I helped someone fix a driver problem on a brand new PC world machine.
His accounts package would crash until I updated the driver that was
preinstalled.

Fine you think..

two days later he says its broken again.

It turns out that he decided the machine was faulty when he bought it
and had taken it back and complained until they exchanged it for a new
one.. complete with the duff driver!!

Why don't people seek advice *before* they go to the bloody shop?

Confessions of a computer repairman
 

On Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:43:57 +0100, (((°
wrote:

On Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:29:15 +0100, Adrian Brentnall
wrote:

On 07/06/2011 11:47, Ret. wrote:


ISTM that computers are now becoming so ridiculously cheap that it is
barely worth bothering with trying to get one repaired...


Ain't that the truth....

I'd been suffering from system 'lock-ups' here on this XOP / Dell box.
Had some good suggestions on here (thanks folks!) -
and enlisted the help of the local Dell subcontract 'fixit-fella'.

Have changed....
the ram (twice!)
the hard disk (cloned)
run various checks and tests
all the usual updates
anti-spyware / malware software


Til ..... eventually..... after all this time and Googling in
desperation late at night....

...I discovered an updated driver for the ATI Radeon pro 2400 video card
driver - which seems to have solved the lock-up problems (over a
fortnight running 24/7 now with no repeat of the lock-ups) - and doing
the same things that used to break it.

Based on an hourly rate, I could have bought a couple of new PCs for the
price! - but where's the satisfaction in that? g

Adrian

Yes, but the 2 new PC's that you bought for the price may also have issues
like their vga drivers need updating too.

New PC's are usually built by using a hard disc image containing all the
necessary operating system files, device drivers and trial applications.
From this point onwards the PC will enter the supply chain and it will in
all likelihood be several months before that PC gets to the end user.

When the end does get the PC there will be umpteen updates to be installed
for Operating System, device drivers, Adobe reader, flash player,
Anti-virus etc ...

You'll also need to get your personal files, email account(s) settings,
printer / scanner drivers & programs transferred / installed.
Installing a new PC and getting it how the user wants it can easily be the
best part of a days work, maybe more.

I'd say a lot more than a day's work.
--
(\__/) M.
(='.'=) Due to the amount of spam posted via googlegroups and
(")_(") their inaction to the problem. I am blocking some articles
posted from there. If you wish your postings to be seen by
everyone you will need use a different method of posting.

Confessions of a computer repairman
 

On Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:08:16 +0100, stuart noble
wrote:


Why don't people seek advice *before* they go to the bloody shop?

Because they assume that someone in PC World knows what they're doing?
Like telling a neighbour that he had to have a gigabit ethernet card
in his new computer (in his first floor study) so that he could
connect to his wireless router (near his ground floor telephone
socket) and tried to upgrade him to a PS/2 keyboard from USB (the PC
had no PS/2 socket).

Confessions of a computer repairman
 

On Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:11:34 +1200, Gib Bogle
wrote:

On 6/7/2011 11:29 PM, Adrian Brentnall wrote:
On 07/06/2011 11:47, Ret. wrote:


ISTM that computers are now becoming so ridiculously cheap that it is
barely worth bothering with trying to get one repaired...


Ain't that the truth....

I'd been suffering from system 'lock-ups' here on this XOP / Dell box.
Had some good suggestions on here (thanks folks!) -
and enlisted the help of the local Dell subcontract 'fixit-fella'.

Have changed....
the ram (twice!)
the hard disk (cloned)
run various checks and tests
all the usual updates
anti-spyware / malware software

After reading this far, I thought of suggesting that you check for
software upgrades. I then saw that this is what you did next.
I was having blue-screen problems with my recently-purchased ASUS m/b
Windows 7 machine. After some screwing around swapping memory sticks
between slots, like you I went online and found the latest software for
the m/b, video card and a couple of other things. I'm pretty sure it
was the ASUS m/b ROM upgrade that fixed it.

Mine was running stable as anything for ages, until (I suspect) a
Windows Update hosed it.

It doesn't yet crash often enough for me to be arsed to go collect and
install either the original drivers or updates from Gigabyte, but I'm
gradually accumulating the required circular tuits. OTOH it's coming
up on time to blat and reinstall from scratch which I tend to do about
annually, IME this saves time over fettling and failing a few times.