Fixing PCs

mame · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:15

Not going to type the full story here as it's one many of you will have heard yourself but why do people think it's ok to offer your services to fix their mates PC? someone you don't even know. And then get slightly arsey when you don't rush round there on the designated night that had been arranged in your absence becasue you have other plans?

GGGGrrrrrr

markweatherill · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:16

Because it's your 'hobby' and they're doing you a big favour!!

stokecity_m · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:16

i'll only ever fix anyones pc if they bring it to me

Then i say i'll get it back to them within a couple of days.

Burnsy2023 · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:17

I simply don't do it any more. It's not worth the hassle.

randal · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:17

All it takes is a gentle reminder, you're doing them a favour. Reiterate that

All else fails, demand they come round and cut your grass then cop the ump when they don't show up.

asim18 · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:18

The other day, someone from school who I hadn't seen in over 2 years decided to land on my doorstep at 8:30AM with his broken laptop asking me to fix it.

8:30AM ?? In Summer Holidays?? WTF!?

Dark_Angel · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:19

Burnsy2023 said:
I simply don't do it any more. It's not worth the hassle.

To be honest this.

I used to always try to help people... now I don't. To many issues, if something goes wrong you end up going back round and so on.

loltim · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:20

Burnsy2023 said:
I simply don't do it any more. It's not worth the hassle.

Yep. The last one I sorted was just riddled with virus's and spyware. It took 3hrs to scan the HD because it was a really old 13gb Western Digital jobby.

Never again.

memyselfandi · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:22

Burnsy2023 said:
I simply don't do it any more. It's not worth the hassle.

Yep this. I have a few people (including immediate family) who I will provide advice too but most of them are already highly technically literate and they all know that I will not look at machines for anyone else.

brummie · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:27

Hardware i'll sort but try to avoid software at all costs.

denyerec · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:38

I have had it in the past where their "Urgent Problem" is so urgent, it eclipses whatever else you might have planned for the day. Bloody annoying when they accuse you of being selfish because you didn't schedule their emergency into your day!

Dark_Angel · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:42

Worst I have had is suddenly someone has no sound. Their volume (system tray) was muted...

If you don't know about PC's then I don't mind so much... and will help good friends, but I find if you keep helping some people out then they are less careful because they feel as though they have a safety net.

PaulyD · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:47

Tim said:
Yep. The last one I sorted was just riddled with virus's and spyware. It took 3hrs to scan the HD because it was a really old 13gb Western Digital jobby.

Never again.

Had the exact same, left it running for them after two hours of watching the screenas had gone straight round there after work, only family i help now and most of them are pretty good

Kennysevenfold · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:49

stokecity_m said:
i'll only ever fix anyones pc if they bring it to me

Raumarik · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:53

I fix my parents PC and laptop, my fiancee's laptop and my own. I will at a push look at my brothers or my very best mates PC but only his!

That's as far as it goes, don't do extended family, friends etc at any time. Had too much hassle in the past doing homers for people.

gillywibble · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:55

I don't mind doing it. There will always come a time when a favour needs returning.

G J · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:56

A slighty related thread that you might find intresting from not too long ago.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17994987

Wyrdo · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:58

Burnsy2023 said:
I simply don't do it any more. It's not worth the hassle.

Same here, I still get asked these days but just say no. The only people who's PCs I'll look at these days are my immediate family. I spend all day fixing the bloody things, I don't really want to spend my free time doing it too.

V4NT0M · 22 Jul 2009 at 19:00

It's starting to happen less and less thank god, will still fix family/friends pcs as long as they bring it to me or me to it.

I usually at least get food out of the deal.

Duke · 22 Jul 2009 at 19:00

Unless you want to get walked over all the time, just charge the going rate for repairs and do it within a couple of days. If you don't want to fix them, just recommend a local company you know.