re-formating computers

euro_scene · 7 Jan 2010 at 20:32

for past month I have re-formated 3 of my mates computers. I havn't charged them.

Maybe I could start doing this for abit of extra cash.. maybe advertise?

Anyone else doing for for abit of pocket money?

Raumarik · 7 Jan 2010 at 20:37

Use to, if it gets too busy then I suggest charging, it's amazing how quickly people learn things when it's no longer free and requires no effort from them other than picking up the phone.

Family I will help free, best mates too but the rest have to put their hand in their pocket if they want me to go near their PC. I do it all day, I'd rather spend the evening with the wife!

SexyGreyFox · 7 Jan 2010 at 20:37

You want to charge money for re-formatting a computer (HD) :eek:

format c:\

sniffy · 7 Jan 2010 at 20:40

My mate got charged £40 by some locksmith for 1 minutes worth of work. If you can charge then do it!

Azagoth · 7 Jan 2010 at 20:41

euro_scene said:
for past month I have re-formated 3 of my mates computers. I havn't charged them.

Maybe I could start doing this for abit of extra cash.. maybe advertise?

Anyone else doing for for abit of pocket money?

Are your mates a tad slow, you know, mentally?

Richie · 7 Jan 2010 at 20:42

Probably means re-installing windows etc.... If it was me and I was gonna charge mates then it would be in beer, not cash but then I am an alky bar-steward

sniffy · 7 Jan 2010 at 20:44

Well yeah I wouldn't charge mates for that...Mate's of mates etc I would.

SexyGreyFox · 7 Jan 2010 at 20:53

What worries me is that is that in one month he has formatted 3 mates computers where in 21 years I have formatted 3 mates computers.
I like to sit down and work myself through the problem before the inevitable happens.
Too many people think that a 'fix' is to format a computer.

I_M_Weasel · 7 Jan 2010 at 21:33

A format can be the most efficent option. If there's no important unbacked up data just start over.

Tefal · 7 Jan 2010 at 21:36

yeah.

tbh i find it easier to reformat and reinstall windows than to try and diagnose/fix a software problem half the time

anything of importance is already backed up

Dutchman · 7 Jan 2010 at 21:51

Tefal said:
tbh i find it easier to reformat and reinstall windows than to try and diagnose/fix a software problem half the time

+1, even more so when you have no idea how the PC got into that state and the excuse is " I was just surfing google and I wasn't doing anything dodgy !"

dan7777 · 7 Jan 2010 at 21:53

i have been doing the same and now charge people and earn abit of money on the side for doing it including fixing there pc too.

J.B · 7 Jan 2010 at 22:16

dmpoole said:
What worries me is that is that in one month he has formatted 3 mates computers where in 21 years I have formatted 3 mates computers.
I like to sit down and work myself through the problem before the inevitable happens.
Too many people think that a 'fix' is to format a computer.

I agree, just 'nuking it' is no way to learn anything. Admittedly it is often the easiest/quickest way to fix something sometimes but I'd rather spend the time and gain the knowledge of what went wrong.

wannabedamned · 7 Jan 2010 at 22:19

I_M_Weasel said:
A format can be the most efficent option. If there's no important unbacked up data just start over.

Whats efficient about going back and starting again. These days formatting isnt necassary

Biohazard · 7 Jan 2010 at 22:19

i still do it (reformat)

the days aren't over if we still do it are they?

hah

wannabedamned · 7 Jan 2010 at 22:27

Biohazard said:
i still do it (reformat)

the days aren't over if we still do it are they?

hah

Well, I've personally not had to format a PC in about 2 years, and i fix them on a daily basis. There are just tools out there that can fix your PC no matter the problem.

Hijackthis is the mother of all tools. If you know what you're looking for you can release the grasp of nasty malware anywhere in a system. follow it with a virus\malware scan and your system is generally clean.

If you're suffering from windows corruption and you have your windows CD you can just bang it in and run an SFC scan and it'll fix\replace any corrupted files.

and just for that spring fresh clean, CCleaner to remove crappy reg entries and temp files.

Stupot_ · 7 Jan 2010 at 22:29

dmpoole said:
What worries me is that is that in one month he has formatted 3 mates computers where in 21 years I have formatted 3 mates computers.
I like to sit down and work myself through the problem before the inevitable happens.
Too many people think that a 'fix' is to format a computer.

Or maybe you just don't have many mates!

SiriusB · 7 Jan 2010 at 22:34

The problem is the non-format solution can often take more time than just doing a nuke. If you are sensible and keep a disk image then oftentimes this really is the simplest solution.

Also if it is a malware-riddled rats nest of crap then it really is easier to nuke than track down and erradicate everything. With the likes of Windows 7 being super fast to install and able to install pretty much all your drivers for you automagically, there is even more reason to go the nuke route!

.one. · 7 Jan 2010 at 23:39

Azagoth said:
Are your mates a tad slow, you know, mentally?

lol made my night.

Clum · 7 Jan 2010 at 23:59

If you're thinking of charging your mates for fixing their computers then you might as well charge them for the pleasure of your company at the pub/playground while you're at it(however old you are).