Computer upgrade, set-up, costs, etc.

[The Bug]

Hi,

I need some help from the tech guys on the list.

We have a couple of computers in the house, 1 pc and 1 notebook.

The pc is an older (2 years) Compaq and the notebook is a newer (1 year) Toshiba.

We are happy with the capabilites of the notebook, not so much with the pc.

We fried the monitor for the pc and I am looking at some of the larger flat screens in and around $250 to $300 cost range.

So, is it possible to get a little more cost-effective performance out of the pc? Is it worth it?

And, once I have all of the hardware, software, wireless stuff required we want to pay someone to come into our place and get the whole system working correctly. We need someone to step up the the plate that knows what they are doing and wants to make a few extra bucks, cash of course.

I put this in the buy/sell forum because I am looking to purchase hardware/software and pay for services.

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by The Bug

So, is it possible to get a little more cost-effective performance out of the pc? Is it worth it?

depends what your opinion of cost effective is

I put together my current rig back in April, its not on the very high end but its a solid medium level rig capable of running pretty much everything at a relatively high level. Cost me a shade under 800 bucks not including the monitor/OS to put together.

If you put your own computers together its usually quite easy to upgrade different parts as your computer ages, on the other hand if you're the type to just buy the latest dell rig it might be more difficult and you'd be better off starting from scratch.

[lewdvig]

Future shop and Best Buy have decent PCs (dual core, 2 GB ram, big hard drives and good optical burners) with 19 or 20" LCD widescreens for $500-600. That is probably a better best.

[lewdvig]

Just pay Geek Squad to come do the work if you buy at a store. They are insured. I would not trust anyone from a buy/sell forum to setup anything in my place.

Lots of well intentioned people, but accidents happen.

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by lewdvig

Just pay Geek Squad to come do the work if you buy at a store. They are insured. I would not trust anyone from a buy/sell forum to setup anything in my place.

Lots of well intentioned people, but accidents happen.

Oh my... I would recommend someone off this forum before even thinking about hiring Geek Squad. I do not recommend them at all.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by lewdvig

Just pay Geek Squad to come do the work if you buy at a store. They are insured. I would not trust anyone from a buy/sell forum to setup anything in my place.

Lots of well intentioned people, but accidents happen.

You didn't see the Marketplace story about tech repair places last week, did you?

[The Bug]

I kind of thought that I may be better off buying a new pc because of the monitor issue.

So be it.

I won't use anyone like the geek squad, I have heard of way to many problems with little or no service after the fact.

I'm not looking for miracles here.

Just someone to get our hardware and software systems running well within a wireless system.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by fotze

What was the last company, where they were interviewing the founder of the company who clearly was not expecting the video of his employee being a dirty rat thief. He was just sickened, looked like he was about to cry and they just kept pounding him on this bad employee, I actually felt sorry for him.

I feel sorry for how many people have been fleeced by some of these guys.

The story was a bit misleading - the system files that they screwed with to trigger the one error are often targeted by viruses, so if someone had that issue I would definitely do a few virus scans. And the people who set the computers up for the test were a little overconfident - sure, if you know what the problem is it can be an easy quick fix, but computers are notorious for one symptom have a truckload of possible causes.

But overall, what the repair guys were doing was fleecing the customers.

[REDVAN]

go to memory express, buy a computer and then start swapping parts as need be.

[Ducay]

dell dell dell
If you arn't technically inclined just get a Dell, theyll help you get it up and running. And dont get me started on how cheap they are.

[Nufy]

I just bought a mid range Dell with 19" monitor and XP for under 800 bux.

I have Office 2003 from work I should be good to go as soon as I turf that
useless M-Soft works off of it..

COnnect my old one though a switch and transfer all of my music and pics and the kid has a great beginner comp.

[Julio]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

go to memory express, buy a computer and then start swapping parts as need be.

ME is on my shizzle list right now...I got a system from them, asked them to put in my two hard drives...It's about to go back there a second time because it won't recognize one of the drives...and I'm tired enough of the runaround from them to perhaps impose on a friend who knows (I know enough about computers to know how little I know).

[REDVAN]

Originally Posted by Julio

ME is on my shizzle list right now...I got a system from them, asked them to put in my two hard drives...It's about to go back there a second time because it won't recognize one of the drives...and I'm tired enough of the runaround from them to perhaps impose on a friend who knows (I know enough about computers to know how little I know).

I learned that lesson once. I bought my computer through them, one of the custom jobs, and then about a year later the power supply went, but it was all under warranty still so I had them look at it. 3 weeks later it comes back with my hard drives erased and what not.

Then about 6 months later after my warranty is done, I had the same issue (dead power supply) so I went in, asked the guy WTF is the minimum that I need with all my components, and then I installed it myself. Done and done.

If you can't figure it out, or are too lazy, then this would be trouble. I think any computer repair place is sketchy...

[metal_geek]

Most Computer repair people don't want to be sketchy, but there is just so many different issues, problems, configurations, broken pieces, office setup, virus, software, operating systems, it's hard for someone to be right every single time.

A big problem is when "tech professionals" use computer terms to confuse people when they make a mistake or don't know what the answer is. Customers are left confuesed and either have the same problem or a bigger one.

Computer people can go from Hero to Zero to Hero on a daily basis.
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LESBIAN VIDEO

[mykalberta]

Totally agreed metal_geek.

I have my own home computer consulting biz that I work for through referrals only. Mostly older folks or familes who know the people I have worked for, also a few small farm biz enterprises.

Consulting for strangers is a tough biz. I only take a job after the demands/requirements/payment has been signed and agreed to in advance. I am also not cheap and I have a demand which about 30% of customers have balked at (even after agreeing to on the phone) - LinkSys WRTG54 router installed as well as reading my personal 84 page computer know how guide (generously spaced with lots of screenshots and written for first time computer users). Its funny how a 65$ router is a sticking point for alot of people - its also funny to see the look on their faces when I shake their hand and tell them to have a nice day.

[metal_geek]

ROFL "84 page computer know how guide "

Thats awsome!

I'm a IT professional, but I only fix "Friends and Families" stuff and even then only for FREE, because once you accept Money/Gift/Compensation, you own thier problems from now untill the end of time. There is a 100% chance they'll have a problem down the road to, Really.. when was the last time someone said "I have no problems with my computer, I think I'll buy a new one"..
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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (als) advice

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by metal_geek

ROFL "84 page computer know how guide "

Thats awsome!

I'm a IT professional, but I only fix "Friends and Families" stuff and even then only for FREE, because once you accept Money/Gift/Compensation, you own thier problems from now untill the end of time. There is a 100% chance they'll have a problem down the road to, Really.. when was the last time someone said "I have no problems with my computer, I think I'll buy a new one"..

For the OP - unless you are in a situation with no access to electrical outlets, I would seriously reccomend the Netgear Powerline Ethernet products. I have 4 at home and have purhcased over 50 for different customers and I can say that I would never reccomend a wireless setup for anyone with anything more than a PDA. I work in higher level of Corporate IT than desktop support and I cant stand wireless and all the associated headaches (I feel for our support people who have to deal with them). Link below for more info.
http://www.netgear.com/Products/Powe...g.aspx?for=All

As per the Guide:

It started at 10 pages for my family and their annoying friends who would call me while at school and I got tired of answering the same questions over and over again.

It has a lot of technical jargon that I try to dumb down, here are the chapters. My parents who I would say are on the upper level of technical know how (which is to say they know what Ram looks like) have gone through this book for me to make sure it is sufficient for the average user (they are 52 and 44 respectively.

1: Some Quick NoNo's and YesYes's. 8 Pages
2: Windows 2000: 6 pages (very compressed)
3: Windows XP: 16 pages
4: Windows Vista: 6 pages (ever expanding)
5: Windows Networking (wired and wireless): 8 pages
6: Windows Security: 16 pages
7: Windows Peripheral Devices: 9 Pages (Ipod, Camera, Printer, Scanner etc) (66)
8: Windows Software Installs: 6 pages
9: Buying Power: 8 pages (basically things to look for, websites for price comparrison as well as a free 2 yr service which they can email me and ask questions - 5 buisness day turn)
10: Internet and your connection: 4 pages (Basically a service I offer for 6 months where I will remote into their router to check for problems, also a computer remoting service for basic issues).

Once you actually start writing a guide it can easily baloon to hundreds of pages. If I was writing something for my friends who have average computer knowledge the guide would easily be pushing 250+ pages. Once you start writing something in plain tongue with emphasis on not rambling and sounding over bearing, it gets the page count down.

There are 13 versions of it. Before last summer is was very bloated and then I had large job (for me anyways) which I cleared 8k and had to take 4 vacation days from work to do. I decided to clean it up and personalize it for that farm buisness. Great people to deal with - so far the only people I sold a support contract to via my small biz license. Also great on the referrals, come in 2008 I have a few more jobs lined up with other biz. Unfortunately work compes first and its a smidge busy these days.

The biggest thing I suggest for people looking to make some extra cash on the site with a computer consulting biz: Invest in a portable mini USB Hard Drive (I have a mini 200Gb drive with all basic Dell and HP XP drivers for Network, Motherboard, Video, Audio). Along with the technotes with troubleshooting guides for each system. Also create a Boot DVD or Flash drive with some basic HD and memory check software programs along with your favorite registry cleaner or virus clean software - Also basic XP and Vista Images can make life easier.

I would also recommend "NOT TO ADVERTISE" your services. Yes you will get more business, you will also get more headaches and in this buisness a little less headaches has an uncountable monetary value. Also dont blindly take a job. Interview the person to see if that person is a Jack or a Jill.

Jack's are people who expect a computer to do what it wants when it wants and has no concept that this device is just like your clock radio. You can program the time and alarm but you cant make it cook you breakfast. Refer Jack's to Geeksquad - stay far far far away from them.

Jill's are people who if given the proper information will honestly try not to click on the link that says "free Trip to Jamaica". They will also be attentive when you are working on their system. Yes over bearing eyes are a pain, but they are better than someone who goes away and doesnt care what was done. Do whatever you can to please this customer, even if that means underbilling because you will be rewared with more Jill customers.

I have also invested in SpinRite. I usually purchase a 10 license agreement with them renewing it everytime I go over (you have to support the companies who make excellent products).

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by fotze

What was the last company, where they were interviewing the founder of the company who clearly was not expecting the video of his employee being a dirty rat thief. He was just sickened, looked like he was about to cry and they just kept pounding him on this bad employee, I actually felt sorry for him.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/getting_gouged_by_geeks/