Do you trust computer repair people? - Page 2

Milambar · 17-04-2009, 14:57

I bought a "refurbished", ex-demo machine from PC World. When I opened it, it was a horror story. The components were all reasonable quality for the price, but it looked like they'd literally just thrown them into the case, and hoped for the best. One of the spare power cables from the PSU was even hanging down, and rubbing against the CPU fan as it span.

I stripped it down and rebuilt it, never given me a problem since.

AndyCambs · 17-04-2009, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

well done pc world on that one though

However, on a Data Protection point of view - did the staff have any right to rifle through his personal folders?
Would they have done that if it had been an ordinary person?

Don't get me wrong, in no way do I condone the activities of Mr Gadd - it's just that I question the motives for the PC World staff to rifle through the files in the first place.

17-04-2009, 16:51

depends what they were doing to fix it. If it was running a virus scan for example it could have given a clue if someone was watching it ie file name showing in scan or a virus could have been found in a file name that was suspect then passed onto the police. If I have to do a clean up of a system thats having problems I always ask if there is anything they do not want me to see etc. Thing is if someone gives you a system with malware sometimes you have to look for it. I would much rather reformat than have to hunt down problems

AndyCambs · 17-04-2009, 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

depends what they were doing to fix it. If it was running a virus scan for example it could have given a clue if someone was watching it ie file name showing in scan or a virus could have been found in a file name that was suspect then passed onto the police. If I have to do a clean up of a system thats having problems I always ask if there is anything they do not want me to see etc. Thing is if someone gives you a system with malware sometimes you have to look for it. I would much rather reformat than have to hunt down problems

Precisely. I've never known PC World staff work so diligently to fix a computer before....

17-04-2009, 16:56

never used them and never will so do not know

Halcyon · 17-04-2009, 21:38

I tend to do some PC repair work from time to time and will only charge my customors for the time I am there and if fitting new parts just add a couple of pounds on top. I will never double the costs as I have heard some people do!
I always fully explain what I have done to the customor and make sure they are happy with the price.
I have often provided free phone support too.

I would not trust everyone as like with every trade there are some people that will just rip you off or invent anything to get more money out of you. These people need locking up!

Dude111 · 18-04-2009, 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocDutch

PC world is just shocking sometimes.

Yes all they wanna do mostly is rip someone off while not giving the best service they COULD give them!

SMG · 18-04-2009, 17:02

I`ve been repairing & building PC`s for about 8 years. I really only do family & friends now. I once built a PC for a neighbours son, then, about 2 years later, it came back, faulty. When I opened it, the cables were tied up with bits of string, screws missing, etc.

I took a look. The CPU had been forced in & lots of pins were flat. One securing clip from a simm was missing, & the agp card wasn't in properly.

I asked her who had been tinkering with it, she swore blind no one had touched it since I built it. I gave it back, as it was, & told her to get someone else to sort it. I take a lot of pride in my machines, I use cable ties for a neat job. She returned a couple of weeks later, apologizing, as, apparently, her son, who she thought the sun shone out of, had semi stripped it, & re built it.

She ended up with a new mobo, CPU & mem. (DDR). Oh, & a good look at her 15 year old sons screen saver, & folders marked "Dans Porn".

Never heard from them since.

Hom3r · 18-04-2009, 17:47

I wouldn't trust our IT department to turn the PC on.

xpod · 18-04-2009, 18:34

Personally i`ve never had to rely on the type of places in question although i know many many people who have and most have had some kind of horror story to tell.

admars · 18-04-2009, 21:14

it's a bit like car garages and mechanics though isn't it, you hear horror stories about some, so others get tarred with same brush.

I know next to nothing about cars, so when I take my car for an MOT, and it passes or fails, i pretty much have to believe them, I guess I go to a good garage as they haven't found much wrong over last few years, and things they did were normal wear and tear/me not looking after car properly

Ppl moan about chains like Kwik Fit, but the couple of times I've used them, they've been fine, I'm sure there are ppl who have been to a kwik Fit after a puncture, and have been told they need 5 new tyres, an exhaust, and other things.

Halcyon · 18-04-2009, 22:15

I used to go from doing my day job to going to fixing PC's but it became so tiring. I charged hardly anything. Just enough to make a bit of money and used to sometimes spend ages working on systems. Now I only do friends and family.

Dai · 19-04-2009, 00:02

Most of my customers come back for more, so I'm assuming I get stuff right most of the time. When they stop referring their friends I guess it'll be time to apply to PC World..

CHiLL · 19-04-2009, 23:16

A friend of mine took the CMOS battery out of his motherboard, and took it to a local computer shop to see what they would say. After two days, they said he needed a new motherboard, graphics card and hard drive. He put the CMOS battery in, and it worked again.

Halcyon · 20-04-2009, 00:27

Some people are absolute thieves!
I hope the shop goes bust.