Client calls, needs to have computer (a HP Pentium3) fixed urgently, it keeps locking up & runs very slowly. I think: sounds like another spyware problem.

Turns out the client already has spybot installed & running correctly, however, their virus checker had ended its free trial period, so they had installed another virus checker… Now this could be the problem… I’ve heard that its usually a very bad idea to run 2 virus checkers at the same time, so I eventually manage to disable all virus checkers (as well as usual startup crud from the registery). I also clean up the temp folders and install antivir.

I also installed a webcam for him.

The really weird thing is that the CDROM drive wouldn’t close, it would open at boot time & then stay open. I eventually figure that it must be broken. Client wants it fixed, so the next day, I quote him the cost of a new drive, plus installation & configuration (and a small amount of training on the DVD software).

Client agrees, I buy a DVD burner, & go to install it…

When I get there the second time, client say he is very pleased… He has had the computer since new, & since I fixed the lock-up problem, apparently the computer is faster than when it was new.

If more people realised that some fine-tuning can make a big difference to their computer speed, I reckon computer sales would drop.

Opening a name-brand PC is sometimes like a puzzle, & this HP was one of the trickier ones. but I eventually manage to swap over the optical drive, install the software & do a test burn of a DVD.

Client loves, the new drive & has lots of questions, & wants to know how to copy CD music to the PC, how to download movies, etc, etc. Since some of this is getting uncomfortably towards illegal downloads, etc, I politely say I cannot install that stuff, but I can give him some pointers… & he can decide what to do. I make sure he knows that downloading music & movies without paying for them is illegal.

All the extra questions & demonstrations take an extra 40 minutes (and the previous visit also went about 40 minutes over, so I tell hime I need to charge for an extra hour.

He writes a check, but says he wasn’t expecting to pay so much. I counter with: he is actually getting great value, as he has gotten a lot of extra help & information, which few other “computer repairers”. would have been able/willing to deliver in such a short period of time. He certainly got his money’s worth.