Re: Can you really 100% clean a compromised machine 100% of the time w

From: Plato (|_at_|.|)
Date: 11/21/05 

Date: 21 Nov 2005 00:26:07 -0600

-Draino- wrote:
>
> I hear that and I always get nervous because I find that if I have to do
> things the hard way it is going to cost a lot of money and for a business
> that is ok, for a home user it may not be acceptable.

Let me add some things to clarify what I said. We try to fix a business
machine instead of starting fresh because with all those
apps/settings/etc installed it could take a day to get the pc back to
what it was if you started fresh. Many have very complex network
settings as well. So, it's cheaper for the business to "work the
problem".

Of course there are many type of business pcs the ones I'm talking about
are those with desktop full of icons and they use them all. Then you
have to find printer drivers, mobo drivers, etc. Then they may have
custom apps that you may have to call the software maker to get the
right tweaks/settings.

So you may spend a few hours fixing, or even an entire morning, but it's
better than the business having to pay you for an entire day. Besides,
they want the pc up asap. Even if some [not-so-essential] apps dont work
just yet.

Now for the home user. Interestingly, even tho you get the call, go
over, and figure for a hour or so work, you could probably get the
computer back to 95% to what it was before the problem. The customer
often hints he/she *really* wants that "new car feel" like the pc was
brand new again. It often seems like they expect/want you to start 100%
fresh.

Yes of course, they dont want to pay for you trying, then find out it
cant be fixed, then have to pay for more time to start it fresh
afterwards.

BTW, a $130 fee for a fresh install is pretty much what the average,
small pc repair business might charge in my area also. With new pcs at
$499 yes, you do have to cap the cost for the home user.

> >> I get $130.00 for each machine, flat rate. I usually do about 10 machines
> >> a
> >> month, so it makes for some nice pocket money.
> >
> > Many of us do not have that option to do fresh installs to repair easily
> > fixed, or even difficult fixed, problems.
> >
> > Many of us have business customers that have 20 or more apps installed
> > and configured and it would take days to install/configure them again.
> > So, we fix the pc, rather then format new.

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