Blue Screen View Output

[Diggs]

Against my better judgement and advice to the customer I've put SSDs in single core X64 AIOs lately (with a N&P). The customers were more than happy and I've received an email since (from the worst/slowest) one thanking me again for giving their old computer new life. Sigh......

 

[Markverhyden]

Against my better judgement and advice to the customer I've put SSDs in single core X64 AIOs lately (with a N&P). The customers were more than happy and I've received an email since (from the worst/slowest) one thanking me again for giving their old computer new life. Sigh......

When I popped in an SSD on my D630, some 11 years old, it's just as fast as a low end new business laptop.

 

[sapphirescales]

Here ya go - problem solved:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-TouchSm...457431?hash=item2aaeedf797:g:ilEAAOSwsiZbSKlP

When an AIO starts showing potential motherboard problems (like turning off or problems with USB ports or whatnot), it's time to either scrap it or convince the client to pay you to rebuild it with parts from a spare unit like this one. When I get a client like this, I tell them that I'm going to buy another identical unit and swap the parts around to get them one working system. Then I give them both systems and they can keep the non-functioning one for spare parts.

I just had a client come in last week that I had done this with about 2 years ago. He's in love with this old a$$ Windows Vista Sony Vaio laptop. It had a toasted motherboard so 2 years ago I convinced him to pay for another used one off eBay along with my time to swap parts around to get one working computer out of the deal. He did and then two years later (this was last week), he came in because the cooling fan sounded like it was taking off. I swapped it with the cooling fan from the other unit and he was out the door happy as a clam. Sometimes you get clients like this, and that's fine. You just have to know how to deal with them.

 

[Porthos]

Though true the customers wishes rule out in the end I must be lucky that the people I encounter are more likely to replace with a business refurb.

I can assume youy clean install will be Win 7 (since they don't like want change). You would have issues down the road with during upgrades with that non supported ATI video chip ( if I read the specs correctly) With 10.

The closer it gets to Jan 2020 the easier it gets to convince people (even elderly ones to replace and move to Win 10. And before some here go off on me about 10, I do not have the issues that others have with either software issues or privacy issues since 7 has these same issues just like anything else that connects to the web. Linux is not a real option either (the learning and user support curve is worse than Win 10.

The next thing that most likely only applies to me is IF I am requested /forced to install Win 7 (have not had to for the last 3 yrs) it will cost much more for my labor than doing Win 10. (2.5 times more) plus any parts with a small markup. So it turns it in to a no brainer to replace instead of repair.

End every one here does things thier way and I do mine my way as long as the customer goes home happy in the end.

 

[sapphirescales]

Though true the customers wishes rule out in the end I must be lucky that the people I encounter are more likely to replace with a business refurb.

I can assume youy clean install will be Win 7 (since they don't like want change). You would have issues down the road with during upgrades with that non supported ATI video chip ( if I read the specs correctly) With 10.

The closer it gets to Jan 2020 the easier it gets to convince people (even elderly ones to replace and move to Win 10. And before some here go off on me about 10, I do not have the issues that others have with either software issues or privacy issues since 7 has these same issues just like anything else that connects to the web. Linux is not a real option either (the learning and user support curve is worse than Win 10.

The next thing that most likely only applies to me is IF I am requested /forced to install Win 7 (have not had to for the last 3 yrs) it will cost much more for my labor than doing Win 10. (2.5 times more) plus any parts with a small markup. So it turns it in to a no brainer to replace instead of repair.

I'm a 100% Windows 10 shop except under special circumstances such as old software needing an old OS to run. Though honestly, most of my clients that are running old software are either still running Windows XP, 98, or even DOS. I have a couple clients upgraded all the way to a 32 bit version of Windows 7, but that's only because it was still supported at the time. I think the days of needing to keep running older operating systems because of old software are finally coming to an end.

I don't install operating systems from scratch anymore ever since I started using images with Windows 10. I installed Windows 7 yesterday for a personal computer of mine and it took forever! I forgot what a pain in the butt it was to have to install Windows 7 and all the updates and drivers and such manually.

I don't install Windows 7 frequently enough to justify changing my pricing structure to reflect a higher charge, but to be honest I would want at least twice as much as my normal rate for installing Windows 10.

 

[Porthos]

I don't install operating systems from scratch anymore ever since I started using images with Windows 10. I installed Windows 7 yesterday for a personal computer of mine and it took forever! I forgot what a pain in the butt it was to have to install Windows 7 and all the updates and drivers and such manually.

Exactly.

I don't install Windows 7 frequently enough to justify changing my pricing structure to reflect a higher charge, but to be honest I would want at least twice as much as my normal rate for installing Windows 10.

You get it.

Just like in many other things, the customer is not always right. But if they want to pay me the extra to be "right" as long as it is legally possible then fine. But in big print on the invoice I will note that I recommended them NOT to fix said machine so when they are remorseful I can point it out. I dont mind not getting or losing a client that does not want to heed my advice. Those people usually don't want to pay much anyway and end up very needy (for free service) in the future.

 

[Mike McCall]

There really is no argument among us in terms of SSD over spinner, 10 over..., or where we would stop repairing a particular device. Details may differ between us, but we all would have replaced the device in question.

On parts such as MB's, buying new for such an aged device is highly unlikely. However, on parts such as drives & memory I won't install used as long as new is available. If either of those are no longer available, then I'm more likely to refuse to work on it for residential break/fix customers. In this case, new is available so that's what the customer will get. No used parts unless there are none available. Then, if it's that old there better be a good reason why they're insisting on keeping it.

When I am unable to convince a customer of a particular course of action I remind myself that it's my job to serve their (reasonable) wishes to the best of my ability. My rates are sufficient to make the labor worth my while.

 

[GTP]

A fool and thier money are soon parted.

people make choices I wouldn't for their own reasons and are not fools.

You can learn - even from fools - as long as you're prepared to listen...

 

[GTP]

...every one here does things thier way and I do mine my way as long as the customer goes home happy in the end.

And this - my friend - is the only thing that matters.
It's exactly how I've run my business for almost 20 years.

@add: Will it make you happy to learn that I (personally) am now 90% Windows 10 and 10% Linux?
I'm recommending (not forcing) all my Win 7 clients that it's time to upgrade.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

Her comment was something like; "I spent $700 and it's not even 10-years old yet." Ugh.

I'd be like...

*Pulls out the original surface pro* This was sold for 1000 dollars 6 years ago, you can now buy them for 150-200 on ebay and its roughly 3 times faster than your machine, portable, and way more energy efficient.

 

[Porthos]

@add: Will it make you happy to learn that I (personally) am now 90% Windows 10 and 10% Linux?
I'm recommending (not forcing) all my Win 7 clients that it's time to upgrade.

It is good to hear based on some of your previous posts.
You and I are about the same age and have been doing this gig for about the same time. Good to see we are like minded in most things.