Dealing with junk

[camp.cool007]

I just wanted to know how you all dealt with pieces of junk. Both when repairing for a client, or if you find it on the street. There is an article on how to dispose of junk, but that's not what I'm looking for. Example: when repairing for a client if it has too much stuff on there to even comprehend (I'm talking multiple viruses, 8 or 9 different conflicting programs/devices, 20 different drivers for one thing, computers with windows 95 or lower, stuff like that)(I've had all of these) I tell them that if they want ME to do it for $70 cheaper than best buy I'll have to reformat. If I get junk I normally keep it til I can either fix it or die trying. I never throw anything out. Even if it means paying for storage (I dont. But if I had to I would). So what do you all do?

EDIT: Ok maybe that wasn't such a good question. Let me try and be more specific. I didn't want to know how to fix a computer like that, but I wanted to know how you all deal with client computers that have so much junk on them it takes a week to fix. Do you reformat? Or do you take the time to deal with it? Or do you tell them to go somewhere else or buy a new computer?

 

[14049752]

I have almost no idea what you're asking here....

Are you asking how to keep and store old/junk equipment? Or are you asking how we deal with cleaning up drivers, viruses, and extra programs on a system? What does formatting a computer have to do with storage space?

I 'm confused!

 

[TimeCode]

I have almost no idea what you're asking here....

Are you asking how to keep and store old/junk equipment? Or are you asking how we deal with cleaning up drivers, viruses, and extra programs on a system? What does formatting a computer have to do with storage space?

I 'm confused!

Ditto. If you give us a more specific scenario, it'll be easier for us to help you.

 

[NWPhotog]

Charge by the hour. If the customer wants it fixed that is their decision, and in fact, many will have a valid reason for wanting what some may consider "junk" fixed. The better the tech the easier the fix!

 

[Blues]

I have a general rule of thumb if there is more then 3, maybe 5, virus/malware/rogueware/adware then I reformat and also if after 2 scans and reboots it finds it agian also reformat. I don't care much about the old OS issue for 98 SE or 2000 those I can work on fine and have CDs for. I tend to suggest that the look into a new PC when it is a pre XP machine. If they have asked for a tune up and I find 20 excess driver well I charge hourly for any onsite work so its thier money that pays for my time. I do some flat rates in my shop and in general is follows the same as above except on tune ups I kinda just eat the extra work.

 

[usacvlr]

Soylent green is people?

I just wanted to know how you all dealt with pieces of junk. Both when repairing for a client, or if you find it on the street. There is an article on how to dispose of junk, but that's not what I'm looking for. Example: when repairing for a client if it has too much stuff on there to even comprehend (I'm talking multiple viruses, 8 or 9 different conflicting programs/devices, 20 different drivers for one thing, computers with windows 95 or lower, stuff like that)(I've had all of these) I tell them that if they want ME to do it for $70 cheaper than best buy I'll have to reformat. If I get junk I normally keep it til I can either fix it or die trying. I never throw anything out. Even if it means paying for storage (I dont. But if I had to I would). So what do you all do?

EDIT: Ok maybe that wasn't such a good question. Let me try and be more specific. I didn't want to know how to fix a computer like that, but I wanted to know how you all deal with client computers that have so much junk on them it takes a week to fix. Do you reformat? Or do you take the time to deal with it? Or do you tell them to go somewhere else or buy a new computer?

 

[Flyingbull]

Soylent green is people?

Still tastes like crap.

 

[Blues]

Still tastes like crap.

it is the last thing your body does

 

[layoric]

A little old, but I'll answer anyway

For virus/trojans, etc., I generally try to fix it, even if it takes a long time. This isn't billed to customers as excess time. I attempt it as a challenge. If I fail, I tell them it needs a reformat/install of the OS. I notify them of the 1 hour minimum charge so I get paid for my work - something, so if they want something for nothing I don't get screwed.

For those that have a really old system, I offer a reinstall and optimization of the OS, based on what they use the computer for. If they use it for games such as the latest / greatest, the answer is generally a new computer. Most of my customers however, are just looking for the internet access. Just about anything can handle that if properly configured.

Layoric

 

[gunslinger]

I used to fix these older machines but in general these days I will avoid anything that wont at least run XP. The software has left the hardware at the point of Windows 98.
The exception would be a business that still has 98 and runs one or two programs made for it and thats all. I think anything that will at some point be online needs to be at least Windows 2000.

 

[usacvlr]

Generally my rule is 2 hours total time of me actually in front of the system. That doesn't include scanning etc. If I'm going to waste more than 2 hours on it then it's usually not worth it unless it's a slow day.

I just wanted to know how you all dealt with pieces of junk. Both when repairing for a client, or if you find it on the street. There is an article on how to dispose of junk, but that's not what I'm looking for. Example: when repairing for a client if it has too much stuff on there to even comprehend (I'm talking multiple viruses, 8 or 9 different conflicting programs/devices, 20 different drivers for one thing, computers with windows 95 or lower, stuff like that)(I've had all of these) I tell them that if they want ME to do it for $70 cheaper than best buy I'll have to reformat. If I get junk I normally keep it til I can either fix it or die trying. I never throw anything out. Even if it means paying for storage (I dont. But if I had to I would). So what do you all do?

EDIT: Ok maybe that wasn't such a good question. Let me try and be more specific. I didn't want to know how to fix a computer like that, but I wanted to know how you all deal with client computers that have so much junk on them it takes a week to fix. Do you reformat? Or do you take the time to deal with it? Or do you tell them to go somewhere else or buy a new computer?