Sample Checklist/Procedures for Computer Repair Business

[frase]

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/tfc/ - TFC is the name of the program, it stands for Temp File Cleaner.

I use that and delfix [deletes programs installed by tech to clean auto]

Delfix
https://toolslib.net/downloads/viewdownload/2-delfix/

 

[Colin]

Is Windows activation key legible under laptop.

That has bit us a couple of times.

yep been here, needed a nuke and reload of a laptop, said I could do it forgot to check the COA on the laptop...sure enough it was completely destroyed...that was a phone call and a lesson learned the hard way lol at least the customer was not too upset about it.

 

[Porthos]

(In fact, I noticed a few weeks ago that my own sticker is now illegible on the underside of my HP laptop now has about the last half completely unreadable.....SWEET! However, UVK will grab the Win product key off the disk if you can get at least to safe mode)

BUT.... That key is a GENERIC OEM key that will NEVER EVER activate.

 

[leomag]

Definitely good to have things documented, especially in a multi-tech environment. Couple of comments (in no particular order):

1. I never install Java unless I know for sure the customer has a reqm't for it. Too many potential problems down the road.
   
2. ComboFix has been known to cause problems in certain situations. OK to use if in dire straits? Yes. Would I run it as a normal thing? No.
3. After RKill, I'll normally run JRT and then ADWCleaner (since ADW requires a reboot).
4. Afterwards do Autoruns to clean out the startup list, which also includes the tasks in Task Scheduler. Run AutoRuns in admin mode, plus check the option "Hide Microsoft Items" to minimize the number of items listed.
5. If suspicious that problems still remain, RogueKiller is a good tool.
6. If a residential customer, why install FF or Chrome? They may be good alternatives for you and me, but many residential customers (especially less tech-savvy) will be confused.
7. Spybot is really not relevant anymore. Used to be a good tool a few years ago, but doesn't bring much to the table now-a-days.

My 2 cents worth.

Ditto to this for repairs, I pretty much do the same.
I also just do a malwarebytes scan as well.
Pretty simple list to do and fixes greater than 90% of my issues.
But you must find the order of operations that work for you.

 

[discipulus]

I've only had ComboFix fubar a computer a couple of times on me, and in each case it was fixable by restoring the backup of the registry that ComboFix creates.

 

[gigtek]

Thanks for these, will compare to my checklists and make sure I haven't missed anything

 

[xyber]

thanks for the checklist.

 

[gdeswart]

Here's another voice of concern regarding Combo-Fix. It's powerful, I'll admit, but I've seen it bork as many systems as I've seen it repair. Nothing worse than having to repair the repair. I use it as a last resort.

 

[glricht]

Regarding the illegible COA problem: if you can read the \Windows folder, even if it means pulling the HDD and attaching it to another machine, then SterJo Key Finder (http://www.sterjosoft.com/key-finder.html) can almost always dig out the keys to Windows and a lot of other software.

Generally won't help you if the PC is OEM and has the OEM-installed Windows on it. The key pulled will be the OEM's generic SLC key which normally won't activate after re-installing Windows without OEM system recovery media.

 

[k1mbo]

Thanks for reminding me to start recording my process's

 

[optima]

these will come in quite usefull , thanks for the great work

 

[lacym]

EDIT: Come to think of it, the some reason is behind putting Java and CCCP on the list as well as other runtimes. If the customer sees they need it and tries to google and install a codec or runtime on their own they (in my experience) will often get suckered by some malware-laden option.

Exactly. I've had business users install iTunes after I told them that I would, but just had to have it right then, they click on the first link after a search which apparently installs a bunch of other stuff as well as iTunes.

Adobe Reader is another one. I prefer FoxIt, which I set as the default, but Adobe Reader is there just in case.

 

[Altster]

BUT.... That key is a GENERIC OEM key that will NEVER EVER activate.

"NEVER EVER" - really? By golly they activate for me.

Oh and in the future I suggest using a good clear "shipping tape" to tape over the COA's so that they don't fade away.

 

[JFMorgan]

Thank you for the checklists and for the commentary from everyone. This is all extremely helpful!

 

[Tom Adkins]

"NEVER EVER" - really? By golly they activate for me.

Oh and in the future I suggest using a good clear "shipping tape" to tape over the COA's so that they don't fade away.

Same here, the key on the sticker has ALWAYS activated for me. Good suggestion about putting tape over the sticker.

 

[Tom Adkins]

I've used ComboFix dozens of times and it has never caused any problems. Never even had to roll back to a restore point. Malwarebytes, AdwCleaner, CCleaner, and Autoruns are my favorites for virus removal.

 

[Altster]

BUT.... That key is a GENERIC OEM key that will NEVER EVER activate.

Out of curiousity, did you ever try to activate one of those (so-called) GENERIC OEM keys?