Vista Tuneup Situation

[techlabco]

I have a several calls from clients who need their PC's cleaned out. The OS I am focusing on this thread is Vista 32 and 64 bit. I have gotten to the point where even after I clean out LOADS of crap out of all their systems...they still point out that they PC takes forever to startup, shutdown and alot of simple tasks freeze. I explain to them that Vista is hands-down a HUGE embarrassment to MicroSoft because of issues like this.

Now here is my thought. Instead of agreeing to do a tuneup and knowing that what the most likely result is gonna be--still some slowness--pointed out from client---I should just strongly recommend not spending the money to have the PC cleaned and tuned and just spend the $ to upgrade/clean install to Windows 7.
Bottom line it is an upsell but it is a genuine upsell to improve the clients PC experience.
I am seriously considering to deploy a new policy that when a client asks for a Tuneup/Cleanout that we refuse the job because the client will be wasting their money. We would explain why and what we STRONGLY recommend. Yes, it will cost more but they will be happy in the long run. If the client doesn't care, then we will do it as long as the client understands and signs off saying they have declined our recommendation.

What do you think?
Have you considered something of this sort?
Cause this just really frustrates me!!!!

 

[bensthelens]

Bottom line for me

If its Vista x86 then minimum 2gb/3gb ram and x64 no less than 4gb

So many customers have Vista laptops with 1GB on them.. and when I come across them (all the time) I up-sell to them RAM immediately. (if they will take it) It's cheaper than a new OS and It will more often than not do the trick (along with decrapifying their start-up items etc) ((and you can test its effectiveness with your own spare Ram stick either on site or before you phone to give your recommendations))

On the other hand...

I'm always keen to move people to Windows 7, which means they can keep their 1GB, as we all know it works just fine and dandy like that.

I guess it always comes down to budgets and data-backup ball aches in the end I think..

Not sure if any of what i've said helped!

 

[Elemdee]

I am seriously considering to deploy a new policy that when a client asks for a Tuneup/Cleanout that we refuse the job because the client will be wasting their money. We would explain why and what we STRONGLY recommend. Yes, it will cost more but they will be happy in the long run. If the client doesn't care, then we will do it as long as the client understands and signs off saying they have declined our recommendation.

What do you think?
Have you considered something of this sort?
Cause this just really frustrates me!!!!

So essentially you're talking about refusing a job unless they upgrade to Win 7 or unless they sign an agreement saying that they've been advised of the upgrade recommendation and choose not to do it at this time... seems kind of harsh to me. I'd more likely offer options like the poster above me said...possible Ram upgrade vs. Win 7, etc. And what is this about simple tasks freezing? This is a common complaint you get with Vista? That's news to me. ??

 

[bensthelens]

So essentially you're talking about refusing a job unless they upgrade to Win 7 or unless they sign an agreement saying that they've been advised of the upgrade recommendation and choose not to do it at this time... seems kind of harsh to me. I'd more likely offer options like the poster above me said...possible Ram upgrade vs. Win 7, etc. And what is this about simple tasks freezing? This is a common complaint you get with Vista? That's news to me. ??

I get a lot of 'stalling' rather than 'freezing'.. if there is a difference

Ben

 

[Hercomputers]

H-m-m-m....what kind of machines are these that belong to these clients that want their pc cleaned out? Do all the machines meet the hardware requirements for Windows 7 already and are you checking into this before you make the recommendations to just automatically upgrade to Windows 7?

Your new policy you want to implement needs to be worked out. It doesn't sound like you've totally thought it out totally. The client should be given a choice, options, not just be told that Windows 7 is the answer to their computer issues. My two cents-

 

[techlabco]

Thanks for the comments. I am only considering/pondering this situation I get a couple times a week. When I say Programs freezing....I mean the same thing as programs stalling--realized the comments and wanted to clarify.
Well, yeah--after speaking to the client, if their machine meets requirements, we could suggest the upgrade. As for RAM, of course if they are skimming it with 1gb...I would suggest an upgrade of RAM regardless. 3 PC's this week have been 64bit with 4gbs....I had one with 6gb's and it was flying.
IDK...I feel that I am having to explain to the client after a good decrap as to why some aspect's of Vista are just slow and/or freezing.
And yes, as in any job...it all comes down to budget...
As I said, I was just thinking about this....not anywhere near implementing without some serious breakdown and analysis of policy especially with the input of my managers and techs. I just feel that when we do what we do when it comes to Vista I get alot of people with this look in their eye like not much has changed with their system....and if you know how some clients can be...they can start to complain that you didn't resolve the Vista freeze issues, etc. Why not? Somewhat of a efforted approach to move the client away from Vista wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing? I feel that I am trying to do the best for the client...but budgets are the bottom line right? Signing something? yeah...maybe too much...
I mean seriously...when a client comes to you with a problem in Vista....and you know that it's gonna be a bitch to resolve and sometimes cannot be resolved....if they have to go out and buy a new printer because their printer refuses to work with Vista and the tech support lines are saying that it is the system and not their issues...and it works flawlessly with an XP or 7 system that is in the local environment....why should they have to go out and spend $ for a new printer just so one computer can print? Sorry...I just get annoyed with Vista as it can cause some unnecessary environment changes.
Yes, Vista has me annoyed. lol...we do too many jobs a day to spend more time and money than it should to resolve the embarrassment that Vista presents...........................................................................................................................................................

 

[vdub12]

Vista does not cause me that many problems.

I am overjoyed that I get so many jobs due to vista. Maybe you would be happier if computers didn't break so often. Me on the other hand I say bring it on.

Customers that dig vista are great because they are use to calling you for repeat business when the gremlins come out. lol, why would I want to upgrade someone to a more stable OS that will make me less repeat business. Also keep in mind that some computers will not support Windows 7. I had an HP notebook a while back that a customer wanted upgraded and a few of the devices including video downright would not work in 7.

Also the cost of a genuine license for Windows 7 and the price in labor just does not make since. Not when you can get a very nice Core i5 or AthlonX2 from Dell with 4Gb of ram for under $500.

 

[Cambridge PC Support]

for me, slow Vista is:

o not enough memory (as stated above)
o Norton or McAfee
o unnecessary programs/processes running in bkg
o heavily fragmented HDD

yes it is a bit crap, but not enough to completely write it off and refuse to do anything with the machine unless it's to upgrade to 7

of course it's up to you, but I think you'll be missing out

 

[norm1320]

I've got one client with Vista installed on a Dell c840 with a 2GHz Pentium-m and 1GB of ram. It always seems to run quite smoothly when I've given it its semi-annual checkup.

Maybe it just really likes the specific configuration on that system, but maybe there are other issues at work when you see a Vista system that isn't running right.

 

[maclaptech]

I try to stay away form upgrading from VISTA to 7. If they ask for upgrade, I just backup their data and install full version 7 with OEM 7.

VISTA tuneup is a touch and go for me. Sometimes it works and sometimes I end up regretting I ever worked on it.

 

[stevenamills]

If the economy weren't so crummy, I would impose my own VAT (Vista Added Tax). I hate to work on them. My favorite situation is completing a repair and then realize it will install an update when you turn it off. I swear, I think the infamous update loop must be close to 50%.

As I've said before, I wonder, as a pure legal matter, this even qualifies an an O/S.....

 

[JW The Computer Guy]

Vista just seems slow because all the crapware. Fresh installs are fine. I know this as I ran vista home premium on my 8 year old Dell Dimension 8250 with 512mb ram and 2.4ghz cpu, with aero enabled. It was fast.