tweak3d.net— A detailed list of some excellent tips and habits for aspiring computer technicians, or anyone looking to sharpen their tools used when handling clients.
Nov 1, 2006View in Crawl 4
> " Formatting is never an option. "Virus/Spyware is usually their problem, and to counter today's newest viruses, reformatting is often all you can do.
I hate to say it but this is sort of a "duh" article. Granted it does include very helpful tips about how to be a good/professional tech, but to be perfectly honest it's all just stuff you'd read in the company handbook anyway. I know, I know, this applies more to independently contracted techs or people starting their own tech service/store, but those people probably worked for some comp tech company at some point so they would have read the same general company handbook as well.
I would add, mistakes by you the technician can and will happen no matter how good you are no one is perfect, everyone has a bad day. It's embarrassing but you will make a mistake and delete something or damage something. Learn to deal with it and move on.
For the most part, the client wants their computer to look and feel the same way as it did before the technician optimizes their system. It's like when you take your car to get worked on and all the mirrors have been moved and the radio stations have been reset. The difference is that it takes a lot longer to get the computer back to it's previous state.It comes down to efficiency. Will it take longer to: reformat and reconfigure the clients computer to suit their needs or take the time to fix the issues that are causing problems and not have to migrate their data, programs and settings?
A trick I learned during my desktop support days is to always back up a customer's data personally before doing a reformat. Tell them to do it first, then go in and back up their "My Documents" and "Favorites" folders, along with any e-mail archives they may have. If it's for a high-profile person, go ahead and do a quick search for *.doc, just to make sure they don't save important documents anywhere else. Assuming the customer knows how to do a proper backup can be a dangerous thing to do...
@cmizWhen did I say formatting was a bad idea?? I realize it can be good in some cases (again, to repair bad sectors on a hard drive) but I find it much more interesting to use 2-3 hours removing a malicious piece of software, then to spend more time formatting/installing and re-configuring windows. I think you'll learn a lot more if you followed that route.
You all seem ridiculous, flaming for nothing. You'd better check your sources before speaking. Yeah longhorn alpha was out, and it was not even the 1st. About DLing it, it's not a problem when you know a ftp server where each alpha is released the day it's out.
I carry with me a windows xp, vista and windows 7 cd. some techs starting off dont realize you can use your own cds to reinstall their operating system. you just use their product keys. it dont matter which cd they use. most people wont have their restore cd on hand.but of course if they have their restore disk or restore feature. it saves time on installing drivers. most of the time just repairing the windows installation will fix the computer from not booting up. good thing to have is a copy of SLAX linux from <a class="user" href="http://slax.org" rel="nofollow">http://slax.org</a> . what makes slax linux special it fits on one cd. and is able to read NTFS file structure. you can boot up with it and drag all files to a usb external drive or flash drive.another cd I carry is a tool disk. has tools like. ccleaner, hijackthis, malware bytes, avira anti virus, partition tools, memory tester. scandisk. tools to permantly delete files. and tools too recover accidently deleted files. like testdisk. and various other tools.I also carry a cd to remove any windows username password. in case someone forgot their password.have with me my laptop with crossover cable. in case theres alot of files to backup. or to recover alot of files. i carry my flash drive and a external harddrive.I sometimes back everyones settings up and restore the computer back to how it was. most of the time if you just say ill back up all your files and restore the computer to when you first purchased it. they are happy. I usually charge alittle more if they want all their settings back the same.then i copy there email accounts and save emails. windows theme backup, my documents and i ask them if they have any other storage folders. 80% the time someone always forgets atleast 1 file that they wanted. so i just use a program to retrieve deleted items.I would say 1 out of 15 computers I get for windows software issues I have to format it.stock to keep would be a couple harddrives. various popular ram chips, few power supplies. couple routers.helpful tools to have on hand is pci post tester with psu test, ethernet pinger, anti static wrist strap, voltage tester a few times the breaker was thrown keeping the computer from turning on. always test socket before replacing a psu.keep tools and supplies on hand for running network cables and making patch cables & making ethernet jacks.and I agree with the one guy. ask as many questions as you can before you even get to the clients house. you will be prepared. but still sometimes someone will say they tried something and they dident do it right. then when you figure it out. it makes them feel stupid. then you have to tell them some dumb ass story you have of something stupid I did. my usual story is me leaving my usb external drive connected to a clients computer as i did a format. it installed windows to my external drive =(. testdisk saved my life at that point.I also agree be social with the people. last job i was on I drank a few beers with the guy. and talked about all kinds of bs. be friendly. dress nice. and you will get a returning customer. and possibly word of mouth to their friends and family. = more clients.I post ad's on craigslist, posterboards in stores and shopping centers. I dont have any workers to help me so i dont post in the paper. or post in the phone book. I can barely keep up what I got now.if you have any questions or comments leave me a email on my email form at<a class="user" href="http://www.dittmerdan.net/contact.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.dittmerdan.net/contact.htm</a>
Thanks for the write up, was really helpful 2 me. I will like to get to know more, how can I contact you ? your email did not show. Here is my email, (andymore007 at yahoo dot com) pls contact me, I need to know more.
To be honest vista is not worth argueing over. its really not even worth bringing up. it was a total waste of time and money. atleast the gui was carried over to windows 7 about the only thing good out of the whole mess. its not even worth the time it took you guys to type out a response.or is this just one of those my CPU is bigger then your CPU childish games. because I have a dual core in my cell phone, thats how high tech my s*** istop that
Sorry Man but claiming to work for Geek Squad is not the way to make your point....GS makes their money on the ignorance of their customers by charging too much for the work provided and not educating the customer as to any other options, settings, or additional maintenance needed as a preventative measure. From a 25+ year Multi-Certified Technician this article is actually quite good......
tranixNov 2, 2006
> " Formatting is never an option. "Virus/Spyware is usually their problem, and to counter today's newest viruses, reformatting is often all you can do.
jakobrowningNov 2, 2006
I hate to say it but this is sort of a "duh" article. Granted it does include very helpful tips about how to be a good/professional tech, but to be perfectly honest it's all just stuff you'd read in the company handbook anyway. I know, I know, this applies more to independently contracted techs or people starting their own tech service/store, but those people probably worked for some comp tech company at some point so they would have read the same general company handbook as well.
dhughesNov 2, 2006
I would add, mistakes by you the technician can and will happen no matter how good you are no one is perfect, everyone has a bad day. It's embarrassing but you will make a mistake and delete something or damage something. Learn to deal with it and move on.
lowbatterysoundNov 2, 2006
For the most part, the client wants their computer to look and feel the same way as it did before the technician optimizes their system. It's like when you take your car to get worked on and all the mirrors have been moved and the radio stations have been reset. The difference is that it takes a lot longer to get the computer back to it's previous state.It comes down to efficiency. Will it take longer to: reformat and reconfigure the clients computer to suit their needs or take the time to fix the issues that are causing problems and not have to migrate their data, programs and settings?
lbeaty1981Nov 2, 2006
A trick I learned during my desktop support days is to always back up a customer's data personally before doing a reformat. Tell them to do it first, then go in and back up their "My Documents" and "Favorites" folders, along with any e-mail archives they may have. If it's for a high-profile person, go ahead and do a quick search for *.doc, just to make sure they don't save important documents anywhere else. Assuming the customer knows how to do a proper backup can be a dangerous thing to do...
Closed AccountNov 2, 2006
You're an idiot.
sandfishNov 3, 2006
@cmizWhen did I say formatting was a bad idea?? I realize it can be good in some cases (again, to repair bad sectors on a hard drive) but I find it much more interesting to use 2-3 hours removing a malicious piece of software, then to spend more time formatting/installing and re-configuring windows. I think you'll learn a lot more if you followed that route.
krazubuJul 5, 2007
You all seem ridiculous, flaming for nothing. You'd better check your sources before speaking. Yeah longhorn alpha was out, and it was not even the 1st. About DLing it, it's not a problem when you know a ftp server where each alpha is released the day it's out.
dittmerdanJan 19, 2010
I carry with me a windows xp, vista and windows 7 cd. some techs starting off dont realize you can use your own cds to reinstall their operating system. you just use their product keys. it dont matter which cd they use. most people wont have their restore cd on hand.but of course if they have their restore disk or restore feature. it saves time on installing drivers. most of the time just repairing the windows installation will fix the computer from not booting up. good thing to have is a copy of SLAX linux from <a class="user" href="http://slax.org" rel="nofollow">http://slax.org</a> . what makes slax linux special it fits on one cd. and is able to read NTFS file structure. you can boot up with it and drag all files to a usb external drive or flash drive.another cd I carry is a tool disk. has tools like. ccleaner, hijackthis, malware bytes, avira anti virus, partition tools, memory tester. scandisk. tools to permantly delete files. and tools too recover accidently deleted files. like testdisk. and various other tools.I also carry a cd to remove any windows username password. in case someone forgot their password.have with me my laptop with crossover cable. in case theres alot of files to backup. or to recover alot of files. i carry my flash drive and a external harddrive.I sometimes back everyones settings up and restore the computer back to how it was. most of the time if you just say ill back up all your files and restore the computer to when you first purchased it. they are happy. I usually charge alittle more if they want all their settings back the same.then i copy there email accounts and save emails. windows theme backup, my documents and i ask them if they have any other storage folders. 80% the time someone always forgets atleast 1 file that they wanted. so i just use a program to retrieve deleted items.I would say 1 out of 15 computers I get for windows software issues I have to format it.stock to keep would be a couple harddrives. various popular ram chips, few power supplies. couple routers.helpful tools to have on hand is pci post tester with psu test, ethernet pinger, anti static wrist strap, voltage tester a few times the breaker was thrown keeping the computer from turning on. always test socket before replacing a psu.keep tools and supplies on hand for running network cables and making patch cables & making ethernet jacks.and I agree with the one guy. ask as many questions as you can before you even get to the clients house. you will be prepared. but still sometimes someone will say they tried something and they dident do it right. then when you figure it out. it makes them feel stupid. then you have to tell them some dumb ass story you have of something stupid I did. my usual story is me leaving my usb external drive connected to a clients computer as i did a format. it installed windows to my external drive =(. testdisk saved my life at that point.I also agree be social with the people. last job i was on I drank a few beers with the guy. and talked about all kinds of bs. be friendly. dress nice. and you will get a returning customer. and possibly word of mouth to their friends and family. = more clients.I post ad's on craigslist, posterboards in stores and shopping centers. I dont have any workers to help me so i dont post in the paper. or post in the phone book. I can barely keep up what I got now.if you have any questions or comments leave me a email on my email form at<a class="user" href="http://www.dittmerdan.net/contact.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.dittmerdan.net/contact.htm</a>
andymore0007Jul 2, 2011
Thanks for the write up, was really helpful 2 me. I will like to get to know more, how can I contact you ? your email did not show. Here is my email, (andymore007 at yahoo dot com) pls contact me, I need to know more.
dittmerdanFeb 1, 2010
To be honest vista is not worth argueing over. its really not even worth bringing up. it was a total waste of time and money. atleast the gui was carried over to windows 7 about the only thing good out of the whole mess. its not even worth the time it took you guys to type out a response.or is this just one of those my CPU is bigger then your CPU childish games. because I have a dual core in my cell phone, thats how high tech my s*** istop that
wallingfordrApr 19, 2010
Sorry Man but claiming to work for Geek Squad is not the way to make your point....GS makes their money on the ignorance of their customers by charging too much for the work provided and not educating the customer as to any other options, settings, or additional maintenance needed as a preventative measure. From a 25+ year Multi-Certified Technician this article is actually quite good......