I recently saw a woman get interviewed on TV about her son-in-law. What kind of a person he was, if they were getting along and whether she approved of her daughter's choice. After an agonizingly long pause she remarked:"Well, he knows his way around computers. That can come in handy." That's the good thing about knowing your way around computers. At least you can make yourself useful every once in a while, forget about character. Computer specialists are the unsung heroes even if all they do is reboot a machine, terminate a process or perform a Flash update. Savor these moments because there's a (incredibly annoying) downside to all of this!
You love to help but what comes after?
"You put this Microsoft thing on my machine, remember? It just stopped working." Her rebuke would have been enough to silence three school classes all at once. I received her call late at night, unexpectedly, the worst case had happened. After 7 years, her operating system stopped working, naturally, I was to blame for that, morally at least. That her PC had been running smoothly for years, set up back in the days when George W. Bush was still in power and that Vista can be considered fairly obsolete by now - irrelevant. Knowing that nothing I could say would help the matter I began to ask about the symptoms. "The computer is slow, strange web sites keep popping up and it randomly turns off.". I had a vague idea that, were her PC a horse, you'd probably gladly put it out of its misery.
The desert that once was a PC case
So, I drove over to the hapless owner of that doomed system and found the usual suspects. Her antivirus program was running without a license (and without updates) for more than 3 years, the inside of her PC had been collecting enough dust for a veritable dune, her browser was buried in toolbars and - naturally - a load of dubious applications were installed that she found somewhere on the Internet that in turn had installed another load of questionable programs. Only freeware of course since she already paid "so much" for the PC. How could the machine "already" be broken? These are the moments that make you consider taking up turkey farming on Crete or joining the French Foreign legion.
A bond for life
Back in the days and with lifelong obligations, things were so much simpler. You had your overlord, not all fun and play for sure, but you knew what was coming. Today, a single call for help with the PC is enough to form a bond for life. There are PCs that I have been looking after for 12 years that are still running a meager Windows XP, practically without updates (since they only cause trouble anyway according to the owners). I have begun to manage families that complain about their printer cartridges having dried up after 3 years in auto-mode. Let's face it: even if all of them are friendly, there's always a sense of guilt, panic and pressure in the air. I love to help, that includes this blog, but then again, you won't call me late at night. Things may be different for you, so consider carefully before you offer your help!
The lifespan of good advice
Rest assured, the minute you step out the door, 50% of your advice will be forgotten already (or won't be implemented) and 49% will suffer the same fate within the next few weeks. Whether it's regular updates, changing passwords every once in a while or saving up a few cents for decent applications, none of that will happen. It's more likely the neighbor's son will come over, install pirated software and steal the WLAN password. You need to be aware of that and make the most out of it. The alternative is to pretend not to know anything about computers. Since I work for a software company, I'd have a hard time getting through with that which is why I have come up with my own strategy to protect my sanity. I'll do anything for my next of kin, everyone else pays €20 an hour. And that was the end of it. You wouldn't believe how many formerly helpless people will suddenly show some initiative.
Windows 10 is off limits
Why I'd never install Windows 10 on a PC other than my own? Simple! Some day in 2025 while I am basking in the sun on Hawaii my cellphone would start ringing. And no matter whether that person would have gotten 20 trojans on their PC, have it sweat at 50° Celsius right next to their radiator or suffer from hard disk failure - there would be that reproachful voice again. I'd be told that my Windows 10 was causing trouble, keeping "daddy from printing out immensely important documents for his club". They'd make it sound like a national emergency and I'd neither get to enjoy the fine weather, the palm trees or the beach. So, no Windows 10. And I'll start introducing myself as a truck driver from now on.
Author's note: Since my boss is standing right next to me with my contract slowly being devoured by flames and ready to flog me, I'd like to add that Ashampoo AntiVirus, WinOptimizer and many other Ashampoo products can help protect and clean your PC. I thought you already knew. :)
Hawaii picture = Rolf Hilchner (Ashampoo founder)
I've been doing this for more than 15 years, and the best piece of advice I can give is what I do. Whenever I set up a computer for a friend or family member, we have "The Talk". I explain that while they might think that their new computer is like a pencil (they just use it and it works), it's really much more like a car. It requires maintenance. They wouldn't blame the dealership if they never changed the oil and their engine ceased, would they?
And I too tell them when they call, that if I find that it's something they did, it will cost. That usually weeds out everyone except parents. :->
Had to add to my previous post to include this. Pnce you work on someones PC, especially a friend or family member always install a copy of TeamViewer. ESPECIALLY if they live pretty far away. Then you can gain remote access and fix most common problems. Won't help if it wont boot though but you might get in using safe mode. Not positive Teamviewer works in safe mode, I haven't tried it, but worth a shot.
Also wanted to mention I also love my AShampoo software, I dont have every one but own every one that I have use for. Probably about 85% of there products.
AShampoo takes care of the loyal customers better than any other co. I‘ve done bussines with. They offer great deals to loyal customers, especially when you have purchased a liscense and need to up-grade.
Plus all ther programs work very well together and enhance the features of each other.
Great Company Highly recommend them
I totally agree with your article. I n my country, I've been assembling and installing PCs for well over 16 years and I can bear witness to scenarios mimicking yours to the letter.
One of the worst things about this are the expectations from the legacy clients. Despite their systems being antiquated, they somehow insist that it should still run, in some cases 6-8 years later, because they paid "so much money" for it back in the day. Never mind that in that same time frame they might have changed cars 2 or 3 times, or bought cellphones that dwarfed the cost of their PC and also changed them out as soon as a newer model appeared (a dig at the iSheep out there), somehow the PC has to outlast all of them and perform like if it just came out of the box too!
Thank you for making me feel better. I was at my neighbor's house when she told me her PC was broken and she needed a new one. She said she had been fighting with the cable company (Comcast) because they were charging her even though she had not been able to access the Internet for months.
The PC was on and appeared to be working. I cleaned out her temp files, then tried to figure out what was wrong with her connection. Well, after crawling under the desk and rooting around amidst a tangle of cords, I found a DSL modem and wifi router, and an unconnected Ethernet cable.
It took me another 20 minutes to find the incoming cable which was DSL, not Comcast. The neighbor insisted that was not the correct cable, so I left and everything remained just as it had been.
Oh well.
My motto: "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. " :)
To save us all bothering experts like you, how about your views on the big question please?
Windows 10? How about telling us if we should upgrade? Is it as good as they claim? Will I lose some of my programs and data - eg Outlook and the contents of my past emails.
Great idea! :)
feels like you wrote my life story,
had fun reading.
thanx
I agree. I have a friend ? who phoned t her computer was not working properly. When I arrived i saw that the laptop Keys were ALL held in place by 4 strips of sellotape. When I mentioned this she said " yes , my cats pulled them off when sharpening their claws.!! " This is a true statement.
When the keys were put back intheir right places they did work, after a fashion, but she is still cross because I have not got it working as well as it used to.
You can't win in some situations.
Mike Tubb.
A great article Sven, and when one is blamed for the computer not booting.......the first question I ask, "Is the main power switch on..?"
The silence is deafening!
Sven, brace yourself, this will follow you to the grave! I retired from my computing life when I was 60 (14 years ago) but I still get harassed by some of my surviving friends and clients. Two un-announced address changes and unlisted phones have no effect! Do NOT get buried with your cell phone or tablet...
Pete Bailey, Australia.
They will find a way to contact me in heaven, I suppose....
So true. I can see you talk from experience. I hope everyone takes note.
Thanks
Keep ém rolling !
Boy, Am I glad to see this article. It's like a wake up call whereas me tend to help others with their computer problems. One neighbor I went to was having some problems and ask me to help fix them. I did and not too long after, I was getting phone calls from this person most everyday with something else. It seems not only did he no nothing about computers, I would sometimes spend another hour or two helping out. What did I get in return? Nothing! Even if I was offered a few $$, I would always say, I know you and not going to charge you. That was mistake number 1. I also told him that I am not going to jump and keep fixing his computer. Oh, I did install a virus checker as had none. I was wondering why he did all kind of transactions on line and not have any protection. It was fortunate he wasn't hacked.
Just about a week ago, another neighbor asked me to check out her computer. Since I liked this person and she also was part of the community we live in, I couldn't refuse. Not only was the computer a imac which I was not familiar with as I have been a PC fan all my life, I think I should have rejected fixing it. I still wish I had an Apple computer. It seemed that there was only a blue screen and I couldn't boot up. On a PC, it probably be the dreaded BSOD. Fortunately, she had the disks and proceeded to reinstall her OS. It worked to a degree but some glitch with her printer somehow make the computer to hang up. I decided to call Apple support and spent four hours with him. He was very nice and tried to help in anyway he could. The problem was that contact was interrupted from time to time using a cell. Communication here with a cell is poor and calls are dropped. It got to the point I was getting tired and after talking to 4 techs, it got to the point that we were not getting anywhere. Finally after several updates to her OS, everything seem to be working and to alleviate the glitch, I said just put into sleep mode. I talked to her a few days later and she was hacked. She brought into Apple and had it fixed. Guess what? I couldn't understand why there was no virus checker when I looked at it and installed a good free one. I basically had a hard time with her computer because it was a learning experience for me.
Before I end this rather long story, I did own way in the past the Apple IIe, One of the first Apples. Later on I also had the original Imac with had the 9" screen and no color but it was so great and that is when I was introduced to graphics which the original IBM didn't have. Although I am experienced with computers, I have saved myself thousands of dollars fixing it myself. What I don't understand is why can the user at least learn the basics of computers so they can make the necessary ajustments. Of what I found is that many people I have talked to, no nothing about their equipment. I always advise them that there is on line support and not cost anything from the manufacturer and other resources on line including searching them out on the search engines. I am going to pretend that I don't know anything about computers and not get involved fixing other peoples problems. Not only does it take time but anything that goes wrong, it would seem that I would be responsible. I think that anyone who tried to fix other computers, not to do it and not worth it.
LOVE your story & oh how so true.
I am by no means an expert on computers, but have managed over the years to learn some basics through trial and error. Straightening out the error part more ofter than not turned out to terror.
On a few occasions I have been asked by friends to look at their machine to see why it was working t a snails pace, along with other long descriptions of symptoms in frantic detail.
Trying to be helpful I did fix a lot of the issues with the computers, and what you say in your article is so true. I would say that in almost all cases the computers were loaded with all kinds of crap that came along with freeware and in quite a few cases the hard drive looked like a rat's nest.
Only on one occasion did I have someone call me back about six months later, telling me that what I fixed was no longer working. It was a simple fix, all that was needed was to unzip a file that they downloaded. And VOILA!!! all was right with the world again.
I truly appreciate your article, and you point out exactly the reason(s) I stay away from getting to involved with "fixing" things.
You are well qualified in this field, and your expertise carries a lot of credibility. I am not qualified, and my expertise is from the school of hard knocks, and I prefer handling my own self created knocks.
Thanks for a terrific article.
So true, it seems if you add a part or fix a friend or family members PC once, then they feel like you owe them tech support for life. Especiaaly if you add a hard drive or upgrade the OS, then its "well was slow but it worked good before you worked on it" so you feel obligated to go clean all the maleware and junk off it.
Try searching Google and forums first. But often the only thing you can do is go fix it for them, or say sure but its $75 per hour. If you charge people tend to pay more attention buy appropiate software,.and try to learn themselves.
win.8 is verry good Ashampoo studio good
You are right on the money ! ! I've learned to plead ignorance when anyone asks me for advice ! ! !
P.S.
I LOVE Ashampoo products, must, since I have and use most of them.
My sympathies go out to you.
Part of my career was in PC support, and while I did not get the "my cup-holder just disappeared" problem, my favorite is when I had to get a copy of a file off of a non-networked computer. The lady who 'owned' that PC had spent all week typing up a document and it was time to review it, so I brought a floppy disk (Floppy disk: ancient data storage device, precursor to the usb stick) with me, put it in and transferred a copy of the file onto it. Easy, right? The woman would not let me take the disk back with me! She said it was the only copy of her file and she was not going to let it out of her sight, so put it back. Right. Now.
Which I did, and I showed her the file was still on her PC, then quietly took the copied disk and left. She never did figure out how the boss got a copy before she printed it out and hand-delivered it.
Also a friend once had a PC problem as you described above, dusty, virused, OLD; I replaced the entire system with new hardware only slightly better than her old, kept the drives and reinstalled the OS, and never told her - "dust" I said; that way I bought myself years of relief from more calls.
I no longer admit any knowledge at all about those machine things. Best of luck.
I know the feeling: at 85 years old my family think I have lived long enough to have learned all there is to know about everything. Most things I can cope with or know a man who can but I have lived long enough with computers from the spectrum to now to know that I should be grateful to people at Ashampoo who have kept me afloat for quite a few years now and long may they continue to do so. Ashampoo is one of the few secrets I keep from my wife. I can't bear to tell her that there are those who know more than me about something !!!!
Well blow me down i just became a truck driver too.
I love helping family and friend's out with their computers and have for the last 15 yrs and i have been rang at night as you have only to find a blind man could have fixed the problem if they had taken the time to learn a bit about the computer.
One thing i have learnt by fixing family and friends computers is were there been as they know nothing about history ,so i do give them lessons as well .
PS .Like the Blog Sven
Teamviewer goes a long way for me. My mom is in Idaho, I'm in New Mexico, and darned if I don't update her computer for her still. But these days, I do it all remotely. And yes, we both run Ashampoo Anti-Virus.
Good advice. Unfortunately it's difficult to avoid helping out friends and relations. I have to attempt to help out my sister-in-law in Brazil sometimes, on her Windows 8.1 laptop, in Portuguese. Try working out what the diagnosis is without having a copy of Windows on Portuguese in front of you! "There's a thingy popped up in the corner, so what do I do with it?" and so on.