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This is why I use a Mac!
- Thread starter dontwalkhand
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I guess I left out the most important points in this story:
The client explicitly told me he DID NOT want Windows re-installed, (Which is why I wanted to do a Windows.old installation) fearing that some files may accidentally have been skipped...he is the type to save documents all over the entire computer, rather than putting in the Documents library, etc. (For example, for some reason, he would save a document directly on the root C drive).
He explicitly said he ONLY wanted this cleaned out. I have ran Malwarebytes and SAS while it was in Safe Mode with NO Networking. Malwarebytes picked up 3, while SAS picked up over 400.
The client was VERY specific with what he wanted done, so he got what he got. Had it been my decision entirely, I would've just nuked it.
Also, I didn't go around telling him he should buy a Mac or anything, I was very professional in the way I had handled this, and having to drive over an hour to fix it for free because he re-opened the attachment that had a virus, is what I was irked about.
The client explicitly told me he DID NOT want Windows re-installed, (Which is why I wanted to do a Windows.old installation) fearing that some files may accidentally have been skipped...he is the type to save documents all over the entire computer, rather than putting in the Documents library, etc. (For example, for some reason, he would save a document directly on the root C drive).
He explicitly said he ONLY wanted this cleaned out. I have ran Malwarebytes and SAS while it was in Safe Mode with NO Networking. Malwarebytes picked up 3, while SAS picked up over 400.
The client was VERY specific with what he wanted done, so he got what he got. Had it been my decision entirely, I would've just nuked it.
Also, I didn't go around telling him he should buy a Mac or anything, I was very professional in the way I had handled this, and having to drive over an hour to fix it for free because he re-opened the attachment that had a virus, is what I was irked about.
Yep same opinion...This^^^
You clearly don't know anything about Windows computers.
Also for the future, when you are removing malware and the likes you always boot into safe mode [with networking or without, your choice].
My suggestion would be to install Avast and Malwarebytes AntiMalware [Malwarebytes can run with many anti malware program].
And make sure to tell your clients to run these things every week or so, so they could hopefully be like "oh right I have to run the anti malware stuff" and keep them out of trouble.
And like others are saying, this is no reason to say that Macs > Windows PC...
There are foolish mac users as well as foolish windows users... there is no reason to bash on either one of htem. They both are awesome in their own ways
Exactly my thoughts! 9 hours? Really? Searching for, downloading and "experimenting" with tools that should have already been part of an experienced consultants arsenal? Driving an hour to meet the client when all of that could have been done remotely? And then didn't even complete the job?
I just cleaned up a very similar (almost identical) scenario for a client whose office is 20 minutes away. I never left my office, and was done with the job in just over an hour.
Many years ago when I was still in a learning curve, I would bill clients for time spent on their projects, but I would never bill them for my "learning time". If a job should take an hour, but it took me 3 because I was learning how to do something, I always billed just the hour. Clients are paying for my services, not my education.
Also, I never complain about what it takes for me to do a job. I'm always grateful for the business. I've had clients screw things up right after I fixed them and pay to have me fix it again. Great! Repeat business!
Final thought: If more people switched from Windows to Mac, I'd have a lot less business!
Ouch... way to slap him around back and forth at least 5-6 times. All he was doing was speaking of his experience - from his point of view, he was happy that he hasn't faced such problems with his mac. You just came in and turned the entire situation upside down... please do not do that.
It sounds like you don't have the right tools to do your job - and therefore your story makes it sound like you hate your job.
Most IT techs have a simple test bench ready to go. If you had this in place, you could've hooked up the HDD via SATA and copied the files over within minutes, not hours.
I also suggest using HijackThis and Malwarebytes. I removed pretty much the exact same virus from a machine last week, and it only took me about an hour. (including the time it took to backup the HDD prior to starting)
Most IT techs have a simple test bench ready to go. If you had this in place, you could've hooked up the HDD via SATA and copied the files over within minutes, not hours.
I also suggest using HijackThis and Malwarebytes. I removed pretty much the exact same virus from a machine last week, and it only took me about an hour. (including the time it took to backup the HDD prior to starting)
It's only a matter of time before we start getting those awful viruses too...
Being a previous Windows user, there is an excellent anti-malware program called 'Malwarebytes' that IMO is better than Super-Anti-Spyware..do check it out if you ever need to clean viruses again.
Second this. Malwarebytes has saved me on many occasions.
I read this and thought "Wow, you are the reason people bring their computers to me!"
I do consulting work for large corporations, small businesses, and regular people who have computer problems. I am just shocked at what you were doing. The best part was when you tried to install Windows 7 over an infected version of Windows! Regardless of space issues, how did you ever believe this was an acceptable method of repair?
Not everyone is able (or capable) of doing computer repair work and I think you might be best to stick with Mac. While Macs have their share of problems it is not usually as complicated as Windows.
Finally, bashing Windows/Microsoft for issues that you could not resolve because you lacked the experience or knowledge is not really fair to Microsoft.
-P
Windows holds the Market share because Windows based PCs are cheap ... same reason you see more economy cars than luxury cars
That's part of it, but you're over simplifying things here. You identified one reason they hold market share in terms of consumer purchases. PCs can still be better integrated into corporate environments and serviced on site. Macs still require basic maintenance and repair. The issues you avoid are primarily related to malware.
In the PC market segment, Windows has always been a better gaming platform. Apple always treated that area as an after thought, so it's better for those guys too. Basically a Mac is a reasonably good solution for those who can both afford and work within the constraints of a mini or macbook air/pro lineup. The mac pro only makes sense for those who need its functionality for work. The imac is a heavily dated design that's surviving from people who are turning to it due to a lack of other desktop solutions. If you do want the Apple display, it comes out a little better in price to specs ratio than a mini + thunderbolt display. I don't know if the thunderbolt display has better longevity than virtually every post G4 imac display I've seen (ironically the G4 actually had a reasonably nice display years ago before they went to TN for a while, the main problem with the newer ones is that they look good initially, but age poorly).
You seem to have a professional demeanor. I applaud you for not resorting to condescending and holier-than-though arguments...
Yes, of course I do backups but restoring a Mac is a quicker and simpler process because the backup system is baked into the OS.
1. Google instructions on how to remove virus
2. Install Microsoft Security Essentials and scan
3. Do something productive up instead of writing a senseless rant
4. Install latest windows updates
This does not take 9 hours. Maybe 3-4 tops if you know what you're doing
2. Install Microsoft Security Essentials and scan
3. Do something productive up instead of writing a senseless rant
4. Install latest windows updates
This does not take 9 hours. Maybe 3-4 tops if you know what you're doing
Well, Win7 has a back and restore function baked in as well; but that's not relevant to your original point that Windows restores take 4X+ as long. There are plenty of tools that make restoring Win machines easier and quicker; and a proper backup plan, combined with good imaging means it can be done quickly as well. Been there, done that.
While I use TM for the "Damn. Everything screwed up. Need a full restore" possibility; I find it limiting in that you can't recover a selected file unless you add 3rd party tools. So, I use Sync Pro to backup critical data since I can easily retrieve a file (or archived version if its changed) as well as move files to another machine and resync later with my main one. So while TM is nice, it's not a complete solution either in many cases.
While I am obviously an OS X fan, the argument that it has better backup and restore functionality is simply wrong.
What a great post! Very informative and non judgmental......The good news is you have some choices.
Based on your post perhaps you would be much better at repairing Macs.
In today's economy most people are happy to have a job.
Posting on a Mac forum about your blatant distaste for Windows reveals more about you than anything else.
Remember it's just a computer. Not everyone has the patience.
I happen to prefer Macs, but for a far different reason. I also use PC's and find both platforms quite useful.
Finally let's not forget the PC you worked on was obviously a mess. That's a reflection of the user. Given a Mac, he or she could have also made a mess of it.
It's as easy as that
I too use both Macs and Win machines and they both have uses. They are machines for us to use.
On my friends Macbook, a dead HD meant his system was out of action for 2 weeks while Apple repaired it. On my Windows system, Windows Backup reduces that to way less than 2 hours (Personal experience with my backed up system image on an external HDD.
Swings and round-abouts my friend. Had you planned accordingly with your PC, it would have been down only as long as your Macs. I've had plenty of issues with Macs, I use Windows because it's the OS I feel most at home with, and I have enough common sense to spot malware before it hits me, and a free Anti-Virus in place incase I slip up.
i speed read through your annoyingly long post about how macs are better than pc's and it seems to me that most users (even on macs) just dont know how to maintain a computer. windows or mac is not the problem in 90% of these issues, its the users who cause these problems. malware is not to blame either, if you know what your doing you can get rid of that too.
So he didn't respond, I thought it was all A-OK, until morning of New Years Day (The client has no respect that this was a holiday, and decided to text me this
"It is the same thing as before. No internet with message to purchase 2012 antivirus package. Please repair"....I was steamed, as this was a day that I was supposed to spend time with my friends, family, and girlfriend. I was steamed at the fact that he had no respect that this was a holiday.
Does this client have pictures of you in bed with livestock or something? Any texts I got on January 1 went unanswered, plain and simple.
So far nothing specific to Windows, this can easily happen on a Mac...
This is where it gets me. You're the one who is fixing this person's computer, and it sounds like this is a business you run, either on the side or as your primary income. It is YOUR responsibility to have the tools you need. If you don't have a FW800 drive dock and an external FW800 HDD for copying client files, you have no one to complain to except yourself. These are basic tools you need to do this kind of work. I'm starting a similar business with a friend and there is no way we're going to start without a high quality docking station and a 2 TB external drive.
Also, even if the Compaq had TDM, you still couldn't work on it...
FOUR HOURS LATER...AGAIN...The scan finished, but ONLY at the very end did it say, the Free version of this software can only DETECT but not remove. So wait a minute? I have already wasted 9 hours on this computer....for $80
It wouldn't have been hard for you to find this information out first, sounds like you were just going to fast.
Sounds like you mostly have issues with a poor client and a stinky virus. Viruses/malware suck, no getting around it, but quite a few of these problems were created by yourself as well. I can see how you could have saved about 6 hours in the process just by providing the faster connections and figuring out beforehand that the software was paid, not free.
I like Mac more than Windows for sure, but posts like this that bash Windows for reasons not its fault annoy me as well.
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All excellent points except this one. The virus knocked out the client's ability to connect to the internet, which makes it difficult to connect remotely. Of course, it is possible that the virus simply closed some ports, in which case remote access might have worked, but might have not.
Firstly I am no computer expert, but it seems that the OP is not either. So why he is fixing 'clients' computers is a mystery to me.
Secondly, and this is to the people that say viruses and malfunctions are a result of the user not the computer. . . . . . . For years my mum had PCs and every time I would go and visit her, her PC would be crawling along at a snails pace from boot up to shut down in every operation (despite trips to her very established PC man every 6 months).
3 years ago I gave/set her up with my year old MacBook. She uses the net, email, calendars, contacts, iPhoto, word, etc and she uses it thoroughly. And despite no maintanance at all (apart from one or two quick and smooth OS updates by me) she still has a computer that runs perfectly!
She has no computer maintanance skills or understanding.
This from MY EXPERIENCE is the exact reason Macs are more haste free than PCs.
Secondly, and this is to the people that say viruses and malfunctions are a result of the user not the computer. . . . . . . For years my mum had PCs and every time I would go and visit her, her PC would be crawling along at a snails pace from boot up to shut down in every operation (despite trips to her very established PC man every 6 months).
3 years ago I gave/set her up with my year old MacBook. She uses the net, email, calendars, contacts, iPhoto, word, etc and she uses it thoroughly. And despite no maintanance at all (apart from one or two quick and smooth OS updates by me) she still has a computer that runs perfectly!
She has no computer maintanance skills or understanding.
This from MY EXPERIENCE is the exact reason Macs are more haste free than PCs.
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It's only a matter of time before we start getting those awful viruses too...
Being a previous Windows user, there is an excellent anti-malware program called 'Malwarebytes' that IMO is better than Super-Anti-Spyware..do check it out if you ever need to clean viruses again.
I have used Malwarebytes Antimalware program many times to fix friends pc's. It is a fantastic (and free!) program. +1
High school graduation...
Child #1 wanted a Dell for college,
Child #2 wanted a MacBook.
Child #1 comes home the most to see us (Mainly so Dad can rid her Dell of all the crap).
Rarely does Child #2 come home anymore. Mom blames Apple.
Child #1 wanted a Dell for college,
Child #2 wanted a MacBook.
Child #1 comes home the most to see us (Mainly so Dad can rid her Dell of all the crap).
Rarely does Child #2 come home anymore. Mom blames Apple.
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I personally think that the best antivirus for your client is common sense and premium antivirus. If he doesn't open up attachments or download infected stuff then he won't get viruses and even if he does, he will get the protection he needs with a good antivirus.
Just thought I'd share this with you guys.
I personally think that the best antivirus for your client is common sense and premium antivirus. If he doesn't open up attachments or download infected stuff then he won't get viruses and even if he does, he will get the protection he needs with a good antivirus.
Just thought I'd share this with you guys.
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