How Much for a laptop 'Full Service'

keithsav

Hi everyone,

What would people consider a fair price for the equivalent of a 12 month service on a laptop that is running really slow and needs a lot of TLC ?

Any comments, gratefully received.

Thanks,

Keith

Omertron

Really depends on what needs to be done.

I did a check up of my Mum's PC yesterday, uninstalling 3-4 programs, updating all the software (virus checker, anti-spyware, windows update) and a defrag and that took 90 minutes.

I know that I have to do what you are asking for to my Dad's laptop and I know it'll be a full days worth of work. I'll reinstall windows and all of his applications and restore from back-up all of his settings and files.

You might want to take a read here http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20011204S0009 and see if some of the information contained can help.

nickmack

Depends how much needs to be done to it and how long it takes.

If you're charged by the hour, it could be anywhere from £10-£50/hour depending on where you go.

You could try various methods yourself, including Defragging, Downloading and installing all updates and running Anti-Spyware programs. There are a few threads on here about helping slow computers.

fairytooth

Like all things where some 'experts' have more knowledge, you are likely to get ripped off for a 'service'.

I would suggest the following before you spend ANY money: Locate Ad-Aware SE through Google and download it free. Then run it through a full, scan and be amazed at how much junk and spy ware you have collected in a year. It will also speed you up dramatically once removed.

There are also masses of other clean up tools available free from Download.com and these are fully recommended - just read some reviews then decide which you think are best.

Once you have done these 2 things and if you still have a problem consider paying someone else to 'service' your machine.

boatman

I found that ccleaner gets rid of alot of rubbish on your computer, this will probably help alot, really quick too. When you start to install the programme just leave the top 2 boxes ticked, you don't want it to install the yahoo toolbar.

http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/
Download CCleaner 1.28.277 - filehippo.com

If your running Norton then this often slows things down.

hammodt

boatman wrote:

I found that ccleaner gets rid of alot of rubbish on your computer, this will probably help alot, really quick too. When you start to install the programme just leave the top 2 boxes ticked, you don't want it to install the yahoo toolbar.

http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/
Download CCleaner 1.28.277 - filehippo.com

If your running Norton then this often slows things down.

Ironic that a computer cleaning program INSTALLS rubbish, unless you tell it not to!! :P

albertross_2

Let Microsoft do it for you for free..

http://safety.live.com/site/en-US/default.htm?s_cid=sah

(click full service scan)

If you have less than 512MB of ram, then try https://www.crucial.com, as that will have a big effect on the speed for little outlay.

RayDoyle_2

Get a copy of Micro Mart from WHSmith or the like, plenty of adverts from small independent IT companies. Stay clear of PCWorld who charge the following: 1 hours work @ £45, Health Check @ £45 & Parts @ 15% mark up!

keithsav

Thanks everyone for the replies (missing thanks button nowadays!) - I'll follow up with the links and articles

Cheers,

Keith

kevingattaca

Why not do it yourself ??? You would learn more about PC stuff, and most of the time it's not that hard ?

PLUS you don't have to hide all of those "Pictures" (Cough Cough)

We could tell you the prog's to use ?


K

Little_John

If you get really stuck bying it down to me in sunny Bolton and I will sort it out for you. and I wont mention the playoff final from a few years ago

I usually check the registry for junk startup entries to make it useable if it is really bad, check for other non required proccess that could be running, adaware scan, install an active scanner defrag ect the pc should return to almost like new operation

And if I cant get it going I can backup your data and reinstall windows and all the drivers in a few hours.