A Question, opinions and advice wanted.

[indianacarnie]

I have a very good friend who is pretty much computer illiterate. (And almost seems proud of that fact). I spent many many hours over many days getting his machine back in working order a couple of weeks ago. One of the worst infected machines I've ever seen. Totally unusable due to adware/malware. I mean totally unusable too. I installed my usual malware programs and Avast when I finally got it in working order. Showed him how to run them and when. Told him/explained some facts about downloading and what to watch out for.

Now, today I get his machine back and its filled to the brim with babylon, incredibar, conduit, claro and more too numerous to mention. "I don't know nothing about computers" is what I heard.

My question is : At what point do I just say...... you're on your own? This isn't the second or even the third time I've spent hours and days fixing his machine either. I'm starting to feel .......... almost taken advantage of if that makes any sense. He steadfastly refuses to try or listen to what I say pertaining to keeping his machine safe. As long as he can stay on facebook and watch porn he's happy. When his machine gets to the point where he can't do those two things he brings it to me saying "I don't know nothing about computers". This is one of my oldest friends who's still alive and I'm afraid this cavalier attitude to ....... my labor if nothing else ...... is starting to bother me.

So... advice? Opinions?

 

[Brink]

Hello Scott,

This is tough situation since it's one of your oldest friends.

You might consider explaining to him that if you are going to have to repair his computer everytime you turn around due to his lack of caring about basic security and maintenance, that you're going to have to charge him for your time since it takes a lot of it.

To make it not feel like such a shock to him, you could say that since are good friends you would not charge him full professional rates, and ask him to check out how much it would cost for Best Buy or other computer shops to do the work you do for him. For example $250 for a simple reinstall of Windows. He may be quite shocked how much it would have cost him, and hopefully be more appreciative of what you do for him, and may even start taking better care of his PC.

 

[The Howling Wolves]

Scott,
Since my wife and I moved into a Senior development I was nominated as the computer geek for 14 of my (mailbox) neighbors. After helping most of them I had enough or their carelessness and told them that I am not a certified tech and if anything goes wrong again I won't be liable or willing to fix it.
Gave them the number of Best Buy's Geek Squad and other vender's who have certified tech's.

Since this discussion took place I have not had one phone call from them to fix their computer's . The good news is we are are still the best of friends.
Good luck with yours.
THW

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Have him pay for a SSD and you image that drive after the next clean install, all updates and software. You then keep it and when he's infected again wipe his drive and image from the SSD over Cadillac margarita's !

 

[indianacarnie]

Good idea! I'm not shy , you can't be in my business , but Frank is about the last of the last of my old friends which makes it hard. I'll make a point to have him go with me to MIT Computers next time I go, they are CRAZY expensive! Thank you.

 

[indianacarnie]

Scott,
Since my wife and I moved into a Senior development I was nominated as the computer geek for 14 of my (mailbox) neighbors. After helping most of them I had enough or their carelessness and told them that I am not a certified tech and if anything goes wrong again I won't be liable or willing to fix it.
Gave them the number of Best Buy's Geek Squad and other vender's who have certified tech's.

Since this discussion took place I have not had one phone call from them to fix their computer's . The good news is we are are still the best of friends.
Good luck with yours.
THW

Thank you, thats a good Idea! It does help that I'll be heading back out pretty soon. Work two major fairs then off for another month or so. Can give him the number(s) so he can see for himself.

Have him pay for a SSD and you image that drive after the next clean install, all updates and software. You then keep it and when he's infected again wipe his drive and image from the SSD over Cadillac margarita's !

I like that too!

 

[Fantail]

Next visit should cost him 40$.
That should cover a malwarebytes-pro licence and a 12 pack to share.

 

[smarteyeball]

So... advice? Opinions?

When he next says "I don't know about computers" you could always counter with "yes you do. You know how to break them and now is the time to really learn how not to".

At least force him away from IE onto a browser that has noscript support. Really drum into him about his browsing habits and if a porn/poker/whatever site has an .exe extension download - no matter what, do not click on the downloaded file, or if a site tells him he needs to download a viewer to watch something, then DO NOT do it - because you won't get to watch what you want anyway. Make him paranoid if need be.

For legit downloads, perhaps make him sit there and watch exactly what to do - untick check boxes, don't click,click click etc.

If that fails throw your hands up in the air and say "wow, this has got me stumped. Let's take it to the shop" and let him become scared at cost like has been suggested.

But the best suggestion so far has been to simply clone his fresh drive. It honestly sounds like education may not be applicable here.

 

[A Guy]

Install Deep Freeze or Drive Vaccine

A Guy

 

[Slartybart]

Deep Freeze $45 USD is a small price to keep your oldest friend. I charge my friends a lot more to be their friend, some of them are catching on though and now they charge me.

Install Deep Freeze or Drive Vaccine

A Guy

 

[sygnus21]

Hello Scott,

This is tough situation since it's one of your oldest friends.

You might consider explaining to him that if you are going to have to repair his computer everytime you turn around due to his lack of caring about basic security and maintenance, that you're going to have to charge him for your time since it takes a lot of it.

To make it not feel like such a shock to him, you could say that since are good friends you would not charge him full professional rates, and ask him to check out how much it would cost for Best Buy or other computer shops to do the work you do for him. For example $250 for a simple reinstall of Windows. He may be quite shocked how much it would have cost him, and hopefully be more appreciative of what you do for him, and may even start taking better care of his PC.

The above is perfect.

You might also consider that you're friend just doesn't care because he knows he has you to bail him out. As was told to me by my mother, and I to my kids.... people don't appreciate things until they have to pay for them themselves.

My daughter was like that with her car, always having me take care of it until one day I had to put my foot down. Now see takes extra care because she knows it's very costly not to do so.

And yeah, having him go by best buy and inquiring about repairs is a great idea, even if you have to drag him there yourself.

Good luck.

 

[Layback Bear]

I have had to do something along these lines with the oldest friend I had. (No longer a friend).
Explained to the friend that I couldn't keep do this every few weeks because of all the time it takes. He had a very slow and old computer so I let him watch from start to finish so he would have some idea what one has to do to clean a mess up.
I went through all the do this and don't do that training many times.
Then it came to me my friend was using me and are friendship like a rug you wipe your feet on. I just plain said no to another repair.
My so called best friend has no use for me any longer and I'm better off.
---------------
A friend never ask a friend to do something they know the friend doesn't want to do.
A friend would never put a friend in such a position.
A 30 plus year friendship ended and I still to this day think I made the right decision.

That was my call but one has to make their own call.

 

[M1GU31]

Yea that's why I charge like $50. Only one I do for free is my bros and parents. Only had one person bring it back to me again before, most are good about it and their pcs stay clean.

 

[LADYPINKtomato1]

This may well sound harsh... BUT

There comes a point in your life when you realize who really matters, who never did and who always will.

One can only be a doormat when they lie down !!!, make your choice in those bad situations.