viruses

[Connemmara]

A pc fella was here and brought my computer back saying there was a virus because I did have problems with it conking out. However he charged me £70 - he removed a virus in January and I think he charged me then £50 - cant really remember. I do think these computer men like mechanics can charge what they like. Was £70 a lot to pay. Thanks for any answers.

[VHG]

I doubt if a virus would cause the computer to "conk out".

Hard to know if it did have a virus or not, it is very easy for a PC repair person to say anything as it is hard to "prove" what was wrong with a computer.

I would say £20 an hour is reasonable so £70 should mean he worked on it for over 3 hours.

[carlton23]

Mine just cost £55.00 for two and a half hours, and I think it was worth it.

[wildwood]

Did this person initially contact you, or did you contact him/her. If the first then I small a rat.

[Connemmara]

No I dont introduce any porn etc - just my usual stuff email account - online banking etc - nothing - I asked questions but he could not answer them just said they happen on new computers too. no definite answers how viruses get it - wont be getting him again. He was too indefinite indiisive - no answers for £70 I would like more answers. Easy money for him too. But really I dont have that kind of money. Next time I will have to shop around.

[carlton23]

If you live in Bournemouth I can give you my I`T` mans mobile number.

[dizmouk2009]

I've been working with computers for 15 years and I would seriously have to question why you were charged that sum of money. Like people have said previously it is easy to turn fact into fiction. Most viruses are simple to remove, nothing more than 10 minutes work. Sometimes there are viruses that aren't so simple to remove so formatting and reinstalling software is just far easier.... Backing up a 500GB HDD to a 3rd party machine and formatting the computer is only an hour process, I don't care what anyone says, it just doesn't take 3 hours. I've never charged for repairing laptops/desktops and even then it only takes the same amount of time. You've been shafted mate.

[Connemmara]

thanks dizmouk - knew I was shafted - just felt it. Would you have a good honest IT man in Belfast, Lisburn, anyway around Belfast - I could also get to him as I have a car. I wont be going back to this guy as he did shift uneasily when asked questions and could not give me any answer as to how the virus could in - no answer at all really. Also is there anything I can do to make these viruses go or do you need a special education for more IT

[hafeezazhar]

This is good helping site. http://www.ricoh.com/...wnload/sw/win/01.html