Services

This page provides detailed information on all of the services I currently provide. All services require you to bring your computer to me (that is, I don't make house calls). I only make an exception to this rule for a handful of people. If you would like to purchase a service, please let me know by using my contact form.

You may think my prices are a little higher than the big-box stores. Well, they may be (but not my much). However, keep in mind that with a big-box store, they will probably hand your computer over to an employee who may not really care about their job, or might not even really be all that good at troubleshooting computers, and is just following a list somebody else wrote. With me, you get somebody who really knows their stuff and likes what they are doing working on your machine.

I work out of my house, am a one-man computer repair service, and during the day work as an IT Support Specialist at Case Western Reserve University. As such, I ask that you schedule the drop off of any computer equipment at least two days in advance, and give me no bigger than a thirty minute window in which you will arrive. This is both for my scheduling purposes, and to make sure that I will set aside enough time to get your equipment back to you and finish the job in a timely manner.

All turn around times are estimates. It may take more time or less time to get your job done, and get it done well.

I generally do not offer refunds once the work is complete. If you are unhappy with my work, I will instead try to correct the problem.

Service Description Cost Typical Turn Around Time Supported OSes
Computer Wipe and Setup - No Backup

Many people will run out and buy a new computer just because their existing computer has gotten so bogged down with malware that it is running slower than molasses. Also, many new big box computers come this way. Companies love to pay computer manufacturers money to put their software on your machine, much like advertizers pay to put billboards on the side of the road. Much of this software you will never use, and much of it runs at startup without you knowing, slowing down your machine, and sometimes spying on what you do. For such computers that are running slow slow that even a normal cleanup won't work, I can make them function like new by erasing everything on their internal drive and starting fresh.

This service includes:

  • reformatting your computer
  • re-installing your operating system and software
  • making sure all connected peripheral devices still work

This service does not include backing up and restoring your files (such as emails, documents, and bookmarks). The process will erase everything on your computer. I will need to use the original operating system disc that came with your computer. If the process takes longer than usual (such as due to a lot of extra programs you need loaded), I reserve the right to charge extra.

 $90 Flat Rate 3 days Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
Computer Cleanup

Many people go out and buy a new computer just because their existing computer is running slowly. Much of the time, this is a waste of money and a perfectly good computer. You don't go out and buy a new car just because yours has a few problems, do you? This service includes:

  • virus, trojan, spyware, adware, and other malware removal
  • operating system and other software updates
  • a thorough disk check
  • removal of un-needed items from your startup folder
  • removal of un-needed programs

If I don't think your computer is recusable, I may tell you I can't work on it, and suggest you have it wiped and start over (I can do that for you). In this case, there will be no charge for the computer cleanup (but wiping the system and starting over is a seperate service, and there is a cost for that).

If I do think the machine is rescueable, the minimum charge is for one (1) hour of work. Work is billed by the nearest 15 minutes after the first hour.

 $100 Flat Rate 2 days Microsoft Windows
Software or Hardware Installation

Have a new program or a new peripheral device you need installed? I can install and test it for you, and make sure any relavent patches are installed. Minimum billing of one (1) hour.

 $30 Hourly 1 day Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
Misc Computer Work

Need some computer work done that I don't have listed? I'm willing to do pretty much anything related to computer or network maintenance and repair. Minimum billing is for an hour of work.

 $40 Hourly Varies Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
Basic Data Recovery

I will attempt to recover data from any damaged storage device, such as a hard drive. I do this by connecting it up to a computer running Linux and using various tools to try and read the drive. Linux is used because it is very good at reading a variety of file systems. I've seen instances where it is better at reading Microsoft's FAT and NTFS file systems better than Microsoft's own tools are. Chances of success are dependent on how badly damaged the data is.

Data will be written to CD or DVD, unless the amount of data is greater than 4 GB as reported by Linux. For amounts of data greater than 4 GB, you will have to provide an external USB hard drive capable of storing the data.

NOTE: What I do is fairly basic data recovery (hence the cheap price), because I simply don't have the tools to do the more advanced data recovery that professional data recovery shops have. If I can't recover your data, I can refer you to one of the professional drive recovery shops, who may be able to do more than I can.

 $50 Flat Rate 2 days Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux