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New Where is the tipping point?
Without being facetious, isn't it just easier (i.e. quicker and cheaper) to recover the user's data and wipe the box?


Peter
[link|http://www.no2id.net/|Don't Let The Terrorists Win]
[link|http://www.kuro5hin.org|There is no K5 Cabal]
[link|http://guildenstern.dyndns.org|Home]
Use P2P for legitimate purposes!
New He services multiple small business clients.
I ASSUME that there are many systems he
is partially respnsible for. Years
of end-users doing crap with them,
no such thing as a standard system.


So the client says: Fix THAT box.
New I know what he does.
Which is why I asked the question.


Peter
[link|http://www.no2id.net/|Don't Let The Terrorists Win]
[link|http://www.kuro5hin.org|There is no K5 Cabal]
[link|http://guildenstern.dyndns.org|Home]
Use P2P for legitimate purposes!
New That depends.
In no case have I had to wipe data, but as in this case I sometimes have to wipe Windows which can mean hours of software reinstallation and sometimes it is not possible to find the original media which makes for more difficulties.

If it's something new I haven't seen before I'll spend quite a few hours trying to beat it. I proabably spent 10 hours on this machine. This is a "continuing education" cost and if I can beat it, it'll be easy next time. Very seldom have I had to call it quits.

If a machine is absurdly infected (many home computers) I'll just wipe Windows right then and there. If it's a business machine it's usually not that bad - unless, as in this case, it's been used to play music.


If I do a machine in the field, which I strongly discourage, I charge by the hour. If it's brought to the shop I charge a flat fee which may be anywhere from $40 to $160 depending on severity. If I pick up and deliver there's a travel charge. Any work for reinstalling software, setting up the network, etc. is hourly. It can get pretty expensive.

The Los Angeles Times did an article a few months back about people who no longer use the Internet because they can't afford the cost of cleaning out the scum. Apparently the stores around here charge about $300 to $350 to just wipe the disk and reinstall Windows - all data lost.
[link|http://www.aaxnet.com|AAx]
New I was shocked when I heard that...
stores around here charge about $300 to $350 to just wipe the disk and reinstall Windows - all data lost.

and this isn't the first time I've heard it. I met a guy last summer who has a full time job as a baker. He has a side business cleaning up Windows infested machines. He charges $300 per machine to pickup, clean and deliver. He makes more money than at his "real" job. Sheesh.
Have fun,
Carl Forde
     Couldn't clean this one . . . - (Andrew Grygus) - (22)
         I don't even bother cleaning any more. - (inthane-chan)
         Where is the tipping point? - (pwhysall) - (4)
             He services multiple small business clients. - (broomberg) - (1)
                 I know what he does. - (pwhysall)
             That depends. - (Andrew Grygus) - (1)
                 I was shocked when I heard that... - (cforde)
         Did you try using Ewido? - (a6l6e6x) - (2)
             No, I'll look at it next time around. - (Andrew Grygus) - (1)
                 Ewido just sold out to AVG . . . - (Andrew Grygus)
         Since you're here... - (jb4) - (12)
             Not Andrew, but... - (Another Scott) - (1)
                 Thanks, Another Scott! - (jb4)
             Can you boot with knoppix and access it that way? -NT - (broomberg) - (1)
                 Didn't try... - (jb4)
             Might have come in as part of AOL IM. - (inthane-chan) - (6)
                 Explains why... - (jb4) - (5)
                     ICLRPD (new thread) - (drewk)
                     OT: Check the mdash in your sig - (drewk) - (3)
                         erm...huh? Oh....I see now... - (jb4) - (2)
                             It's just that we know all Repo's are - (imqwerky) - (1)
                                 It's not that... - (imric)
             I see it less lately, but . . . - (Andrew Grygus)

I like my women unassembled, without the hardware already bolted on.
117 ms