As the computer savvy person in the family, I’ve often been drafted to help solve their computer problems. It’s frustrating sometimes to deal with, but I do my best. I’ve dealt with spyware and virus removal, Internet connectivity issues, and even hardware failures. I’d like to say that I’m an expert, but I still look online for solutions from time to time (mostly for fixes for malware problems).
I just got finished watching this investigative news report: Peeping Techs?. Basically they purposely unplugged a power cord in their computer and took it into several computer repair stores, including those of big chains Circuit City and Best Buy, and see what they would do. A lot of them overcharged like crazy. One even lied about how they fixed the power cord problem, saying they had to replace a “fuse.” Any computer person would catch that lie right away. But the investigative team also installed some monitoring software which basically captures any and all operations done on the computer, recording whatever actions are done. And I wasn’t really that surprised by what I saw: a lot of them went through their personal photos and documents. What an invasion of privacy… Actually, Best Buy had been the subject of this kind of practice a while ago, so I was glad to see that they had stepped up and actually did their job responsibly.
So what do you do when you actually do have a problem with your computer (which I think is probably inevitable)? First, I would suggest you try and get in contact with someone you trust, friend or family, that actually knows about computers. I say this because it’s easier to deal with someone you know than with a stranger. And if you don’t know a lot about computers, hopefully your friend/family member will do you right and solve the problem for you the right way. (And maybe treat him/her to dinner, huh? 
If the problem is beyond their capabilities, then I guess take it to a professional technician. I don’t have any good experience with calling tech support. It’s just too frustrating on both ends: neither of you will probably be able to understand each other. So I say, go in person and judge for yourself if that technician is on the up-and-up. There’s all sorts of problems with different solutions, so I can’t really say how long they should hold your computer and whether they did a proper job. That’s when I would say to have your computer-savvy friend handy when you get your precious PC back. Hopefully the technician can explain the problem and their solution clearly enough so that your friend can say they did it properly or just BSing you.
It’s kind of tough. Computer technicians don’t have to be licensed or bonded. They really aren’t held accountable for their actions by law. I want to say stay away from the mom-and-pop stores, because they don’t have to answer to a corporate office… but I’m sure there are some honest ones out there.
Ah… technology. 
Tags: Computers, Tech Support, Troubleshooting
