The Legend of Computer Zorro

Zorro (Spanish for Fox) is the secret identity of Dave Woolsey, a gringo and master computer swordsman living in the Baja Norte, Southern California region. He defends the people of the land against spyware, malware, trojans and other villains, and is not only much too cunning and fox-like for the bumbling bad guys & hackers, but delights in publicly humiliating those same foes by righting their wrongs, while riding on his trusty horse Exterra.

Archive for October, 2009

Remote Computer Repair, Is it Safe?

Remote computer repair is still a new idea to many; however it’s been available to you for years now. Rather than an expensive on-site visit, technicians connect securely to your computer using an advanced screen sharing program. This in turn, allows you to have your computer fixed right away, and at a lower cost due to the lower amount of overhead costs to the companies. But is it really safe?

The short answer is yes. Let me explain why… First, you remain with your computer at all times. When you drop your computer off at the store, you will be asked to return in a week or whenever they finish it. During this time, who knows if anyone is reading or copying your files? Can you be sure they haven’t taken or switched some piece of hardware? Will they even do anything to it before recommending you purchase their new model on isle 9? When having your computer repaired remotely, you’ll be able to watch the repair taking place as it is happening. Your tech should be available for questions through a chat window or the phone if you need him, however no one will know if you are watching or not thus ensuring the techs integrity. Ask your local super store geek if you can sit and watch them fix the computer and see what they say.

With on-site repair, not only do you have to pay very high fees, but you have to wait for the tech to fit you into the schedule when you need your computer working now! Then you must allow a stranger into your home. I’m reminded of a recent news story regarding a national on-site support chain and a camera phone left in a bathroom. If you want to watch what the on-site tech is doing you’ll have to literally watch from over his shoulder because he or she will be sitting in your seat.

With remote computer repair, you must pay with a credit card. Some people still have reservations on using credit cards online. The fact is that credit card companies want you to use their card online for everything. Ask your card company if you’ll be responsible for any fraud or stolen activity. You’ll likely be happy with their response. Plus if you think you are getting ripped off by the online computer repair service, you can use your credit card company to dispute the charge. Note: that a bank debit cards with a Visa or MasterCard usually don’t offer dispute services.

Because this new option for residential computer repair is so popular, a lot of new companies are sprouting up constantly. There are a few important things to look for in a remote computer repair service. Are they in the same country as you? This important because if laws are different, you’ll have a tough time disputing a problem with them should you come to have one. Do they have a No Fix, No Fee guarantee? Many per minute or hour services charge you for their time and do not guarantee to fix anything. What does that say about their trust and training of their own techs? Finally, be cautious of an insanely low price. In my experience, low pricing always means inexperience or a scam. You can expect to get a better deal than any in-shop or on-site service however.

So the next time you have a computer problem, give the remote approach a try. If you find a no fix, no fee guarantee companies then you truly have nothing to lose and such a convenience to gain.If you need help with your computer, give Remote Computer Repair a try. Our low flat fees with our No Fix, No Fee guarantee means there’s no risk. Visit us at http://www.remotecomputerrepair.org or by calling 1-888-392-2785 and chat with a live tech today..

Modern Computer Repair Letterhead

Computer Repair – Part 1

With remote computer support being a new buzzword in the tech industry, you can bring back your slow and dead PC back to life in the convenience of your home.

Remote computer support workers can solve many problems related to small computer glitches. As a customer, you only pay for the service you need. Remote computer repair has increasingly become a preferred choice of customers searching for resources to get their PC repaired. The remote computer repair experts can repair most of your PC problems through remote control, as long as you’ve a high-speed Internet connection.

One can locate remote computer repair specialists through a simple search on the Internet. Online resources give you a good idea about the computer support services available. A remote computer screen repairperson can watch everything going on your PC while working on your problem.

Technology has advanced so much that you can ever control the scale, just in case you think that there is any security violation. In some cases, instructions are given over the phone, and the user has to follow these guidelines to repair computer.

Most remote computer repairers disconnect the program until and unless you want the program for future use. However, the entire system of remote computer support is gaining in popularity but it is always better that you always get good references of remote repair company. This way you will be able to verify their credentials and ensure security of your data.

Remote computer repair is a great help to fix computer issues like trouble shooting compute errors, virus removal, software installation, upgrading, disk cleaning, and PC optimization. Needless to say, the success rate is also far too high when it comes to repairing computer through remote computer support. Another advantage of remote computer repair is that you save money in long run as you don’t need to haul your PC anywhere and the technicians are working from their own location.

Moreover, these service providers run their support services for 24×7. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about their availability. Whenever you feel like having problems with your PC, you can contact these online computer support resources.

Remote Assistance and Computer Repair

Later versions of Windows have a feature called Remote Assistance. The tool is mostly used in computer repair and computer support. Using this feature, a computer user with a problem can permit another person to connect to his or her computer via the Internet or – if the computer is part of a network – from one workstation on the network to another. The computer support technician can observe your computer screen from their console and use their mouse and keyboard to control your computer.

Advantages

While Remote Assistance is a Windows feature, the phrase is also one of the many generic terms for this kind of computer support. The benefits are many and various. Online assistance of this kind can be set up on your computer and used by computer support technicians to help you through complicated problems that you can’t perform yourself. Telephone computer support and computer repair services may struggle if they were to explain the intricacies of certain tasks to you over the phone. If the computer support technician can access and manipulate your computer remotely, he or she can do the job for you.

The convenience of this computer support cannot be underestimated. It’s very handy for permissions to be granted to computer support techs or system administrators so that they can access your computer remotely. The worst case scenario alternative is that you have to unplug all the power outlets and various devices connected to the computer and haul the CPU down to the IT department, or worse, take it to the computer repair shop. Computer repairs of this kind can take up your time and the costs can be high, while remote assistance can take a few minutes and you don’t have to leave your seat.

The functionality can be used by the computer support service in your local area or region who may or may not charge for the service. But it can also be used by your friends or acquaintances who know their way around technology.

A remote assistance session can start up again after a re-boot if needed. Remote computer repair services usually offer free diagnosis and if the problem isn’t resolved you won’t be charged. But make sure to check the fine print in the terms and conditions of the repair contract if they give you one. Typical computer repairs available with providers of online computer support services are the removal of spyware and viruses, registry repair, computer optimization, and solutions for device driver issues.

Drawbacks

Various disadvantages for this computer support are obvious.

Although you have to offer permission or invite someone to remotely access your computer, a security breach could occur. If you’re giving remote assistance customer support permission to resolve problems on your computer, clever hackers can exploit the technology to compound problems. When inviting a computer repair expert to access your desktop remotely, there are features to enable password protection so that he or she can only log on with the password you have assigned.

If you’re fearful of a security breach, the Remote Assistance functionality on Windows operating systems can be disabled through the Control Panel.

Remote assistance cannot complete all computer repairs. Remember that computer hardware that has suffered physical damage probably won’t be fixed by the computer support service that has accessed your PC – no matter how good that computer support service is.

Check Out the Nature of Online Computer Repair

With increasing complexities in cyber world, online computer repair services have emerged as the BIG help for computer users. Having your computer repaired through remote assistance is like taking computer lessons online. You feel as if magic is going on your PC. It’s a real fun watching your PC repaired remotely.

Here, the computer support technician or representative take control over your PC, with your prior permission and starts the required process. The technician first diagnoses your PC for errors, and then provides it with the proper ailment. In the whole procedure, you just sit back and watch your PC getting rid off nasty errors and technical issues. You may note down the procedure as performed by the technician to follow it yourself if the same problem persists in future.

Computer repair and support on 1-800-237-3901

Computer support companies nowadays offer an array of services covering everything related to computer. Whether it’s setting up PC, troubleshooting PC errors, PC health check up and optimization to tune it for smarter performance, virus or spyware removal or internet issues, online computer support vendors have solutions for all.

Unlike computer repair showrooms which charge you unnecessarily, online PC repair companies don’t ask you to pay if the issue is not fixed. Since the computer repair is being done online, you cannot expect all issues to be resolved especially the hardware related. Still, you can avail online computer support services for basic hardware issues such as standard set up, troubleshooting network connectivity with multimedia devices (wireless mouse, wireless keyboard, speaker, graphic card etc), and fixing simple runtime errors.

On the other hand, it’s of no use to call online computer repair services in case any of your PC or hardware parts are physically damaged. However, they are the master in fixing software application errors and troubleshooting internet issues.

Such online PC vendors also have another option of offering the computer support over the phone which may take greater resolution time. Often, some tricky issue may take an hour or so to fix. You can find it a real time consuming task to be on the phone for so long. Therefore, most computer users prefer remote computer repair assistance which even helps technicians to diagnose respective PC errors more accurately.

About computer repair fraud – Part 2

Computer repair fraud is very common but there are steps to preventing this. If all you know about computers is how to turn it on the best thing you can do is learn a little about how computers work.

Go to your local library or search the Internet to learn a little about computers. If feel you don’t have time or you don’t want to learn about computers ask some of your friends of family for help. Ask for the name of a good repair place. That way you can find out about their experiences.

A lot of places will diagnose the problem for free or for a set price (normally around $60.00). Try bringing someone with you who knows a little about computers can help. They will be able to tell you if the repair people are being honest or not.

When you are at the repair place and you feel pressured to buy a new system or buy new parts take your time and think about it. There is no rush and you should feel comfortable about what you are buying something. A little warning to you. Anyplace that will diagnose the problem for free may be a little pushy about buying new hardware as they are trying to makeup for the time they spent looking at your computer.

If you are worried about that you might lose important files ask if they can make a backup of the files for you. Even laptop hard drives can be backed up. Most repair places have a CD or DVD burner and will backup your files for next to nothing unless the problem is with the hard drive. Then it can cost a lot more to recover data from damaged hard drive as it can be very time consuming.

Now comes the fun part, your bill. If you feel that a repair bill is too high ask them to explain the problems to you. If you do not understand something then ask for explanations in terms you know. Any good repair shop will be more then happy to explain things to you and may even to teach you a little about how to prevent the problem in the future.

As stated at the beginning of this article knowledge is your best tool in preventing fraud. If you know your stuff and they know it then it makes it harder and not worth the effort to try taking advantage of you.