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.

Your Questions About Computer Repair Software Free

Laura asks…

Does anyone know where I can find a free software download to scan and repair my computer?

I keep finding plenty of free downloads but as soon as I download and scan my computer it tells me I need to pay to buy it before I can fix all the problems. Does anyone know where I can get a completely free scan software?

dave answers:

Hi Kylie

There is a FREE software. Download AVAST. It is by far, one of the best and will kill any of trojans, viruses etc... Spyware, etc.. That you have and you won't need anyhing else but this.
It runs in the background and won't slow your computer in any way.
Here is the link:...

Http://www.download.com/Avast-Home-Edition/3000-2239_4-10019223.html?cdlPid=10888427

Mary asks…

FREE software for a small Computer Repair shop.?

Hello. I need a Freeware Software for a small computer repair shop, I need to be able to keep track of clients, Repairs, And appointments.

Does anyone know a freeware or Shareware software ???

Thank you. any advice will be greatly appreciate it.

dave answers:

You can get free software which is called Open Source so if you google for that hopefully you will find the software you need. You can get their free equivalent of Microsoft Office also.

Ken asks…

how can I download "really" free software to repair my computer?

dave answers:

Download.com

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Your Questions About Computer Repair Services Software

Mandy asks…

How much should I charge for computer service?

I have less time for doing favors for family and friends, so I want to charge them for the computer repair/services I'm often bombarded with.

The usual routine includes a fresh install of operating system, installation of anti-virus protection software, office software, cd/dvd burning software any personal software they have and making sure the system is up to date with all service packs, etc.

What is this worth in today's market?

dave answers:

I located a huge directory of repair shops. Http://www.findcomputerrepair.com/Hawaii-Computer-Repair.html I'd try visting a few of them and see if they can assist you.

Helen asks…

If I perform computer services in NY state, do I have to charge sales tax?

I only perform computer repair, I do not sell any hardware or software.

dave answers:

Generally yes. NYS sales tax rules are complex but most service charges for the repair of tangible personal property is taxable. See the NYS DOR website for full information.

Lisa asks…

Can anyone recommend an on-site computer repair service.?

I need my hard drive and disk drive replaced (parts are here) and software reloaded in the Queens, NY area. Called Geek Squad, but online searches revealed many customer complaints. Anyone have any suggestions for a reputable on-site computer repair service?

dave answers:

Recommend a website http://www.ultimatebootcd.cn/ ,it provides ultimate boot cd,computer repair cd,pc repair cd,pc repair,boot cd,windows xp boot cd,windows boot cd,xp boot cd .a website http://www.ultimatebootcd.cn/ ,it provides ultimate boot cd,computer repair cd,pc repair cd,pc repair,boot cd,windows xp boot cd,windows boot cd,xp boot cd

Maria asks…

Selling Computer Repair Service?

I am very good at fixing computer hardware, installing components and setting up software etc. I have my A+ certification as well..I wanted to start up a side business (nothing big). I would like to advertise my service in my local newspaper's classifieds. Would I need to obtain a proper business license to do this within legal boundaries? Is there anything else I am forgetting (like taxes) ?

dave answers:

Go to http://www.score.org/index.html and in the upper left hand corner, enter your zip code. On the next screen, you will get information on the nearest SCORE chapter. Call them and arrange for a free meeting with a SCORE counselor to discuss starting your computer repair service.

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

SCORE has 389 chapters in locations throughout the United States and its territories, with 10,500 volunteers nationwide. Both working and retired executives and business owners donate time and expertise as business counselors.

Daniel asks…

How is my career objective for my resume in computer service?

"Seeking an opportunity to work with a company to further my Skills & Goals In The computer Technology Industry by providing excellent levels of computer repair, troubleshoot, installation of hardware and software, and customer service to the company."

Just want some few advice/criticism/grammar and spelling/ opinion

dave answers:

Keep it simple. Tell the employer what you can do for them-pick the skills/tasks they care about the most for the position you're applying to:

"Seeking an opportunity to provide excellent levels of computer repair, troubleshooting, hardware and software installation and customer service."

Good luck!

Carol asks…

Computer Repair Essentials?

If you are serious about computer servicing & repair, not to learn it but to actually put it to use, what are some of the essential things or just good to have around things you would suggest to get? Any tools, books, or software you can reccomend?

dave answers:

Handle Extension for Long Body Tools to Grip and Turn With
One Long Body Brass Brush
One Long Body Extra Small Phillips Head Screw Driver
One Long Body Small Phillips Head Screw Driver
One Long Body Extra Small Flat Head Screw Driver
One Long Body Small Flat Head Screw Driver
One Rated 100~500 Volt Flat Head Screw Drvier Probe
One Razor Knife with Blade
One Non-Conductive Pair of Tweezers
One Non-Conductive Chip Puller
Two Clear Tubes to use for blowing dust out of keyboards
Grounding Strap

For Server Repiars
All of the above
Multimeter
Needle nose
Thermal adhesive

cell phone with camera is good just in case
spare universal parts scsi cables, ata,sata,scsi drives, ethernet cables, nic card

great book http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0972380116/fonerbooks-20/ref=nosim

Lizzie asks…

how much should I charge for Computer service / repair / build?

I worked for a pretty wealthy person to fix up their computer, upgrade hardware, software and so on I now have about 15 hours of work into it, how much should I charge per hour?
List of what I did:
- Setup new Vista PC with all needed software - Tranfered old PC files to new PC - Bought Hardware in Store for customer - Researched Hardware - Replaced / Installed Hardware (Video Card, PSU, two Monitors) - Updated all drivers - Rewired whole workspace - Fix surround sound system - Installed Fingerprint Reader / Setup new passwords and fingerprint software -

dave answers:

Nothing less than $100 hr.
Doing so undercuts the market and pisses a lot of technicians off. You want friends in this business.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Your Questions About Computer Repair Software Diagnostics Tools

Chris asks…

How do I fix Windows boot failure due to memory diagnostics?

One day, I was feeling adventurous and tried the Memory Diagnostics Tool (Control Panel > Administrative Tools). But it turned out that the test took more than 4 hours to complete. I think the message "This will take several minutes" was misleading because I thought it was referring to the whole test, instead the test consists of so many rounds with 2 test runs in each round. Feeling fed up of waiting, I pressed 'Esc' to cancel each round.

Then the screen changes from blue & white to black & white and this message appeared:

"Windows Boot Manager

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might the cause.

Status: 0xc0000017

Info: An unexpected error has occurred"

The message recommended that I insert my Windows installation disc, reboot and use 'Repair your computer' option. So I did, but the Startup Repair reported that no problem was detected and indicated the OS will have have a successful boot. But Windows still failed to boot with the same message appearing after I canceled the memory diagnostics.

Now what?
Nothing to do with messing up memory. I was just trying to check if the RAMs have any errors & see how the diagnostic works.

dave answers:

I suspect the memory diagnostics may have corrupted your BIOS settings. See if you can get into the BIOS and reset to "safe" settings. Then go and detect your hard drive and try re-boot...
If there is any memory timing in the BIOS that is incorrect, it may not boot properly.

Thomas asks…

Am trying to figure out this "unmountable boot volume" thing on my PC.?

I've read and printed off several other responses but I cannot get PC to work. what of the following SPECIFIC Dell disks do i need to insert into the disc drive in order to get to the C: prompt (in order for me to type in "chkdsk /p" or whatever prompt I'll need) OR for the PC to pick up on the inserted disc in order for me to pic "cleanup" or "repair"--->> here are all the disks I have: 1) drivers/utilities (diagnostics and utilities)/online documentation/phone tools/modem on hold 2) Application (ro resinstalling roxio easy cd creator) 3) drivers/utilities (device drivers/diagnostics and utilities/computer documentation 4) application (antivirus, support, multimedia and internet software) 5) operating system (reinstallation CD/microsoft windows XP home edition/service pack 1)
-When trying to read disc #1 from above, on the screen popped up: multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)windowssystem32c......... over and over again with different endings.
-recently replaced HD
update after using luck disc #5: it said something like "okay, now you can press 'r' at the blank screen and start the repair" well, lucky me, i tried this and got THIS error message: "a disk read error occurred; press ctrl+alt+del to restart" when I do this, the screen turns blank for a second or two and then - in a brief flash - reads "NT detect failed" -- i look over at the PC now and it's just cycling in between the dell boot up logo, a blank screen for a few seconds, the "NT detect failed" message, then the dell logo/start-up thing..... it won't stop cycling.

Last question: do computers simply hate my guts?

dave answers:

Your Computer Seems To Be Starting Up In "SafeMode"Why?Who Knows.But I Can Tell You How To Get To The C Prompt.Put In Your Reinstallation Disc.Restart Your Computer.Wait For the Prompt PRESS ANY KEY TO BOOT FROM CDOr SETUP IS INSPECTING YOUR HARDWARE.After The Drivers Load Choose The Option "To REPAIR USING THE RECOVERY CONSOLE"What system Do You Want To Log On To?Press (1),And ForThe Password Just Press Enter(Unless You Have A Custom Password).You Should Be At The C Prompt Now.The Good News Is That You Have The Reinstallation CD.Worst Case Senerio is Using It To Reinstall.Most People Dont Even Have It.

John asks…

Vaio laptop problem! help please?

I need you help guys! :( (

So here's the problem, after trying the following:

" On start up tap F8 until you get to the boot screen
Run the "Repair my computer" option

>The username and password doesn't show up! It goes back

to the usual black bg saying,

""Windows Error Recovery
Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software

change might be the cause.

If windows files have been damaged or configured

incorrectly, Startup Repair can help diagnose and fix the

problem.If power was interrupted during startup, choose .

Launch Startup Repair(recommended)
Start windows normally""

>If I'll choose "Launch Startup Repair(recommended)"
Windows file loads then Recovery tools will be launched.

Vaio Recovery Center shows up and asks me to choose

among FOUR OPTIONS: Windows System Restore, Vaio

Hardware Diagnostics, Restore C: Drive and Rescue Data.

NONE of it really helps. Like when I chose the Windows

System Restore, it says "No restore points have been

created on your comp's system disk. To create a restore

point open System Protection." Same thing with the other 3

options. Its like they're not clickable! And as soon as I exit

the program(?), "OS not detected on the C: drive. Restore

the C: drive or restore the complete system" shows up. It

doesn't make sense! since when I tried the Restore C: Drive

option, it will only end up having "NO SYSTEM PARTITON".

>If I'll choose " Start windows normally"
The Pc will just restart then back to the usual black bg,

ARGGHHH. Please help me! Thanks.. T.T

dave answers:

Try starting up from a ubuntu live cd and access the partition and try to copy all your files from documents and desktop and any other folder you might have created and reinstall windows.

Sandra asks…

Hard drive crash and it wont let me boot from anything and goes to a boot manager screen. Please Help!?

I have a major problem with my hard drive (western digital WD Scorpio 160 GB IDE) and it comes to a screen saying
Windows Boot Manager

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause to fix problem:
1) Insert installation disc and Restart
2) Choose Language
3) click "repair your computer"

If you do not have this disk, contact your system admin or computer manufacturer for assistance.

Status: 0xc000000f
Info: The boot selection failed b/c a required device is inaccessible.
Then I hit "enter" to continue

Another screen popped up saying the following:
Choose operation system to start or press TAB to select a tool:
Only one choice is provided: windows setup [EMS Enabled]
Tool: Windows Memory Diagnostics
I choose this option and it said No problem were wrong and every time I boot this HD it says the same things. And I put in the Installation CD and it won’t boot from CD. I changed the Bios so that CD was first and also tried doing it manually but this nothing appeared to be happening.

Additional Info:
Toshiba M35x-114 Satellite 1.5Gigs RAM 160 IDE HD

dave answers:

I'm not sure what happened the day before this problem, nor do i know exactly the issue, but when you start up the computer try to get it into safe mode, when its starting up. In that stage if possible to get there, you will be able to do a few things. One is to insert the CD when you can get to the desktop and then repairing the computer. Or go into system restore and go to a date when your computer worked normally. Also check for any newly installed software and uninstall it perhaps something is messing the computer up.

Hope this helps.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Your Questions About Computer Repair Services Nj

Laura asks…

NJ vehicle inspection?

I will be taking my car fo inspection this month....teh MVC continues to be rude..and make numerous mistakes...
so calling and asking may not get an answer...

if you are professionally knowledgeable about NJ vehicle inspections i would appreciate your opinion

i do not need guesses--only informed opinions...

2 of my warning lights are on-check engine and air back--also the dashboard doesn't fully light up..

after visits to 2 dealers and a private mechanic-i finally found out there is a service bulletin out on my car...the computer that runs things like teh power locks needs to be reprogrammed.....noone knows for sure why the lights are on--

i tried to bring it for repairs on Saturday--but the service center screwed up the appointment and couldn't fix it...

are these things that could cause a car to fail inspection in NJ..

i really don't have the money to make repairs that aren't absolutely necessary

dave answers:

Since you have your licences can you help me out? Http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Alr9EbiT9hCqWXkmpEugsG7sy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20081013172057AAmDrnU

please

Mandy asks…

Using my personal vehicle for company service calls??

my boss wants our computer repair company to be more "mobile". i have no problem doing some road work but he refuses to give us a vehicle. he had employees a few years ago that took the vehicle he provided and basically trashed it. now he wants us to use our own cars to go all over NJ to do work. on a side note, my fellow coworker had a minor fender bender on one of his jobs and he refused to pay for any of the repairs to the other car.

dave answers:

I hope you are taking good note of your mileage and they are reimbursing your for it. Here is the national IRS rate.
Http://www.nationalbusiness.org/NBAWEB/Newsletter2006/2282.htm

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Your Questions About Business Computer Repair Technician

Sandy asks…

How can I make a hobby computer repair business?

Hi everyone, me and my friend are really good at computers and have repaired them many times before, of coarse for free though. Now we were seriously thinking if we could make some money out of it. Here are my questions, do we need a business license? A computer certificate for technicians? Do we need to register for anything? And can we actually post this in the newspaper, like an ad for repairing computers. Also what would happen if something were to go wrong? Do I need liability insurance? Thanks and any other advice would be great!

dave answers:

I would definitely recommend starting up a real business so that you will have the capacity to write off business expenses and get other business perks. Liability insurance is a must in case there is a serious problem like a house fire where you would have to replace all the computers that you are fixing for people or a burglary where all the computers are stolen. As far a credentials go you will have to check within the city statutes for licensing. Your best bet at this point is to consult a local attorney for advice on how to get started.
You can bypass all of the above to try to build a business but of course you will be taking the risks. Talk to some investors about some start up funds.

Susan asks…

Is there a reference price guide for computer repair technicians?

Is there a reference price guide for computer repair technicians?
I'm in the process of openning my own computer repair business and I was looking for a book that would give estimates on how much a particular service would cost. Some type of industry standard information, sort of like what General Contractors have. Is there such a reference guide available?

dave answers:

Everything depends on what education you have. I have not heard of such a guide or book but if you have degrees then I can almost guarantee you can charge over $100+.

Mandy asks…

what do i need to do to become a computer repair technician?

i tried to study programming then i realized there no future in it, im in grade 11 and taking computer science and computer engineering courses, and i was wondering what should i do once i graduated from high school should i open up my own Business or work for a company like geek squad or any other tips or knowledge you can share thank you in advance.

and please if ur gonna just answer to tell me about my grammar i don't want to hear it i know its terrible.

dave answers:

Actually your grammar is quite good.

Point is, do not waste time thinking about computer repair. Why do you think programming is not the future? It is.

Games and software are what will be profitable. Think about this. Do you see any television or radio repair stores? No? Why not? Because a radio is 5$? So its cheaper to buy a new one than get it repaired? That's right. Same with TV's, or are usually under warranty.

I work in an IT Department doing a multitude of things, and I see a lot of equipment. If I have learned anything it is that Computer Repair Technicians are assured of a short future.

With netbooks hitting the market, you can geta laptop for 199.99$ Eventually it will get to the point where you will have a removable hard drive, most likely steady state, that can just be exchanged between computers.

Lets say your fan breaks, just go buy a new 200$ pc and plop your hard drive in, you are good to go.

So, you have the future in front of you, stay with programming if you like it, do not take the course of computer repair.

Daniel asks…

Starting up my own On-Site Computer Technician Business.?

Is there anyone out there who started there own repair business part time and than it grew into a full time job..? I plan on doing hardware upgrades, computer optimizations, servers, tutoring ect.. I'll be A+ and server+ certified soon. Preff. if your in the NY area, what did you charge per hour, and what kind of advertisements did you do to get your name out there..? thanks a lot

dave answers:

I did this sort of thing back in high school, but on a less professional level. The best advertisement is satisfied customers -- they will refer you to their friends who refer you to their friends, etc. I can totally see how it could become a full time job. Since I was doing it for friends, I often didn't charge full price. Also, if I was helping a family that had 4 kids, I would charge them a lot less than the rich guy with 4 Mercedes in the drive.

Betty asks…

What type of outfit should I have as a computer technician?

I’m starting a computer repair service business. What should I wear when I go to customer’s house to repair their computers?

dave answers:

Khaki pants with any colored golf shirt with your logo on it! I think that is simple, clean, and classy! I would want to hire someone like that!

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

 Page 4 of 31  « First  ... « 2  3  4  5  6 » ...  Last »