subject: Unskilled PC Repair Techs Wipe and Reinstall Repair [print this page] This "syndrome" in the Desktop Computer repair sector rates close near the top of my frustration list of patterns by numerous Desktop Computer repair techs. I am referring to the pattern of a couple of amateur PC Computer repair techs, and even a few big company franchises, taking the easy way out to repair a PC Computer by telling the client that they can find no other way but to wipe the hard drive and Re-image everything.
Hi, I am Bill Arnoldi, proprietor of FireBall Tech Desktop Computer Repair in Tucson, Arizona. In my mind, I am still attempting to ascertain how a "skilled" tech can call erasing and re-installing a "fix" for any PC repair problem. On my list of remediations, that is my last solution. By And Large it rather leaves me feeling a bit defeated. But, since I seldom have to ever do that, I think only three or four times in the last eighteen years, it is not a huge issue for me.
So why do so many Desktop Computer repair techs find it so simple to end up ruining the client's data and formating their hard drive as a resolution to a Computer repair trouble? Here are a few of the rationalities.
1. They really do not know how to remedy the trouble. This is the number one rationality. Most of the time this is the method most frequently used by "Gurus" that have little ability in really troubleshooting and repairing Desktop Computers, you recognize who they are. Its the individual, oftentimes barely out of high school, that grew up diddling with PC computers and constructed their own gaming system so he imagines they are adept at restoring PCs, or the person that studied on their own and proceeded to get a certificate because they answered all the questions correct on a piece of paper. Any way it goes, they just don't have the capabilities and this is their sole remedy to a somewhat challenging issue. What is even worse is they are taking advantage of the customer that is believing their "expert" decision that this is the ONLY solution to their problem, oftentimes leaving the client with a feeling of regret for not having backed up all their data, written documents and pictures and losing them due to the Re-install.
2. Time and money equals profits. It takes more time to troubleshoot and try repair paths on a Computer with compound problems. Often a customer is searching for the best cost for the Computer repair. In order to remain competitive and sustain a bulk of business, a Computer repair company may fall back on to the erase and reinstall of a Computer as it uses substantially less time than really solving the issue. Thus, they could make a lot more money by engaging the swiftest route to getting the PC Computer up and running again. Again this is not commonly in the client's best interest because they end up by and large losing their information and having to Restore most of their software programs on their own.
3. Laziness. This makes up a small amount of both of the foregoing plus a dreadful attitude, but is in truth self-explanatory. The Desktop Computer tech or the company doctrine is to take the easy way out, head off possible complications, get the Desktop Computer out the door remedied, and do so with the smallest amount of effort, time and expense. It is a "repair mill" outlook. In general, they just don't worry about the consumer. Rather, it is all about whatever is easiest and most gainful. Again, the customer becomes an uninformed dupe of inexpert business attitudes and patterns.
A comment response by a self-alleged PC repair guru on a forum posting by some other newbie technician asking "What's a good turnaround time on Desktop Computer fix for consumers?" read the following: "It really counts on patronage, If you want to do this in a full time extent, you should be able to do this in about 8 to 12 hours. If you just reimage the PC it shouldn't take more than 2 hours." I guess we know how he works.
A genuine technician can resolve virtually any trouble without resorting to formatting a hard drive and restoring the operating system, also referred to as reimaging a PC Computer. A tech with a genuine concern for the consumer's best interest will use everything in their armory to repair a problem before resorting to a total reimaging of a Desktop Computer system.
In my own Tucson PC repair company, I can site multiple cases wherein a client brought in a Computer to me because they were told by another PC repair person that it was required to reimage the customer's PC Computer resulting in full loss of their information, only to ascertain that indeed, it could be restored without any loss. Yes, sometimes it costs more than reimaging a system due to the longer repair procedures, but the customer more often than not would preferably pay a little more than lose all their information, and all too frequently, their valued libraries of family memories on the Computer in digital pictures.
My suggestion to consumers is to inquire around and check the reputation of the PC repair technician. Don't be unguarded and easily assume a Computer repair technician's statement that a total wipe and Reinstall of the hard drive is needed. Drill them on the reasons why it is inevitable, and what the options are. At the very least, always tell a Computer repair individual or company that they should contact you for authorization prior to wiping your hard drive and reinstalling your PC Computer. Be conscious as well, that some of the nationwide franchise operations use a business model wherein a series of mandated tokenish troubleshooting measures are undertaken before the company policy dictates a total Restore of the PC is imposed for problem resolution.
Unskilled PC Repair Techs Wipe and Reinstall Repair
