[Sleuth]

We realize we have to pay the "clueless about computers" penalty when we have things go wrong. Our son is only 9 months old, so it will be a few months before he can sigh and explain to the older generation how these things work.
We do need to back up regularly, though.

[HKNewBi]

Originally Posted by jimbo

Sleuth, not that a good deal to be honest, the computer centres could of done it for you for a lot lot less.

Yes you have to take the hd there and leave it with them for a few hours whilst they back everything up for you. But thats not a problem.

On the evidence I would not say that was the case. Deduct the cost of the HDD, 5 + hours work and travel to and from the flat twice, the rate works out less than $300 per hour which seems pretty reasonable to me.

Add to that rate that you won't be earning every hour you work as there is an expectation you don't pay the guy if he can't fix it, the paying customer is in effect subsidising that guarantee. Overall not a bad deal.

It would only be a bad deal if the engineer overcharged (ie it wasn't 5+ hours work and there is no conclusive evidence of that) and without knowing exactly what the problem was and what was done to fix it it is a bit unfair to assume the guy didn't know what he was doing.

If you are not a techie, you won't know how to get the HDD out so it means lugging the entire machine down to WCC with a risk of more damage. This could involve a taxi ride there (more cost) and back and a couple of hours of time doing this (yet more cost).

Unless you put a very low value on your own time it is hard to see how you can really make a saving worth worrying about.

If there are any decent PC engineers reading this prepared to work for under $100 per hour with a no fix / no charge guarantee and no charge for travel time please drop me a PM.

[discobay]

I would have done it for $100 an hour ... but I would have charged you 10 hours. So you see the point is whether the final charge was or was not a reasonable one.