Computer Repair
 

I had an issue last Thursday with not being able to connect to the internet and my computer had slowed down. I finally called Metrocast and spent over an hour on the phone following all kinds of directions. Metrocast told me I would need to call or bring my computer to get fixed. I called Best Buy, told the Geek Squad person what the issue was and they told me the cost would be around $200.00 to $300.00 and would take up to a week to fix. I then called a local computer store in Meredith and was told they could not give me a price range or timeline.

I called Metro cast customer service and asked if they recommended anyone for computer repair. The customer service rep said she had a similar issue and had used a service located out of Meredith.

I called the number she gave me (Peter’s PC Repair, 603 707 7883) and could not believe how polite he was. He listened to me as I told him what my computer was and was not doing. He gave me a price range to fix it and asked me if I would like to drop it off or he would come and pick it up, for no extra charge. He picked the computer up at 10:00 am and delivered it back to me at 4:30 pm. I used the computer all weekend and it worked perfectly, faster then it had been for quite sometime. The problems were viruses and other assorted things that got in there.

I would highly recommend Peter and thank him for his great service

Thank you.

What did Peter charge you?

He charged me $90.00, which I thought was very fair!

You got a good deal!

Thanks for the info :)

I've also found a reasonably priced and good computer repair guy in my neighborhood. Saved me from buying a new computer!

At this point I would suggest a good Anti-virus program and keep it updated. Also there is a free site... http://malwarebytes.org/
that you can download and it searches for malware and spyware that can also slow your computer down, cause pop ups and search your computer for information!

Good luck!

Isn't it funny that if I bump you in the leg with my car, you can sue me for Dr. bills. But if someone ruins your computer, steals your pin numbers with a keystroke logger virus and ruins you life.....Nothin'. Not even the BBB can help. pretty sad. If I ever wanted to be a terrorist, those virus people would be the first to find out I was.:rolleye1:

Airwaves.

Your are correct. Malwarebytes is a great program and it is free. So is spybot search and destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html

and AVG 9.0
http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Vi...Pid=11014801.0


AVG is a free anti virus program, rated in the top five anti virus programs. If these three programs are installed and used properly, a computer user will be protected against virus's, malware & trojans.

The issue is that most computer users forget to run the scans for spybot and malwarebytes at least once every two weeks.

I am Peter from Peter's PC Repair.

I, thank Deb for her nice review of my service. I feel flattered!

Peter

Peter's PC Repair

Meredith, NH
603 707 7883
huberp@metrocast.net

I also highly recommend Malwarebytes, and Peter is correct you should be running it at least once every couple weeks, I prefer once a week or more.

Peter have you tried Avast as a replacement for AVG? I used to use AVG and recommend it to all my clients but I've found Avast to be less resource hungry and offers a little better protection (imo).

The free version of Avast can be downloaded from www.download.com

I'm Mike from Lakes Region PCs, Peter we should get together some time and chat. Shoot me an email when you get some free time. Do you have a storefront?

Mike
www.lrpcs.com
mike@lrpcs.com

Spyware for Apple computer
 

Are there different spyware programs for Apple computers

If you do a google search, for spyware programs for mac, you will see what is available.

I don't work on Macs, so I can't recommend any one over the other.

Peter

For Macs...
 

This one is a whole suite - anti-spyware, anti-virus, etc. : http://www.intego.com/

This one is virus only: http://www.intego.com/virusbarrier/

Housecalls...
 

In the Wolfeboro area, forum member Keith makes housecalls. Try (603) 651-7509, or PM Keith here.

Keith is wonderful!!! If you live in the Wolfeboro area, he is the guy to go to for computer problems. He has never let me down.

Microsoft.
 

In case you want a freebie antivirus and you have MS Windows go to Microsoft.com and download MS Security Essentials. I have been running this software since I became a Metrocast customer last summer. The computer appears to be running better than when I had Mcaffee. Mcaffee is free to Comcast customers. Metrocast and Fairpoint do not offer anti-virus.
Download the MS malacious software tool while you are at Microsoft. Another great freebie.

If anyone experience sluggish speed or computer hiccups, go to MS Home website and there is step by step instructions to maintain your computer. If the computer still have nasty genomes, My next step is to clean the machine with Spybot and Lavasoft Ad-Aware. Saves a lot of time and money.

While I am on this subject, I have been a Financial Support Specialist / Analyst for a major corporation for 33 years. I have lost the job due to the economic downturn. I am available for contract work regarding IT resource management. Give me a PM if you need help.

Is Peter No Longer in Business?
 

As an update re: Peter's PC Repairs, I used his services during the winter and he did a very good job fixing my computer. However, today I referred another forum member to him but neither the phone number or email address he used several months ago work anymore. So, she's giving Keith in Wolfeboro a call instead.

Me too!!
 

I had the same problem today, and was just returning to the forum to try to find a new contact number! My person who is needing repairs emailed him, but hasn't heard back yet: huberp1@gmail.com was the email she had on hand. I'll post back if we hear anything back!

I did a quick search for him, and found that he had advertised his services on Craigslist on June 18, FWIW.

Try this...
 

This is how we reached Peter last time he did work for us (couple of months ago):

Peter Huber
81 Village Drive
Meredith, NH 03253
(603)707-7883
huberp@metrocast.net

Same here ... that's the info. on his business card, but I tried that email address a few days ago and MetroCast sent back an "unknown user" response. That phone number has apparently been disconnected as well.

I got a virus that I couldn't get rid of. That is the first time that has ever happened to me. Guess I am lucky. Anyway, I called Keith and he got me back up and running! He is GREAT!

I have used "All Things Computer" with complete satisfaction!

Peter update
 

I heard from a colleague over the weekend that Peter Huber passed away several months ago. I checked the local news papers and Legacy.com, but found no such references. My source is pretty reliable, though. I understand that his health had been poor for quite some time. Sad to hear!

computer problems
 

I have a gateway laptop that slowed down to a crawsl. My next door neighbor (in CT) works on them and he took a look. First thing he did was to take Norton 360 out. He installed Macafee or something like that, and another anti virus program and my speed went back to the new style. His new system found 360 parts that were troubled. Not sure they were virus but there were problems with it. I had him do my Dell desktop and that works faster as well.

Interesting...
 

John, most, if not all, Internet Security systems will tell you not to run more than one Antivirus program. They tend to look at each other as a virus and cause more problems than it is worth.

As a side note, if you are within 60 days of purchase on the Norton 360, Norton does have a 60 day moneyback guarantee. You do have to go on line to Symantec's website to download the refund form and follow the instructions (simple).

FWIW, what we see as a problem with Norton 360 or Macafee's total protection or Kaspersky, is a computer that is running Vista or Windows 7 with only 2 GB of RAM or has more RAM but also running a ton of programs everytime the computer boots up.

Back to your regular scheduled program.

My 3 year old lap-top was acting hinky. I was wonderring if it were the Norton I was getting free through Comcast. Then I noticed the touch pad was very warm and the cooling exhause port was blowing very hot but low volume.

I opened the back and pulled out the fan. There was a wad of dust blocking the out flow that was so thick I thought it was a felt filter, at first. After I removed the blockage I used canned air to blow the fan blades clean and blew around the guts in case there was more dust in there. Works fine now!

some quick hints and thanks!
 

Thanks for the positive comments!

Some quick tips:


-Defragging your hard drive will not affect most people's computer speed. Dont bother with it.

-Deleting cookies will NOT speed up your computer. Dont bother with that either.

-Deleting temporary internet files will only occasionally fix problems with certain webpages not loading correctly. Don't bother :)

-MAKE CERTAIN you have ALL your windows updates in place. That is the most important step you can take to prevent viruses. When it says install an update, do it! The same goes for adobe reader and adobe flash player. Most computers I see are infected through adobe reader and adobe flash player. Go to the adobe.com website to update these, never follow a link off a random website that says to "click here to update adobe" .

-Use firefox (firefox.com) as your web browser. There is an add-on for it called "noscript" .

-If you use internet explorer, make sure it is version 8!

-At least one customer per month enters their credit card info into some random program that pops up. NEVER do that!!!

-Let McAfee and Norton expire, they are worthless.

-AVG is no longer of any use, and is nearly as bloated as the others.

-Microsoft security essentials is available here:
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials

(It's FREE, but remove other antivirus programs first.)

-Malwarebytes will clean mild/basic spyware, but will not clean the new/fake antivirus programs out currently.

-Spybot search and destroy, as well as ad-aware no longer work well either.

-Microsoft Security essentials if installed prior to infection will get about 75% of the new ones, but will leave you unable to connect to the internet without changing a setting.

-Programs such as combofix and Hijackthis will work in combination, but are VERY advanced and not for the general user. Combofix can trash your computer, and hijack this can make it unusable if you don't know what you are doing. Be careful and don't attempt if you don't know what you are doing.

-Remember, re-installs are a last resort. A good technician should be able to repair these viruses without reinstalling windows, and without data loss. (Mechanical hard disk failure is a different issue).

-Last tip, back up your data!!!!!!! Get a flash drive at the store for $20 and use it!


Keith Garrett
Wolfeboro Computer Solutions
603-651-7509

That's unfortunate news... I was able to find this on the Mayhew Funeral Home web site.

http://www.mayhewfuneralhomes.com/?s...ituaryid=50528

Peter last logged on here on June 21st and passed away on June 26th.

It's sad news. Our condolences to his family and friends.

How very sad, indeed. Life is so fragile, and so very short. My sincere condolences to his wife and family.