mean you can get a decent 2.4 Ghz factory refurbished now for under $300 in Miami, no duty. Hey there's a business, bring them in landed at maybe $400 and sell for $500, make $100 for nothing

Intersting you say that because some computer stores really rip people off. Cuz i bet that same 2.4 ghz computer is going for at least 900 bucks at many computer stores. I remember a time ago I went lookin for a processor and DC was selling some P4 1.8 ghz processors for over 300 dollars.

Not only is the hardware expensive but darn these techs charge 85+ bucks an hour to fix ppls computers? $60+ to remove some spyware. They probably just download an antivirus program (for free by the way) and run a scan. Man i need to get in this business.

There are people over here bringing in old computers, I mean like 200mhz and less, they buy in bulk for maybe $50 for 10 of them, they get them in duty free, and resell them for over $500!!

As for the other thing, I do that on the side too, mainly as well there is a need for it, and people need I know or people they know need them fixed, thing is many peoples PCs now that you goto, are soo past the point of no return, that if you do clean it it can take well over an hour, sometimes it wont, but most of the time someone had been there before did a scan for a few minutes, said it was fixed, while that is rairly the case - spyware loves to propogate.

I was charging $40 but had to go up to at least $50 which is still low compared to others, and I dont really charge by the hour, just by the service, if it is going to take too long, and is already in bad shape for other reasons, i recommend i take it overnight and return them with a new computer (so to speak) - formatted and reloaded with all major software apps, spyware immunisation, fully tweaked Windows XP SP2, Nortons, etc, it can take up to 6 hours actually with the updates, back up of users data, and all the rest, but im not on the PC the whole time manually. For that I WAS charging $50 but had to raise it to $95, actually same as DC but I pick up and deliver .... and im sure its going to be near 100% anti spyware and anti virus, as well as tweaked to the max for speed .. bascially a better computer than what they originally bought .. well depends on hardware also ..

Ofcourse people can see that as being too high also, and I dont blaim them, but it does take time and knowledge .. to do something right.

as for downloading spyware removal apps. most dont work 100%, you still need to do some manual stuff in the registry, temp folder, windows and system folder, most of the time. The pay ones in fact are no better than some free ones. I once used 5 pay ones, and 3 free ones, trying to clean up a users PC, but it was in the end, alot more feasable to just reload it over night.

Anyway, see the last post here for info on tweaking and protecting windows XP systems. I left one thing out called Tweakui, used to be said it didnt work for Windows XP, but it does, has a couple usefull speed tweaks also, but anyway ... i have tested it by using web sites that love to infect you with spyware, worms, and other stuff, as well as intentionally downloading softare virus infected from kazaa to test Nortons, and so far, nothing.

http://www.bahamaswriter.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=878

Intersting you say that because some computer stores really rip people off. Cuz i bet that same 2.4 ghz computer is going for at least 900 bucks at many computer stores. I remember a time ago I went lookin for a processor and DC was selling some P4 1.8 ghz processors for over 300 dollars.

Not only is the hardware expensive but darn these techs charge 85+ bucks an hour to fix ppls computers? $60+ to remove some spyware. They probably just download an antivirus program (for free by the way) and run a scan. Man i need to get in this business.



actually if I was 17 again, id get into software programming and web applications, at an earlier age than I did I mean, thats where the real money is.

I started to learn C and VB from like grade 11, cuz that was the first time I had the oppurtunity to do so, as for web apps do you mean stuff like ASP and XML?

BTW HijackThis is a great tool if used properly. Gets rid of those nasty browser hijacks attempts, if you use IE that is.

yep, ASP, etc ..

I have been using Spybot Search & Destroy, over the rest, and it actually has worked the last few times, got rid of the hijackers even, I guess they have improved it some. Trick is to 'make' it do a scan on start up. Short of taking ages to go through all the registry and files and folders manually, though still wont work that way unless you get in the registry and windows explorer before windows starts up. Thats where a 3rd party Program comes into use. Once clean do the things I list on that write forum and you're good to go. Browse all the casino and russian porn sites you like and you will still be safe :-)

I started to learn C and VB from like grade 11, cuz that was the first time I had the oppurtunity to do so, as for web apps do you mean stuff like ASP and XML?

BTW HijackThis is a great tool if used properly. Gets rid of those nasty browser hijacks attempts, if you use IE that is.


Spyware is a very interesting subject. If you are familiar with VB (.NET) and C, investigating malware may interest you. Reverse engineering malware is a very good way of learning about operating systems, network protocols, and programming. Do a google search for the name “Lenny Zeltser” if you are interested in the subject.

Lenny is an accomplished software engineer who has made a career out of developing methodologies for examining malware. The good thing about his techniques is that most of the utilities are free.

*** Sorry I did not put a link to his site when I posted last night****

www.zeltser.com

actually if I was 17 again, id get into software programming and web applications, at an earlier age than I did I mean, thats where the real money is.


The money in tech is in Business Systems Analysis (BSA), Security, Continuity Planning and Auditing. The need to augment hard technical skills with “soft” management skills is in demand. The boom of the Internet 90’s and the billions spent on Y2K left many companies wondering about their Tech investment’s Total Cost of Ownership and the strategic advantages of their technology assets.

Many concluded that the money was not well invested. The overspending on technology for technology sake in the 1990’s led to the outsourcing problem for many technology workers today. Organizations are looking for people that are able to “translate” technical information into management “speak”. If you can do this, the world will be your oyster.

yep, ASP, etc ..

I have been using Spybot Search & Destroy, over the rest, and it actually has worked the last few times, got rid of the hijackers even, I guess they have improved it some. Trick is to 'make' it do a scan on start up. Short of taking ages to go through all the registry and files and folders manually, though still wont work that way unless you get in the registry and windows explorer before windows starts up. Thats where a 3rd party Program comes into use. Once clean do the things I list on that write forum and you're good to go. Browse all the casino and russian porn sites you like and you will still be safe :-)

Good timing on the subject, A new malware technique that takes advantage of the Digital Rights Management (DRM) in Microsoft’s Media Player was discovered. Malware authors are doing an excellent job of using protocols (rules of communications) to suit their own needs. This just points to two constants in security:

· More features equals more risk
· Once anything converted to digital form… Game Over