Need some help?

You'll often find that a computer tends to give up the ghost just when you need it most. This can be very frustrating for anyone who was working on a special project for work or anyone who just wanted to log onto partypoker for the evening, only to find that a load of error messages have appeared in place of your usual interface. But how do you find out what's wrong?

Well, if you're computer-savvy, you can troubleshoot using your own experience, error report analysis, and Google, if it comes down to it. But most would rather call in an expert - especially when there's a risk that they could lose data, and although backups are common in today's Dropbox-assisted digital environment, your operating system will sometimes hit you with the big, serious errors just before you're about to host the files or email them to yourself, just to be safe.

Losing a day's worth of work can be extremely frustrating, and even backup drives can suffer from their fair share of problems. A PC expert can come in, lift the data off the drive (if it's possible), and help you restore your computer to a state before the one that caused it to collapse into a pile of error messages and blue screens. So relax, call them, and watch them work their magic as you hope desperately that the latest draft of your novel made it through the data apocalypse.

If it's a peripheral, such as a mouse, you're usually better off going to get a replacement, as mice are cheap (unless you're using a high-quality mouse such as a Razer, in which case repairs may be worth the expense if it's less than the cost of replacing it altogether). But always take your computer's health seriously - keep it in a cool area, make sure its means of cycling in air through the fan isn't obstructed, and so on. Healthy computer, no data loss, no tears. Sorted.

If you need more help:-

I offer free advice and a "no fix-no fee" policy. I charge only for my time so you must obtain any parts yourself. I have over 30 years professional experience with PCs, various operating systems and many software applications, and can offer practical, realistic and unbiased advice. If I take on a job for you and I can't fix it, there will be no charge. You must bring the computer to me (just the base unit) and collect it when it's fixed. I will demonstrate that it is has been repaired before you pay me and take it away. Typical charges are:-

Hardware upgrade or repair -- £20

e.g. fit an additional hard drive, add USB ports, replace graphics cards etc. Remember that sometimes it is not worth time and effort trying to upgrade or repair old computers. If you tell me the age and full specification of your computer and generally what you use it for, I will tell you whether or not it's worth doing.

Data recovery -- £30

In most cases, I can recover data files from a corrupt or damaged computer - even if it won't start up. Files and documents that can be recovered will be copied onto external media such as CDs, USB datasticks, secondary hard disks etc which you must provide, or I may supply at cost.

Re-install Windows -- £40

This is usually the best and quickest option for a computer that has become too corrupt or infected by viruses and popups that can't be removed. An additional benefit of a "clean" install is that all redundant software is removed and the computer will perform exactly as it did when it was new. I will:

• format the hard disk, which will erase all existing documents and programs
  
• where appropriate, partition large hard disks into multiple drives for easier future maintenance
  
• perform a full re-installation of the Windows operating system
  
• re-install any additional software such as Microsoft Word, Excel etc, providing you have the original disks / licences.
  
• apply the latest Microsoft software and security updates, where applicable
  
• install my preferred antispyware and antivirus software which is free for domestic use.

NOTE: The original operating system CD and licence number must be provided along with driver software for any non-standard components such as graphics cards, sound cards etc. There may be an additional charge for locating and installing missing drivers. Please understand that this is a full format and re-install and any documents or programs which were stored on the computer will disappear. You must backup anything of value first.

Replace exisitng operating system with a Linux one -- £30

Refurbished PCs

I have a few working PCs which I no longer require. Each is in full working order and includes a power cable, keyboard, mouse, but no monitor. I have removed the original Microsoft Windows and installed an up to date Linux operating system which includes the OpenOffice suite of programs (word processor, spreadsheet etc). They are priced between £40 and £80 depending on specification.