Welcome to Custom Computing Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I think my PC has a virus. How much is it going to cost to fix it?
A. There are a lot of variables that will determine just how long it takes (i.e. how much it costs) to get your PC back in shape. Here are some common examples of repair costs:
Case 1: You have antivirus software that has NOT expired (so the definition files are current), but you are getting constant popups about being infected.
In most cases this can be resolved in 1 or 2 hours (see our prices page for current hourly rates).
Case 2: Similar symptoms but you don't have antivirus software, or you have one that has expired so the definitions are not up-to-date.
This case will usually require more time and the odds are higher that we will have to reinstall the operating system, so it is more likely to be 2 or 3 hours, and if you don't have a recent backup, you can add another hour or two for data backup and recovery.
Q. Will it cost less if I drop it off instead of you making a house call?
A. Possibly. Virus scans, spyware scans, chkdsk scans...these typically take a long time to complete. If you drop your pc off it will be put on the workbench with others and you won't get charged for all of this scan time since I can start the scan and then move on to other tasks and come back to yours when the scan is done. Whereas with a housecall you pay for the time spent at your home or business.
Q. My computer randomly shuts down and restarts. What's wrong and how much will it cost?
A. This is almost always a power related problem. The power supply, can be replaced rather quickly (they run around $50). If the power supply is good, the problem could be caused by failing capacitors on the motherboard - which are easy to spot since they will be swollen and/or leaking electolytic fluid. In that case you could replace the motherboard, but it may be more cost effective to just get a new pc.
Q. If I need you to reinstall Windows on my pc, do I need to have the installation cd?
A. Yes, with one exception: Some pc manufacturers put "restore" partitions on the hard disk to restore the pc to the factory condition. In that case you don't need an installation cd.