Yesterday I wrote about how much I dislike poorly custom built computers. Today I saw a similar situation – computers custom built by kids.
By kids I don't mean children or young goats, I mean offspring.
While at home this family's two sons had built and maintainted the two family computers. Now those two sons have moved away from home and married.
I was called to fix things up and the call went something like this, "Hi, we need your help. My two sons usually fix the computers but now they both live out of town and they don't have the time when they come to visit to fix the computers."
When I walked into the situation one computer was completely dead and the other was loaded with all kinds of obscure utility programs like Norton System Works, remote control software, Windows Washer, and lots of "unlicensed" programs.
Also, the computer was not recognizing either CD-ROM drive.
I took the "working" computer completely apart and reset all of the jumpers. That got the computer working as far as the hardware was concerned.
I removed all Norton and other utility programs and installed AVG and Ewido. I left before the scan was complete, but the computer was already running better after removing about 88 small spyware programs.
Rick says it a lot nicer than I do, but I think one of the most important things I can teach a computer user is: Don't let your kids fix (or build) your computer, no matter how old they are and no matter who they work for.
Neither blood relation or employer guarantee computer expertise. In other words saying, "My son works for Microsoft or HP so knows all about fixing computers," is like saying "My son works for Ford so he knows all about fixing cars."
Just as there are mechanics, assembly line workers, designers, salesmen, and lube shop workers in the automotive world, there are many types of computer geeks. Anyone who claims to be an expert in everything is probably at best only mediocre at everything.
I apologize to Bill Gates' mom if she is reading this.
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