There are lots of computer repair and maintenance companies claiming to have solution to consumers' computer problems. Maybe they truly do, or maybe a great deal of them are rip off.
The present economic quagmire should teach people to be more curious in throwing money out to the incompetents. So the following is the first set of questions you should ask them before you show them the money and trust them with your computer:

1) What diagnostics tools are they using?
2)...

May 27, 2009, 3:30pm: Here I sit, all broken-hearted. Big day in my life, I believe even bigger than tomorrow. The past couple of days has had me tying up loose ends – Banking, Forwarding mail, Canceling car insurance, Vacating apartment, etc. I have also forwarded a final few possessions to friends and family. I have parsed down the things I am going to take with me a couple of more times. I am packed – one suitcase & my backpack with computer, camera, a few paperworks, etc. My bags are in...

Considering how confusing computers are to a large portion of the population, the servicing of such is an even bigger area usually grayed by the lack of standards. Without standards, how can one set a real expectation? The idea here is to understand what the difference is between what you should be getting and what other companies may be telling you that you're getting. The most overly used word in this field is "Experience." Many companies use this as a sole factor to qualify their work...

These last few days have been real difficult for me. Once again I face the real possibility of having to crawl under a bush each night as I run around with a small backpack and my laptop...hoping to still be able to work over my computer while literally homeless.

My landlord still has not made up his mind about whether to allow me to remain or not...even if I come up with $200 in rent money to be paid by the 1st!

More relevant to my struggle of faith in the last few...