I'm nick, I am a computer tech in my neighborhood on a yes/no basis depending on the job, some as favors, some not

I happen to raise 2 cats and now a dog since we got one about a week ago*, although I am not a dog person and had issues with it, this one is ok for me(not too rough, just needs training from being in the pound)

*as of the time writing this, 9/3/11

pets ¶ 

This is my 1st cat, after her, I got my grey tabby

We named my tabby sammy, however, I cal her may-may(not entirely sure why,guess it caught on when I started calling her that)

The dog's name is Major, I have a picture I need to upload ASAP, but I took it in the pound so I may not use it for 2 reasons, 1) I took it in the pound 2) I took it on a iPhone 4, which nobody liked the dell guide I used my iPhone with

professional life ¶ 

I accept most computer jobs in my neighbrhood, what I take and don't take is simple, take almost all jobs but DV reflows(i do others tough, dv series fail like crazy!)

I work on computers in my neighborhood for 2 reasons

1) I needed to do something with my talent

2) I was bored doing nothing with all my talent here and restoring old computers here when I could of did this YEARS ago for people

There is one thing I NEVER fix, never have or will, DV series laptop video issues, not even I do this(but do attempt recovery if it's possible)

I never fix for a reason, the FAILURE RATE! It is INSANE how many I can recover in a MONTH, about 5-10, sometimes 10-15!, I tell people I refuse to fix these ticking deathclocks for this reason and all I do is recover the data on dead GPU ones, but am glad to fix anything else other then the GPU or motherboard

*wireless failures are a warning the failing GPU is destined, not all do this

DO NOT reflow these or pay ANY company to reflow(some refuse to reflow, most replace the boards, some don't bother and commend somting more reliable) they need to be reballed and Reboot IT said they last a year before they go again, they can, but be warned they may not last long and I STRONGLY recommend reballing these

How i handle dead DV 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9XXX series computers is simple, mention the failure rate and suggest a more reliable computer then these things, otherwise they still want a fix even infored how much it is(the price is very similar due to the cost of it being mixed from various suppliers) and the fact it may die a year and a half later again, i'll replace the board entirely and leave the old board with the owners if they want to show someone what goes bad and willingly mention why they fail(GPU disconnects from board), activate Windows with a activation rep(the online system does not work, nor automated) on my own phone unless offered a phone to, if the board is too costly, tell the customer to reball them because I do not have the experience or equipment to do these things

why it pays to be my own technician ¶ 

As we all know, compaines(i'm not naming anyone most companies do this) will export thier tech support to india or something where they make 2 cents a hour, as a result, NOBODY can understand them!(same with me, never could)

Now to the point of why i'm glad to be my own technician is very simple: no need to deal with not being able to understand the rep over the phone, not to mention you may have to PAY them to help, where if your'e your own tech, you don't have to pay.