At 04:24 PM 15/02/2006, Christopher Fisk wrote:
We have a standard diagnostic timeframe, where we'll look at a
machine and make a judgement call on which is the better method,
generally that diagnostic time includes things like a quick virus
scan, spyware checkers, verifying caps on the board, looking at the
startup, etc. This usually takes about 30 minutes or so, and at
that point, if we're confident things are going well on the
removals, we'll generally move forward with cleaning the machine.
How you know that things are going well on the removals? If, as has
been argued here, it is impossible to find all the malware on a
machine, then it seems to me one could never be sure that removals
are working. Is there a specific system you use to make this
decision (if you want to reply off-list, feel free.)
Formats and reinstalls generally aren't done unless the machine keep
crashing in safe mode, or other things that would slowdown the
system recovery beyond a few hours. It's hard to quantify what
triggers us needing a reinstall, as it is a judgement call we make.
But very few machines that I see crash in safe mode, or do anything
abnormal once I've completed the malware removal routines that I
use. I'm still not sure what would make you realize that you hadn't
successfully cleaned the machine. I'm interested because I'd like to
incorporate your findings into my repair routine.
As for the total time on reinstall, configuration, updates,
etc: Windows can be reinstalled with 15-30 minutes of keyboard
time, driver installs generally take anywhere from 15m-1 hour
depending on if we need to track down what they have or if they
provided us with that information
Total time on a machine generally (not always) comes in at 3 hour
billed to the customer.
Sol most people are looking at $240 US for a repair? I'm definitely
moving to your town. :)
T
