TechFilter: I'm part of a medium-sized IT support company and we're looking at some new helpdesk/workflow management software. What advice can you give on your setup or software you are currently working with? [more inside]
posted by de1mar on Oct 14, 2009 - 8 answers

I have no idea what to charge to be "on call" for a year, just in CASE a computer has a problem. [more inside]
posted by CommonSense on Aug 4, 2009 - 22 answers

Someone died and willed me a helpdesk... Ok, not really inherited, but in my current job I am now responsible for helping our helpdesk grow and run more smoothly. It's work that I enjoy. What I am missing, however, is an online forum or mailing list that allows me to communicate with other helpdesk managers and planners. I have looked around in various places, but have come up dry. Does anyone know of any resources along these lines?
posted by tcv on Feb 16, 2008 - 13 answers

What should I install on my sister's computer when we meet up for an hour or so; in two categories free and not-so-free [more inside]
posted by trashcan on Jul 16, 2007 - 19 answers

My HP Pavillion dv4000 is not allowing me to log into the computer. It did this once before saying i lost my password and i had to have my ex do some trickery and it was fine. Now it is doing it all over again. This time I did not have a password..it has just locked me out completely. [more inside]
posted by eve28 on Jun 17, 2007 - 9 answers

Please help me figure out why my computer stops reading my 1TB WD My Book Premium II external storage thinger before I punch it. [more inside]
posted by Bageena on Jan 9, 2007 - 8 answers

MacFilter - How do I remotely work with Macintosh PC's? [more inside]
posted by SirStan on Sep 14, 2006 - 8 answers

I work partly as IT/network support for a company whose focus isn't specifically IT. As such, most of the employees are not very knowledgeable in this area and come to me for help on fixing issues on their home computers. I'm not really into this, but I'm not sure how best to decline to help. I don't mind advising people on things, but when they ask me to go their house to fix their home computers I balk. Today, someone asked how much I charged to "reformat" their hard drive, which I suppose is better than just asking if I can fix something, but what if I don't want to run a half-assed consultancy?

On the flipside -- if I did want to start charging, what do you think would be a normal rate for this kind of stuff? Should I bother setting up a business name? I had thought about such a business before I got this job, but now that I'm a full-timer, I'm not sure I have the interest in doing this as a sidejob.
posted by Big Fat Tycoon on Dec 29, 2004 - 17 answers

Computer fixing frustrations - what to do when you've replaced (pretty much) every part and the problem continues? (more inside) [more inside]
posted by Mossy on Sep 15, 2004 - 9 answers