LONDON, UK

On this page you will find a summary of my (John Cairns') main Windows (7 and 8) computer services, with their prices listed on the 2013 Prices page. More detailed service information can be found on that page by clicking on the title of a service. Other services include Computer Lessons and Website Creation. You can also download and print my Services & Prices and Computer Buying Advice files.

One reason is because I am reasonably priced. Many of my services only take between 1 Hour (£15) and 2 Hours (£30) to perform, plus an additional £5 Call-Out Fee per home visit, and for that you get a Professional Job.

As an example; When I install Windows as a "Full Windows Installation" it means exactly that. I will install Microsoft Windows, Windows Updates, Security Software & Updates, Third-Party Hardware (i.e. Printer and Router) and Third-Party Software (i.e. iTunes, Skype and Microsoft Office). In other words, you will NOT get a "Bare Minimum Installation" from me.

When I set up your Apple Mac iCloud hardware and/or software (i.e. Wireless Printer and iPad) I will show you they are working by giving you a mini-tutorial on how to operate them.

                     

Simple. Being a mobile computer service means I don't have the same overheads and costs as a Computer Shop for example and can therefore offer you affordable prices.

If your computer problems are going to take a while to fix, such as a Virus Removal and/or Software Clean-Up, whereby it's going to cost you more than £80 for example I will normally cap the overall, total, price to £80 in that case; depending on circumstances such as how many overall jobs were done and how many computers were worked on.

Although I'm affordable, it doesn't mean I'm "Cheap & Nasty", "Unprofessional" and "Unqualified" - Quite the opposite. Read these web pages properly and you will soon discover what I can do for you and how I have helped my clients.

If I ask you Diagnostic Questions over the phone (or in an e-mail) it's not because I don't know what I'm doing, it's because I'm trying to save us both some time and money. For example, sometimes I will diagnose your computer problems over the phone whereby I can tell (guide) you over the phone what to do to fix those problems; therefore avoiding a £5 Call-Out Fee for you whilst saving me unnecessary travelling time. In some cases, usually for my regular clients, I don't even charge for this service.

With my expertise I could easily charge £40 Per Hour, but because I acknowledge times are difficult and you have worked hard for your money I like to give "Value For Money" by way of low, affordable, rates.

1 Broadband Modem/Router installed, with Wireless Connection and Password if required. Wirelessly connect PCs, MACs, iPads, iPhones and Network Hard Drives.

You may need to show me your broadband provider Letter(s), E-Mail Address(es), User Name(s) and Password(s) before installation which is quite normal and necessary for a smooth installation.

A Safe Copy of your Documents, E-Mails, Downloads, Photos, Videos and Music will be stored on YOUR External Drive and/or DVDs for later Data Recovery, if required.

Windows 7 / 8, Office 2010, Data Backup, The Internet, Online Safety & Security, E-Mail, Website Management, Social Media, iPad, Apple Mac and much more. I also teach more advanced lessons, at my descretion, but they will cost extra!

If you are new to the iPad I can teach you about Basic Set-Up, iCloud, The Internet, E-mailing, Synchronising, Apps and more.

The installation of up to 2 Devices, with their software if necessary, for £15.

Types of Hardware Device installed: Memory, WebCam, Printer, Scanner, All-In-One, Hard Drive, Sound, Graphics, Phone, Wireless Etc.

I don't just fix computer problems! I also set up new, out of the box, PCs, Apple MACs and iPads so that you can be assured they are set up and work correctly.

If you need advice about what computer to buy, what security software to use and/or hardware specifications just give me a call. Many new and existing clients have done so and bought goods I have recommended for their needs and/or budget. This advice is Always FREE.

Removal and/or Clean-Up of Unwanted, Left-Over, Problem software. Includes virus scanning, virus removal and the installation of FREE protection software, if required.

Types of Software installed: Windows, Microsoft Office, Security, Printer, Mobile Phone, WebCam, Messenger and other Third-Party Softwares.

Installation of Windows using YOUR Windows DVD or Recovery Option with Security Software, Updates and standard Third-Party Hardware/Software installed too.

The installation of Microsoft Office, Skype, ITunes, etc are additional installation services that may cost extra depending on the timescale of the overall installation.

Is It Worth Fixing? - If your computer has the Windows XP operating system installed on it, which is perhaps too slow for you to work with due to natural wear and tear of the hard drive and/or because of software corruption, you may need to ask yourself "Do I Need A New Computer?". Why? Because the price of getting it fixed and/or running smoothly again could be, too, expensive.

What About Cleaning Windows XP? - In many cases a Clean-Up Job (removal of unwanted, problem, corrupt, left-over, bloated, software) can surphise whereby your computer is bearable for another year or so, but the downside is that a clean-up job may take up to 3 Hours to complete with no real, visible, improvements. Windows Updates and Security in general do not help either because they add to the bloatedness/slowness. At the end of the day a typical clean-up may cost you £60 and only act as a temporary fix/solution.

What About Reinstalling Windows XP? - This is another option you could take, but reinstallation has become costly - You may need to buy an upgraded version of Windows (i.e. Windows 7 - £100+), especially if you have lost your original Windows XP DVD or deleted its Recovery Partition from the hard drive. You might also need to buy a new hard drive (£40+) due to natural wear and tear and/or because it does not make sense putting a new Windows onto an old worn-out hard drive. Either way, Windows will need to be installed on a hard drive (£60 Labor). As you can see; if you are lucky it could cost you a £60 reinstallation of Windows XP, but on the other hand it could cost you a new hard drive (£40+), a new Windows 7 (£100+) plus an installation fee of £60. So at this point you would need to ask yourself "Is It Worth Reinstalling Windows XP? Or Should I Cut My Loses And Buy A New Computer?".

Security Issues - Although Windows XP is still being supported by Microsoft Windows Updates, until 2009 or 2014 (depending on your version of Windows XP), as a whole it's not that secure anymore. Hackers and Virus Programmers can easily take advantage of Windows XP's security and system weaknesses. This is something you need to take into account as a Windows XP user. Security Software (i.e. Anti-Virus / Internet Security software) can protect your computer to a degree but not as well as you might think or expect.

Hard Drive Issues? - An hard drive in general tends to work fine for 4-6 years, after which time it begins to get noisy and start tripping over data like a scratched record. Slip Disc (or slip hard drive) syndrome in other words - The hard drive grinding noise begins to overtake the natural sound of the computer's fan. Months or Years later the hard drive starts making a tinny sound (like someone scraping a metal spoon around a saucepan!) before finally going into "Loose My Data" mode and/or "Always Restart The Computer" mode. If your hard drive is beginning to show these signs of wear and tear you should think about having your Windows XP and/or Computer serviced.

What About Windows Vista? - Windows Vista is okay for the moment because it's only just over four years old and therefore still has plenty of life in it!! which means if you do need it reinstalling on the same hard drive, with the original Windows Vista DVD, at some point it will be worth the expense.

I work in areas that are within 1 Hour of travel from Central London, using London Transport (Tube and Bus), and cover the following areas in general. Meaning, I do visit more areas than shown here but it depends on the time of day, neighbourhood, travelling distance and other factors as to whether or not I can visit those other areas.