How Long do you Try Repairing Before Reformatting?
As a small-time computer consultant I’ve dealt with dozens of customers who bring me computers loaded with viruses and spyware. I’m of the school of thought that a reformat is never neccessary, that–given enough work–any infestation can be overcome. But there is a point of diminishing returns, and I’d like to know where others think that point lies.
I’ve arbitrarily decided that at my current rates it’s no longer worth my customer’s hard-earned money to try and root out an infestation beyond two hours of labor. After that I suggest a reformat. Where do you draw the line?
October 27th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
I think that you’re pretty much on the money with the two hour rule. IF in two hours time there isn’t a possibility of finding the root and getting rid of it, then it’s probably necessary to retrieve what can be saved of personal information and reformat. As as matter of fact, what exactly are your rates? I think my HP could use a cleansweeping and some serious nerdly TLC.