Was this a scam?

Attalus · 03-10-2005, 01:50 PM

Well, to make a long story short, we got a virus from the DSL and I was unable to remove it or them. I now have a firewall and up-to-date antivirus software, installed by the techie that removed the viruses. He reinstalled Windows, and everything seemed fine, but I found myself unable to play NWN. I checked, and all that I had for a video card was the crap default thing that H-P includes. I called the guy to ask why my Nvidia GeForce4 wans't working, and he said that he had removed it, because there was no driver included in the stuff we gave him along with the tower. I went by the shop, and he gave me the card, which is awaiting Piestrider to come and instll it. Do you think this was deliberate? I am still upset about it.

Morgeruat · 03-10-2005, 02:11 PM

It could have been, he should have given you the card seperately after he'd gotten the comp up to date. check your hardware and make sure everything else that should be there is. Or it could be a simple case that he just forgot (although even without the drivers your display should have at least worked in 16bit mode...

I would be suspicious, and check out the local BBB if he runs a business if he's had complaints similar to yours then be glad you got your stuff back...

Hivetyrant · 03-10-2005, 02:42 PM

Definantly, it takes a couple of minutes to get Nvidia's official Geforce drivers (forceware) from the net, he had absolutly no reason to take tht card.
I dont believe that this is a normal thing to do, that was stealing and he probably thought he could get away with it....

Jorath Calar · 03-10-2005, 07:35 PM

What kind of a techie is that?

Like Hive said, it takes ten minutes to get the drivers for the card and so what if he didn't have the drivers... what business had he taking the card out?!

I would definetly report him to some sort of authority...

Q'alooaith · 03-10-2005, 07:48 PM

Sounds like a scam to me.

Cerek · 03-10-2005, 08:06 PM

I agree, Attalus, this guy was trying to rip you off and probably thought you didn't know enough about your computer to notice.

As everyone here knows, I've had TONS of trouble with my main PC since last summer and I've sent it to two seperate PC shops several times to be fixed. There is NO REASON TO REMOVE A HARDWARE COMPONENT just to get rid of a virus. I've learned the simplest fix is to tell the tech's to just wipe your PC clean and re-install the OS. You can also ask them to save and re-load any specific files you don't want to lose (like My Documents).

One store DID keep telling me my video card was crap and tried to SELL me a new one, but I declined each time. It was one of the few components I didn't replace on this PC - and I've never had any problem with.

Not having the drivers is ridiculous excuse, since most drivers ARE available from the internet.

This guy was trying to scam you.

Luvian · 03-10-2005, 08:09 PM

Why do you pay someone to format your computer?

shamrock_uk · 03-10-2005, 08:15 PM

Because the vast majority of computer users aren't either confident enough to do it or aware of how to do it?

Kakero · 03-10-2005, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Luvian:
Why do you pay someone to format your computer?

Isn't that's what everybody is doing? [img]graemlins/confused2.gif[/img]

Luvian · 03-10-2005, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kakero:

quote:
Originally posted by Luvian:
Why do you pay someone to format your computer?

Isn't that's what everybody is doing? [img]graemlins/confused2.gif[/img] [/QUOTE]I do it myself... [img]tongue.gif[/img]

03-10-2005, 01:50 PM	#1
Attalus Symbol of Bane Join Date: November 26, 2001 Location: Texas Age: 75 Posts: 8,167	Well, to make a long story short, we got a virus from the DSL and I was unable to remove it or them. I now have a firewall and up-to-date antivirus software, installed by the techie that removed the viruses. He reinstalled Windows, and everything seemed fine, but I found myself unable to play NWN. I checked, and all that I had for a video card was the crap default thing that H-P includes. I called the guy to ask why my Nvidia GeForce4 wans't working, and he said that he had removed it, because there was no driver included in the stuff we gave him along with the tower. I went by the shop, and he gave me the card, which is awaiting Piestrider to come and instll it. Do you think this was deliberate? I am still upset about it. __________________ Even Heroes sometimes fail...

03-10-2005, 02:11 PM	#2
Morgeruat Jack Burton Join Date: October 16, 2001 Location: PA Age: 43 Posts: 5,421	It could have been, he should have given you the card seperately after he'd gotten the comp up to date. check your hardware and make sure everything else that should be there is. Or it could be a simple case that he just forgot (although even without the drivers your display should have at least worked in 16bit mode... I would be suspicious, and check out the local BBB if he runs a business if he's had complaints similar to yours then be glad you got your stuff back... __________________ "Any attempt to cheat, especially with my wife, who is a dirty, dirty, tramp, and I am just gonna snap." Knibb High Principal - Billy Madison

03-10-2005, 07:48 PM	#5
Q'alooaith Emerald Dragon Join Date: December 10, 2003 Location: UK Age: 40 Posts: 961	Sounds like a scam to me. __________________ -Jenn

03-10-2005, 08:06 PM	#6
Cerek Registered Member Iron Throne Cult Join Date: August 27, 2004 Location: North Carolina Age: 61 Posts: 4,888	I agree, Attalus, this guy was trying to rip you off and probably thought you didn't know enough about your computer to notice. As everyone here knows, I've had TONS of trouble with my main PC since last summer and I've sent it to two seperate PC shops several times to be fixed. There is NO REASON TO REMOVE A HARDWARE COMPONENT just to get rid of a virus. I've learned the simplest fix is to tell the tech's to just wipe your PC clean and re-install the OS. You can also ask them to save and re-load any specific files you don't want to lose (like My Documents). One store DID keep telling me my video card was crap and tried to SELL me a new one, but I declined each time. It was one of the few components I didn't replace on this PC - and I've never had any problem with. Not having the drivers is ridiculous excuse, since most drivers ARE available from the internet. This guy was trying to scam you. __________________ Cerek the Calmth

03-10-2005, 08:09 PM	#7
Luvian Ironworks Moderator Join Date: June 27, 2001 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Age: 43 Posts: 6,763	Why do you pay someone to format your computer? __________________ Once upon a time in Canada...

03-10-2005, 02:42 PM	#3
Hivetyrant Jack Burton Join Date: August 24, 2002 Location: Aussie now in the US of A! Age: 37 Posts: 5,403	Definantly, it takes a couple of minutes to get Nvidia's official Geforce drivers (forceware) from the net, he had absolutly no reason to take tht card. I dont believe that this is a normal thing to do, that was stealing and he probably thought he could get away with it....

03-10-2005, 07:35 PM	#4
Jorath Calar Harper Join Date: October 6, 2001 Location: Iceland Posts: 4,706	What kind of a techie is that? Like Hive said, it takes ten minutes to get the drivers for the card and so what if he didn't have the drivers... what business had he taking the card out?! I would definetly report him to some sort of authority...

03-10-2005, 08:15 PM	#8
shamrock_uk Dracolich Join Date: January 24, 2004 Location: UK Age: 41 Posts: 3,092	Because the vast majority of computer users aren't either confident enough to do it or aware of how to do it?

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