A solid backup plan for your data and system is the best disaster prevention measure you can implement. The real disaster with most hardware failures or malware infestations is not with the computer hardware, it is the lost data. In many cases this data is irreplaceable and has value beyond any dollar figure.
A regular backup plan, coupled with a disk image, turns any computer problem from a disaster into an inconvenience. Your data and programs are easily restored to a repaired computer, often in less than an hour. 
I can help you set up this disaster prevention backup plan. I offer friendly, personalized service in your home or at your business, responding to your needs, working directly for you and not for a box store or corporate middleman. I am an experienced hands-on network administrator/technician, supporting both Windows and Mac platforms, and I have handled many problems you are likely to have.
Set up Factory Recovery
$40 off site I will gather some information by remote session ahead of the actual work. Free follow-up phone support if needed to actually perform the recovery.
Research the method(s) available for your computer model.
Create disks if needed and available.
Document the keystrokes needed for built-in recovery.
Research availability of recovery disks for purchase.
Note: disks will likely be needed if you ever install a larger hard drive or if the hard drive becomes unusable, unless you make a disk image.
This allows you to restore the computer to the condition it was in when you first got it. Your data must be restored from a recent backup and any programs you installed must be re-installed.
Set up recovery by disk image
A disk image is a verbatim copy of your hard drive as it exists at the moment it was imaged, with all of your settings and programs the way you like them. It is a better way to recover your computer than a factory restore.
It will have all of the programs and settings that existed at that time. Once the image is made the computer can be restored to this condition in less time than doing a factory install. You can do the restore yourself in under an hour in most cases.
This includes setting up a data backup.
Since the exact condition of the computer is preserved, it is vital that the computer is in a reliable state. There should be no suspicion of having malware and it should run acceptably well.
We will also have to consider the amount of your data (documents, pictures, music) on the drive. If this is very large then it will take a lot of time to image it. The ideal way to do this (for faster recovery and to keep data separate) is to divide the hard drive into 2 partitions. The computer will act as if there are really 2 hard drives. We could, at extra expense, add a second hard drive.
$75 off site for this scenario using a disk partition.
$10 extra for a CD/license for do-it-yourself or free phone-assisted recovery.
Because of the copying and scanning time needed, this is a difficult job to quote a fair price to do onsite.
If the machine is not in a reliable state, then I will do a factory restore, replace software you have available, do all updates, and then make the image as above. This is the ultimate repair-tuneup. This would guarantee a clean machine with no malware.
$120 off site for this ultimate repair scenario.
Call 413-267-4757 or use the contact form below. If you use the form, it is the same as sending me an email. Your message is not posted on the site. I will answer calls and emails as soon as possible.
My privacy policy is simple: Your email address and other information are for my eyes only. They are used to follow-up on your inquiry. I do not give or sell this information to any other party, at all, ever.
Onsite is your home or office. Offsite means I take it and return it. There could be up to 3 days turnaround time. If I am not offering an onsite option it is because I would have to charge more than I think is cost-effective. However, if you absolutely need to have it done onsite we’ll talk to determine the extent of work and I can quote you a price.
My onsite service area is the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and nearby Connecticut, including the following towns: Springfield, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Hampden, Wilbraham, Ludlow, Chicopee, Holyoke, West Springfield, Agawam, Monson, Palmer, Belchertown, Ware, Warren, Brimfield, Wales, Holland, Somers, Ellington, and Stafford Springs.
I am available for remote support sessions. In some cases we would do some preliminary work by remote connection even if I eventually do some work onsite. If there is a particular remote service you would prefer, just let me know.
I offer free follow-up phone support for issues related to the original problem for 90 days. Initial consultation for any problem is also free.
Referral discount: If you refer someone to me who becomes a paying customer, I will give a 10% discount on the next service I do for you.