Maybe you could contact one of the universities in your city and speak with the computer sciences dept. There may be some students looking for pt work and you may find someone that way.

If you have a little small business/computer shop close by. Call them and ask if they do inhome or can recommend someone.

Besides those good suggestions from Mes and Mikie try looking in the mirror. You have fathomed out how to come here for assistance, continue to do that. This will increase you skills and you will gain greater knowledge of the computer, it's components and the software you use.

You can Google many issues and find hundreds of good answers if there are no responses here that cure a problem.

Even hardware issues are hardly rocket science anymore. Just imagine the internals as Lego or Meccano, it all only plugs into each other and it is difficult to attach a part in the wrong place. Of course care is needed to avoid damage.

Take the left side off one day and just look in. You will see wires connecting the A: C: and DVD drives. The motherboard is the big lump it all connects to and under the fan is the CPU.

The cables connecting in the back of the case are all different apart from the mouse and keyboard DIN connectors, even those are coloured coded these days.

Look at craig's list. I placed an add for help, and found someone.

Angies List is a good place to look.

Here is a link that might be useful: Angies List

Thanks for these suggestions. Owbist, while I'm always learning, and I've been on this forum a couple of years, I have my limits in the tech area so I really do need outside support.

Angie's List is a great idea. I joined once but they had little coverage in my area. It only works if they have lists of people where you live. I will give them another try tho.

There are a number of places in the yellow pages but there's no way to tell if they are any good. That TV consumer protection expose I mentioned in my OP was very discouraging.

I know the best technican ever you will never go wrong with him and you will get the most for your money. I have been using him for years. I will enclose a link with some of his work www.themepsee.com He does computer repair and custom builds. If you need consultation call 646 203 3776 ask for Mike or email themepc@yahoo.com
You will not regret your choice if you decide to check him out!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: myspace

join today, just to tell us about him and give all those contact methods. Wow you must really like him.

Spammers like micsteria pollute the forums. Join me in reporting this trash and getting them removed so the forums can be of value. You can also complain to myspace too. And if you have free time on a phone, calling the joker to complain wouldn't hurt either! (Assuming it's an accurate phone # and not phony like the rest of his/her posts) Just don't do anything illegal or harassing (and there's a lot of things that COULD be done!). That's not legal nor is it right. But if each person offended voices a complaint to the right place, it should help.

Finding any professional can be frustrating. Word of mouth is still the best way IMO, but if you're having trouble, try expanding the base. Check with some professionals in your area and see who does their maintenance. Ask a smaller shop type place. Most all businesses these days use computers, but few of the small shops can afford to staff a full time person. Ask your hairdresser, accountant, real estate agent, attorney, vet, plumber, electrician, etc. Again, if it's a big operation, you're less likely to get a recommendation but it doesn't hurt. Ask who works on their home system too.

I favor the small shops, but finding someone reputable can still be difficult. That said, the places that deal with the businesses primarily and have been in business for many years suggests that they're doing things right.

One other thing, use common sense when having a stranger in the house. Don't leave cash laying out, avoid showing off antique collections, don't give them the code to the alarm system right away, etc. Use common sense. Think about your personal safety too! These days, you need to use a little extra caution.

A guy I know decided to hire a guy who had been referred to him. The guy stole a car from him, along with over $1,000.00 and a bunch of software, a gun and some other things... Well, he didn't save anything there. Sad situation.

Oh, and another thing. Don't just shop price! Cheap doesn't mean the bottom line will be cheaper. Expensive doesn't mean they know any more than you do! Ask about experience and how much time they think it'll take. It's difficult to give a price, but a price range can usually be estimated.

I would never reply to a post such as the one listed several posts above. Not to worry.

And Cynic, your advice was good but definitely raised my fear level. It's definitely a problem having someone in your home office whom you don't know. But checking local business references is a great idea--thanks.