I know how you feel. My family depends on me to be there computer technician, but whenever I make a suggestion they do completely the opposite. I've found that blocking out access to certain things helps, and then you just have to deal with someone calling you to install something, but it's better than having a complete system failure over some virus or something!

Tell him that unless he starts following your advice, you won't fix it for him. You aren't his personal IT person and you won't be treated as such. Sometime you have to be cruel to be kind. Good luck!

As long as he says please and thank you. He is your friend after all. Would you not expect him to do the same?

I have EXACTLY this problem with a friend of mine. He bitched to no end about how slow his old computer was. I offerd to build him one, all he had to do was pay for parts. He insisted on buying a new one because it was less hassel. He then went to tiger direct, bought all the parts he thought he needed, tries to put it together without knowing anything, calles me 5 times a day with questions like "whats the diffrence between an AGP and a PCI" or "where do i put the green and white wires" etc. He thought thad his DVD drive would act like a hard drive, couldn't figure out why his ribbon cable for his floppy drive didnt fit with hid DVD drive, and continued to insist he didnt need me to come over! I finally just showed up at his house and did it for him because I was sick of answering the phone all day. I told him he owes me a six pack for my time. I think he was just embarrased that it was so easy for me, and he didnt know anything about it. There is a down side to helping your friends like this, because when something goes wrong, guess who the call.

I don't know Darkling and I want you to promise me if you find an answer to be sure and let me know. I have the same problem right here at home. My wifes favorite past-time is "clicking links". Yes, she makes some friends that way and takes in on average about $50 a month. She is also on computer #4 in 2 years. There is nothing more dangerous to do on the web than "click links". The Geek Squad guy was even here once to try to get a particular "nasty" off her machine and he cringed when he saw what she did. He told her there is no such thing as software to protect her if she continous this practice. She's still at it.

You teach people how to treat you so if you continue to fix the problems he creates over and over again this sends him a clear message that you are OK with it - even if you say you are not. He will assume that despite what you say, if you were not OK with it, then you would not do it and would have said so. Do not be a doormat. Do not feel guilty - he knows you do and that you feel bad enough to fix it for nothing every single time. Next time it happens, tell him what to do/not to do etc and make sure you make it clear that "If you do not do what I have advised & ignore all or part of it, I will have to charge you at the going rate if you want me to fix the problems you have caused. Sorry, that is the way it is." Remember, this is a statement and not a question and is not up for discussion. Say it like you mean it. Then, if he does the same as always, stick to your guns and do what you have said you will do. When you arrive to fix the PC remind him of what you told him and (this is important) - ask for the payment before you do the work (& stick it in your pocket). This is the deal, take it or leave it. If he takes it, make sure you write down what was wrong before, get him to sign, then write what was fixed by you and again, get him to sign it. Then there will be no misunderstandings, it will be clear, cut and dried and no arguments will ensue. This is the only way to do it. It is unfortunate he is sick - however, you're not and thus have to work for your money which is every bit as important as his is. He may not like it and may just moan and grumble and all the rest of it - take no notice at all - he's not so sick that he cannot willfully abuse an expensive piece of equipment, it is not a toy afterall. And you need to put food on your table or you won't be fixing anything at all.