Service
Android Aftermarket Firmware installation service
For most Android smartphones and tablets, no operating system or security updates are provided by the manufacturer for two to three years after market launch.
Such a device should not be used for security reasons.
As environmentally conscious planetary inhabitants and as a security measure against malware infestation, we should, however, continue to use these devices, as long as they are still in good shape on the hardware side, for as long as possible, if there is an alternative third-party firmware variant for our model at all, also known as "Custom ROM" or "Aftermarket Firmware".
Added value of a custom ROM or aftermarket firmware
Custom ROMs offer us - based on the free Android Open Source Project (AOSP) - a secure platform with regular operating system and security updates.
Most initiatives that provide custom ROMs for different devices free of charge deliver the Android operating system without any Google Apps (also referred to as "GApps" for short), but usually offer the option of installing the GApps to different extents during the installation process via the Linux command line. Thus it is possible to provide only the Google Play Store functionality, up to installing the full scope of all GApps, such as Google Maps, Gmail, Google Now, Google Drive or Google Play Music, ..... So if you choose to do without most GApps, you will be rewarded with improved battery life, as many of these apps otherwise consume power in the background.
To protect the resources of our planet and also to mitigate the human rights problem from mining to production of new devices, there is the possibility for many models to install such a custom ROM, e.g. "LineageOS" or "/e/OS", which are usually geared towards security and data protection and often in principle enable higher battery life, see https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_von_Android-Custom-ROMs.
The GApps can mainly come from either of the following open source projects: MicroG, or Open GApps.
Android Aftermarket Firmware installation service
By installing a custom ROM, all data on the device is deleted. The smartphone is connected to a PC via USB and during the procedure, which is also called "flashing", I must first install an alternative boot loader via the Linux command line. Then the custom ROM can be flashed and, if desired, a variant of the GApps can be transferred to the device.
However, the whole procedure is not exactly trivial and difficult to implement by non-professionals.
If, for stated environmental, human rights and safety reasons, you wish to use your device as much as possible until the hardware fails, I offer a chargeable service that includes:
- Research whether there is even a reasonably usable custom ROM for the respective device: 21.00 € plus VAT
- Clarification whether and to what extent data should be migrated: (if yes: 42.00 € plus VAT.)
- Clarification of whether GApps are desired (and to what extent)
- Flashing the custom ROM, possibly the GApps and possibly migration of the data: 42.00 € plus VAT
In total, the service costs a maximum of € 105.00 plus VAT.
In principle, flashing a custom ROM is a rather delicate matter. In extremely rare cases, the smartphone or tablet can become completely unusable, it is then said to be "bricked", i.e. technologically worth as much as a brick. I therefore give no guarantee whatsoever for the success of the action - but the price for the service will then of course be refunded.
Interest aroused?
For customers in Oldenburg (Oldb) I offer this service as part of the Resource Center of ReparaturRat Oldenburg e. V.: https://ressourcenzentrum-oldenburg.de/shops/custom-rom/
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Remote maintenance for computer problems
Do you have a computer problem, is your computer or notebook on strike? Is certain software no longer working properly?
I'll find the solution and fix the error in a remote maintenance session!
If you are using Windows or Mac OS, I can help you. Just click below and start the programme, give me your ID and password over the phone and I'll be able to operate your desktop and work on solving the problem.
If you are using Linux, please install AnyDesk or TeamViewer so that we can set up a remote maintenance session.
For a session I charge a flat rate of € 60.00 plus VAT and after the connection is established I charge € 1.00 plus VAT per minute.
It is important that you describe the error or task to me in as much detail as possible in advance so that I can quickly narrow down the cause of the problem.
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Linux Computer Installation Service
I offer a Linux installation service for residents of Oldenburg (Oldb) and the surrounding area.
The service is primarily aimed at Linux beginners or those switching from the Microsoft Windows world. For example, since Windows 8.1 has no longer been provided with security updates since January 10, 2023, your old notebook, netbook or old PC can continue to live for a long time with a slim, high-performance Linux distribution. Resources and thus our ecosphere are protected and preserved!
You bring me your computer and I will install a Linux distribution that is suitable for your device within a few days. The particularly slim antiX distribution is best suited for particularly old devices or devices with few hardware resources. After installing the operating system, I install and configure any unrecognized drivers for the hardware and prepare the software. If new hardware needs to be installed in the computer, I do it in advance. You can pick up your PC, notebook or netbook the next day or after a few days.
Most Linux distributions already contain standard software for everyday work, such as web browsers (e.g. Mozilla Firefox), email clients (e.g. Mozilla Thunderbird), office packages (e.g. LibreOffice) and image editing (e.g. GIMP).
If you want to use my service, you can reach me in Oldenburg every day on 0441 960 199 3, or preferably by
The price for my service depends on the actual effort at an hourly rate of €60 plus VAT.
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Windows Computer Installation Service
For residents from Oldenburg (Oldb) and the surrounding area, I also offer a Microsoft Windows installation service.
You bring me your computer or notebook and I will install the latest Windows version. If necessary, I will buy a cheap license for you. Of course, I can also set up a dual boot environment based on Linux and Windows. You can then choose which operating system should boot when the computer starts. I then install any required drivers for the hardware and install a set of standard open source software. If new hardware needs to be installed in the computer, I'll do it right away.
If you want to use my service, you can reach me daily on 0441 960 199 3 in Oldenburg, or preferably via
The price for the service depends on the actual effort required based on my hourly rate of currently €60.00 plus VAT.
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