Questions about getting a computer serviced

[shadow theory]

Today one of my older computers went down, it was a HP 7950 and I spent a good hour and half with a technician talking about it, after I had exhausted what little I knew to fix the problem.

The computer simply no longer responds to the power button, and we both ran through the myriad of attempts to get it to work. (I'm very savvy when it comes to fixing a computer from the software side of things, but hardware is still a very foreign concept to me.)

I was subsequently told, after being unable to fix the problem, that I should take it to a Best Buy, Radio Shack, or Comp USA to be serviced.

I have several questions:

1.) How much does it cost for them simply to look at the computer? The computer, being four years old or so, is no longer under warranty.

2.) For anyone with knowledge of the problem, how much would you estimate a repair for this would cost? I use that computer for school mostly, and as a student don't necessarily have the funds to purchase a new computer if the repair is much cheaper.

3.) What is the process at these places, what is the turn around speed? Do I turn the computer in one day and get a quote back a few days later with the cost to fix it? Is it faster, is it a slower process?

4.) Also I have material on the computer that is sort of dumb to have, things like my SSN are more than likely in the computer's memory somewhere, as it was for the better part of my schooling the ID used to log into school functions and stuff. Credit Card numbers that were used in purchases, etc, is that a cause for worry if I'm handing it over to people at one of these stores? (No this question is not about porn, they can peruse my porn all they like

)

 

[Mangofett]

Your harddrives are probably going to get formatted when you get it back. Just a warning. I suggest you remove them and buy a cheap blank one.

 

[Osaka]

is the power supply switch on the right region? >.>;

 

[iritegood]

Best bet is to get a geeky friend to fix it. Best buy/Similar employees are paid to run through a check-list and recommend you to upgrade your hardware components.

"I think you have too many viruses, you probably need more RAM"
"It seems your version of internet explorer is old, you should buy a new video card."

Get one of the local computer shops, I've had better experiences with them.

 

[shadow theory]

Thanks for the replies, I've been looking at more local places that have their rates posted, but it seems a bit too pricey for my tastes, especially considering the labor + the cost of very probable replacement parts.

At 50 bucks an hour at some places, I may be better served sadly ponying up for a new machine. Perhaps I can talk my father into splitting the cost with me, since I shall be leaving for a bigger university in a few months. I swear, I'm just not meant to have money, hehe.

If it comes to that, I have an added question, I was looking at just getting a computer through HP, but are there any other places where a person who is not to savvy at hardware could cheaply buy a reliable computer?

 

[kellyan95]

I can walk you through everything that a best buy techy would do for free

And around here I charge $20 an hour, and barely get any business

 

[hankchill]

Nuts, if you were local to me I'd fix it for free for ya

I fix hardware and software for a living.

 

[sirAnger]

Blah, super late response.

I'd go with a Dell, TBH. I have a home-built computer, but my office ships out dell laptops and desktops exclusively. They're quite reliable and cost effective. Our customers haven't complained either.

 

[shadow theory]

Nuts, if you were local to me I'd fix it for free for ya

I fix hardware and software for a living.

That's it, I'm going to Canada!

Also thanks for the replies, and you aren't late SirAnger I shall be mulling over all my options for the next few days. I have this other computer I can work on in the meantime, I just need to be able to get a new one prior to moving for school in January.

 

[cubin']

Make sure you find a professional computer shop that is of small/medium size. They are usually the best, they give a warranty on their work and will be happy to fix it up if anything more goes wrong. I can fix computers myself but I prefer for a computer shop to do it because I don't have the time and the fix is guaranteed to work or they'll fix it for no charge.

Small computer shops - single people aren't the best. if they fuck something up they might not have the money to fix it.

Sorry, can't really help you with your question

 

[JPH]

I think that you should not get someone to service (not at a store, atleast). Either learn to do it yourself or find someone who does.

My aunt & uncle are ripped off atleast one month.
Any computer problem, they call up a local computer repair service store.

They think I'm too ignorant to fix their simple mistakes, because of my age...but anyways.

Basically, just a warning, they don't give you a fair price for fixing your shit.

 

[shadow theory]

Yeah, I understand that they probably charge more than it's worth. Now looking at it more and more, it would seem it would be a more advantageous option to simply buy a new rig, as much as my wallet cries. Luckily I still have a working monitor, speakers, and keyboard/mouse combo so I can just buy a new tower.

Also I do not need the new computer immediately, and can wait for a few months and save up some extra cash.

Another question, is there a way I could buy a shell for my old HDD and be able to get to those files with the new computer?

 

[kellyan95]

Ok, the power button doesn't work - do any of the fans twitch at all, including the PSU fan when you press it?
Simplest solutions first: Try a new power cord
Second, either test the PSU in it by shorting wires 14 and 18 and seeing if it starts up, or hooking a new PSU into your PC and seeing it it turns on
If the first one works (and the second doesn't), it's obviously not the PSU. Check for physical mobo damage, mainly blown capacitors. See if the power button is functioning properly.
If the second works and first one does it, your PSU is dead

If you are unlucky enough for the PSU to be working and a new one not, there are a lot more possible issues

 

[nintendofreak]

a few possibilities:

1) Power button is physically broken.
- if you get a multimeter, you can check and see if pressing the button does anything.
2) power supply died.
- this is the case alot of the time. Again, if you had a multimeter, you could easily test to see if its putting any voltage out


In all honesty, i would never take my computer to a best buy or any other place. Those guys rob you!! The first computer I had was a compaq (one of the FIRST 1ghz models

) Our printer would only print in black and white. We tried everything, buying new ink, restarting, cleaning. We even took it in. They could not find the problem. It turned out there was a setting that was changed on the printer.... What a waste of time and $$$

Ask some friends who know more about hardware first if they can help you try to fix it up.

Btw, live anywhere near Los Angeles

 

[shadow theory]

No I'm on the other coast, sadly.

Anyone with the know how in GA? I know it's a longshot, but hey, worth an attempt.

 

[kellyan95]

Something against taking PC repair advice from people on the net?