Should I take my computer to somebody to fix it?

[#1 Cowboys Fan]

There was a recent post on TUG about someone owning a computer that wasn't functioning very well/fast anymore.
The advice given from TUGgers was NOT purchasing a new computer.
Rather, the advice was to 'save' programs/files/etc, then get rid of,
and re-install Windows, etc.

That advice was Waaaayyyy beyond something I could do myself; so I am wondering if someone could do it for me?

That is, could I take my computer to someone to 'fix it'?

My computer has been acting slower, etc for the last six months or so----so after reading that TUG thread, I thought of having SOMEONE try to do what was suggested.

BUT----How would I/(more importantly)THEY know what to save? What to get rid of?

How long might it take? What might it cost?

----perhaps if the original poster had asked these types of questions----the advice would have been to BUY A NEW COMPUTER??

Thanks,
Pat

 

[bogey21]

My computer knowledge puts me in the same boat. My solution is to buy a relatively cheap laptop (my last one cost me around $350) and ride it as long as I can then replace it when its performance starts driving me nuts. I think I have had 3 in the last 10 years or so. If, alternatively, I owned an expensive desk top, I think I would try to find a repair shop with a decent reputation and have them do what many of the other posters have suggested.

George

 

[Passepartout]

If you have a Best Buy or similar computer store around you, one service they offer is a 'tune-up' and remove 'bloat ware' (introductory, short time, stuff you don't want, trial versions of applications) that all computers accumulate over time. As to knowing what to save and what to get rid of, they will make a partition (probably called Pat's old Files- or something you'd recognize) on your hard drive with all your old data on it. It will still be available, just better organized and linked to programs you actually have. Before you turn them loose on it, you should back up your data and defragmentize your hard drive. You DO do those periodically, DON'T you? A defrag will speed it up if it's been a while.

Seems to me they charge a little over $100 an it takes about a half day. It should restore your computer to pretty much like-new performance.

Jim

 

[Mosca]

Man, I started to write a few different things, but each user's issues are different, and no one can give you advice on what to do without sitting in front of your computer.

Generally, your information is divided into "system" "applications" and "data". (There's more, but this will do.) "System" is the framework within which everything runs. "Applications" are the specialized programs: "Word", "Firefox", "Angry Birds"; the stuff that runs on your computer. "Data" is the output, the stuff you take in as information: your tax returns, your photos, your emails, your Angry Birds scores.

The person who works on your computer will back up your data, then reinstall your system and applications, then reinstall your data from the backup. However, sometimes data is stored within the application, like your Angry Birds score, so it will get erased.

Problematic is your email. If you use an email client like Outlook or Thunderbird, you will have to inform the technician that you want your emails saved, and she (or he) will back up that folder as well. If you use Gmail, Yahoo, or the like, you won't have to do that.

You might want to save your passwords to a Notepad file and store it in with your documents, so that they're backed up.


That's about it. You didn't ask, but I'll tell you anyhow: if you buy a backup drive, for around $100 (or less), you just plug it in, go to your Start menu, and look for "backup". (Or often the drive comes with a "backup utility", an application that automates backup.) It will search your drive for data and back it up by type; all docs, photos, and music. Then you'll have copies, just in case.

 

[Talent312]

Office Depot, at least the ones near me, offer free 'puter check-ups.
Of course, if they find a problem, they expect that you'll want them to fix it.

 

[Ken555]

I'm biased, since my business deals with these issues and more on a daily basis. Let me just say that Best Buy, Office Depot, and all the other retail establishments offering computer services are not expert at it. Consider you're paying an amount, in your market, which would likely be considered a reasonable amount (every city has it's own prices, typically). Then tell yourself that the technicians performing the work are likely between 16-24 years and have, perhaps, a high school degree. At that point remind yourself what the effective hourly rate is for the service you're paying. In Los Angeles, for instance, Best Buy has been known to pay between $14-22/hour for their staff. That is less than half what I pay my techs, but you get what you pay for (my staff has an average 14 years experience).

Needless to say, we have a number of new clients that come to us after they've experienced the joy that is big box service. Of course, YMMV. I have been very pleased with the marketing effort Best Buy has done with the Geek Squad, as it increased our sales as a direct result. Now that they've bought a managed services firm, it will get even more interesting.

My advice is to find a reputable consultant who will go to your home and charge you a reasonable hourly rate to advise and repair your computer. Chances are that you'll gain much more value out of this type of arrangement than any big box service, and you won't have to take your computer anywhere. However, I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn you pay more in the long run with this plan.

 

[Sea Six]

My suggestion is to run a clean-up program first, and see if that fixes the problems you are having. Google RegZooka and ARO 2011, as an example. If that doesn't do it, your PC can probably be fixed remotely by a service like PC e Support (pcesupport.com). They charge a flat fee no matter how long it takes to fix your PC, no charge if they don't fix it, and a 10 day money back guarantee. I went this route with my wife's laptop. It was barely able to run programs. Turns out she had a virus that the typical anti-virus programs, like Malwarebytes, couldn't find. Runs like new again!

 

[bogey21]

My suggestion is to run a clean-up program first, and see if that fixes the problems you are having. Google RegZooka and ARO 2011, as an example.

Anybody have thoughts, positive or negative, on ARO 2011?

George

 

[cp73]

Pat,

You asked a great question and not an easy one to answer. Ive had lots of experience with computers and have helped many with issues. Since you don't know how to fix it yourself you might want to consider this as my rule of thumb. If its over 4 years old I would replace it. I wouldn't spend $100-$200 to have a reputable person attempt to solve your issues. You could end up spending too much and then have that invested in an old computer. If its under 3 years old I would have someone look at it. I agree most problems today can be solved by reformatting the computer and reinstalling all the programs. This takes a lot of time (4- 6 hours) and doesn't always go without some hitches or lost programs. Unfortunately you won't know its gone until the next time you go to use it.

Now I know some will disagree with me. Yes computers can last a long time. Just like cars can last a long time. But if you don't know how to fix them you will be wasting money and at the end of the day still have an old computer. Programs are being improved all the time and each new upgrade takes more and more memory. You pretty much can't take a 5 year old computer and run a lot of new programs on them. Some you can some you can't.

Your best bet is to find someone you know who would be willing to take a look at it for you and give a good assessment of it.

 

[Nickfromct]

Pat,

You asked a great question and not an easy one to answer. Ive had lots of experience with computers and have helped many with issues. Since you don't know how to fix it yourself you might want to consider this as my rule of thumb. If its over 4 years old I would replace it. I wouldn't spend $100-$200 to have a reputable person attempt to solve your issues. You could end up spending too much and then have that invested in an old computer. If its under 3 years old I would have someone look at it. I agree most problems today can be solved by reformatting the computer and reinstalling all the programs. This takes a lot of time (4- 6 hours) and doesn't always go without some hitches or lost programs. Unfortunately you won't know its gone until the next time you go to use it.

Now I know some will disagree with me. Yes computers can last a long time. Just like cars can last a long time. But if you don't know how to fix them you will be wasting money and at the end of the day still have an old computer. Programs are being improved all the time and each new upgrade takes more and more memory. You pretty much can't take a 5 year old computer and run a lot of new programs on them. Some you can some you can't.

Your best bet is to find someone you know who would be willing to take a look at it for you and give a good assessment of it.

I would definately agree with this advice. Hard drives and memory have gotten so cheap that you can buy a great desktop with a ton of diskspace and memory for $400-$600 including the monitor. Plus, the battling of a bloated, slow computer is constant battle. You may fix it up for now but six months later than same symptoms will start to reappear.

 

[geekette]

I'm on board with the obsolescence yardstick to a point. It really depends on what you do with your computer.

I require modern technology so 3 years is about right for me. If all you do is surf, email, minor word processing, maybe you're closer to a 7 year replacement and a cleanup is all you need to be happy for a while longer.

But as with cars, fixing it today is no guarantee of problem-free use for any period of time.

Buying new is easier. Is it cheaper? That's unknowable, unless you buy new and keep the clunker running to compare. Hard for me to justify repair costs unless minor.

But these days, new pcs, laptops, gadget du jour, is waaaaaay cheaper to replace than ever before.

Replacing will also require you to retrieve your data, but assuming the old machine lives a while, it's not a "get everything Right Now or it's gone!" proposition.

 

[Sea Six]

Anybody have thoughts, positive or negative, on ARO 2011?

George

I used ARO 2011 on my desktop. It was running slow, but not horrible. I tried the free version just to see how it worked. The scanner found thousands of errors and junk files. The free version will only clean the first 100 items, so I paid the $29 for the upgrade. After cleaning all items, the computer ran like new again. Very impressed with how well it worked. I run it about once a month now to keep things running the way they should.

 

[Sea Six]

I also don't support hiring an individual to come to your house to fix your PC. With programs available like TeamViewer, it makes more sense to me to get a service like PCeSupport to fix the PC remotely. If the problem is over the head of the first tech, you get escalated to the next level of support until the problem gets fixed, or you don't pay. I went about my daily business at home while they spent 5 hours locating and removing the virus from my wife's laptop (which I am using now). I just hung around within telephone range in case they needed to talk to me while they were working. I paid a flat fee, so it didn't cost me anything more because it took 5 hours. This PC was so bad, it took 10 minutes to boot up, frequently froze up, and wouldn't shut down without forcing the power off. It was a MESS!