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How to choose who to work on your computer

timmy — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:09:49 +0000

A while back I wrote an article for MakeUseOf.com titled 5 Sites To Learn How To Repair Your Own Computer. In it I complain about the repair prices of the “big box stores.” Well, as it turns out I found an interesting video depicting some investigative reporting done on the topic of PC repair. Check it out for yourself:

This kind of stuff happens quite a bit. For instance, in the article I wrote, I also mentioned someone I knew who had a virus removed and anti-virus software installed for several hundred dollars. Well, something similar happened to a family member this week. Let me explain.

It started when the family dog chewed and damaged the cord to a laptop. The computer continued to work properly with the damaged cord so they just continued using it. Suddenly there was smoke so they stopped using it and brought it in to Best Buy to see what kind of damage there was. After plugging the laptop in with the damaged cord and attempting to turn it on with no response, they had a suggested diagnosis. They said they could have it sent away at the cost of $35 but that it would probably be a waste. They thought the motherboard was fried and that the cost of repair would add up to more than the cost of a new laptop.

As someone who has worked on and at computers for years, there was a few obvious things they didn’t think to do before jumping to the “time to replace” spiel. One of those steps was to try using a CORD THAT WASN’T DAMAGED! Forgive me if I sound haughty when I refer to that as obvious.

In this situation I was able to step in and save my family from impending unnecessary spending, but not everyone has someone close who can help. Here are a few tips to help you find someone or someplace that you can trust to work on your computer in situations when you can’t fix it yourself.

(1) Ask around

If you are trying to find someone you can trust, ask people you trust for referrals. The key here is obvious, if you are looking for advice you can trust, ask someone you KNOW you can trust! Do you know other people with a computer? These days almost everyone does. One tip would to not ask someone who does NOT even have a computer; odds are they won’t have good advice about them. Ask other people you know and trust who they go to and their experiences. At least that is a good place to start.

(2) Look for reviews

After asking around you’ll hopefully have a few options to choose from. Once you have that list to work from, you can then look up those references and see what kind of reviews they have. There are several places online you can go to find business reviews.

One place I go to is Google, more specifically Google Maps.

I just search for the city and state, click the arrow, and click “search nearby.” OR you can run a search such as: “computer repair loc: CITY, STATE.” In the balloon you’ll find a link for reviews.

Another good site to search is the Better Business Bareau.

The BBB‘s website not only lists businesses registered with them, but also other businesses. It lists pertinent information like owner’s name, addresses, phone numbers, possible complaints, etc. Its worth a shot.

There are also other good sites to find reviews. Do some research and find out what people are saying. Get a consensus of the “crowd.”

(3) Ask good questions

There are a few questions you should ask the computer technician before handing over your computer for repair (from About.com – PC Repair):

How much do you charge per hour?
Can You Tell Me How Many Billable Hours This Might Take to Fix?
Do You Have a Minimum Charge?
Should I Expect Any Charges Other Than the Hourly Rate? (I’d be specific and also ask if there is a fee for diagnosis)
Do You Charge Extra For In-Home/Business Service?
Do You Guarantee Your Service?
When Might I Be Able to Pick Up My Computer?

On a similar note, you also should be able to explain the issue thoroughly to the technician. A good thorough explanation of the issue with give you the best odds of getting the issue resolved. Check out this About.com article titled: How to Describe Your Problem to a Computer Repair Professional. I also asked a group of computer techies some questions including what kind of things they like people to do BEFORE seeking help. Check out the interview series.

What tips do you have for someone looking for a good computer repair service? I’m sure someone can add something to this list!

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“Techie” Interview Series 5 – Joey Camarena

timmy — Thu, 14 May 2009 04:45:23 +0000

I ran into Joey while visiting his blog, cleartechinfo.com, which is a blog dedicated to the technology and computer beginner. He makes some very good tutorials showing how to get things done on the computer. Check out his blog, you may find it useful! Here’s the interview he was mkind enough to give:

Bio:

My name is Joey Camarena. I was born and currently live in Southern California. I have an A+ certification. I have worked a couple of years at a large retail store named “Fry’s” and about 7 years at Creative Labs Inc. I currently work for a local school district as a Computer Tech.

Do you mind being called a “techie” friend?

I do not mind being called a techie friend. I don’t get insulted that easily, I have been called much worse, lol.

How long have you been interested in technology or computers?

I have been interested in computers since the 4th or 5th grade. A neighborhood friend had this computer from Radio Shack which we played video games on. I begged my father to buy me one, which he did. Then years later he bought me my 1st real computer, a 386. I then discovered “Wolfenstein” and eventually, “Doom 2″. 1st person shooters became my heroine. So I had to learn how to build and maintain them to keep up with the latest hardware that was compatible with the newest FPS games.

Do people in your life (friends or relatives) seem to turn to you for computer related problems?

Yes. Most people I know, family, friends and coworkers turn to me for help on computer related issues.

If so, does this bother you?

This doesn’t bother me. I don’t mind helping out at all as long as I have the time. The only times I do not help them out the same day or weekend is when I want to get out, away from the computer and have a social life. If they call me up on my cell and leave a message I just call them back the next day. If they want me to fix their computer I just tell them I will not be available that weekend since I am busy.

If someone would contact you for assistance, what kind of steps should they take before asking for help?

The first thing I would tell them is to “RTM” (read the manual *edited*), lol. Next thing I would tell them is to make sure that all the cabling is plugged in correctly and restart the computer. Last thing I would instruct them to do is type their question into Google.

Where do you see the internet in 10 years?

In 10 years I see the print versions of newspapers going out of business and the industry transitioning 100% online or near that figure. I see the Internet integrated into more appliances and vehicles. People will have a very tough time living without it, even more than now.

Your opinion on:

Best OS?

I have used Linux (Ubuntu and Fedora), XP and Vista (32 and 64-bit versions). The best operating system for most people is the 32-bit version of Windows XP Pro. It is the friendliest and most compatible OS that runs smoothly as long as you have a half-way decent PC. If you are very good with computers and don’t mind initially jumping through a few hoops I’d recommend Ubuntu.

Best Web browser?

The best browser is Mozilla Firefox. It runs smooth, fast and has a ton of free add-ons. I love it so much it was the main subject of at least a dozen video tutorials I have made.

Best free/paid antivirus program?

The best Anti-Virus program I have used is Kaspersky Anti-Virus. The computers at work are all using a different brand since I assume it was a lot cheaper to purchase but not nearly as good as Kaspersky. I had my boss buy me Kaspersky Anti-Virus since I noticed there were a lot of virus problems these past 9 months. I combine Kaspersky with the free version of Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware to scan and disinfect any computer at work that is infected with viruses/malware, etc. That combo works great. I do not have much experience with free anti-virus programs so I do not know enough to comment on them.

Best search engine?

I don’t think there is any doubt that Google is the best search engine. I can’t live without it.

What are the top 3-5 websites you visit regularly?

Thanks for giving us some of your time, Joey!

-Anyone else, feel free to add to or comment on anything discussed above!