Q: How do I know I am getting the best value for my money?
A: We pride ourselves on honesty. Other repair shops will occasionally charge you a "shop fee", "cleaning fee", or other absurd made up fee. That is not the case here, nor will it ever be. We also give 10% off to any new customer who requests service!
Q: I have an older PC, will you charge me a lot of money for a virus scan that takes four plus hours? Is there a cap on what you charge? Does that include house calls?
A: An excellent question that we get asked a lot! As stated earlier we pride ourselves on honesty. We do not charge for a computer to just run ANY type of scan while we get paid on your dime just to watch a loading bar. That is not only immoral but outright thievery. We do not perform any actions or order any parts without mutually agreeing with you, the customer. Generally for a single PC or Laptop, depending on the work specified, we only charge an hour and a half. We do have a two hour charge maximum. This excludes more than one computer, house calls, a large site job, or special services. For more than one computer brought in at a time we generally work up a package deal. We know how it is to have to pay for service and would like as many satisfied customers as possible!
Q: What exactly is a "Diagnostic"?
A: A Diagnostic is by definition "The process of determining the state of or capability of a component to
perform its function". We run specialized tests on every component possible. If you do not know what is wrong with your PC, have no idea why it will not turn on, or just aren't Tech-Savvy, then a diagnosis is for you! We let you know before performing any action and ask if you would like to have a repair performed. Any diagnostic charges are WAIVED if a repair, service, or preventative
maintenance
is decided upon!
Q: How can I tell if my hard drive is bad?
A: The most simple test is sound. Our computer repair technicians have been trained to listen for spin up speed, clicking, and other knocking noises. If your hard drive starts knocking or clicking, it is time to backup! We offer backup services as part of our computer repair services, and can reinstall your new operating system on a new hard drive for you!Side note: storage and RAM for newer computers have become extremely cheap! These are also two large factors in computer performance!
Q: What does a standard repair service entail? If you find a problem can you fix it?
A: A standard service depends on the users specific problem. For example, a user reports several pop-up messages when browsing the Internet and when not doing anything. Experience tells me there is a malicious program in the background and the most safe and efficient methods to fix it. The problem is fixed and a technician does a full diagnostic on the machine to make sure there are no further problems. After all the work is performed the computer is opened up and all the dust is removed with highly compressed air. We describe in easy to understand language, with analogies, to help the user not repeat the mistake. We personally feel it is better to have a customer leave satisfied and feel more educated about computer problems, how to avoid them, and preventive
maintenance
tips. Most shops do not want to give away their "secrets" so you will have to bring the computer back again and again and again. We have nothing like that to hide and love helping people with their problems!
Q: We love your recycling services! It is great that you want to help the community and world become a better, more clean, and more green place! I was just curious though, why is there a fee for CRT Monitors?
A: Thank you for the compliment first off! We love knowing we are making an impact in our community! Computer monitors and screens before LCD screens are called CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). This tube contains all kinds of nasty hazardous waste! While the tube is not hazardous if it is in tact and vacuum sealed still, once broken open it becomes an ecological nightmare. CRT Tubes start the destruction with heavily leaded glass. Lead is a metal that is deadly in high dosages to children, but is not extremely bad in adults (small amounts). This is because lead affects the developing mind when ingested, inhaled, etc. When producing CRT glass, lead is smelted into the glass before it becomes a tube...sort of like how they make a stained glass window. Believe it or not the monitor gets most of its weight from this hazardous metal. There is an estimated 7-14 POUNDS of lead sitting dormant in your old TV or CRT tube. The other most prevalent deadly metal in a CRT is phosphorous. Behind the thick leaded glass is a screen which contains phosphorous among other phosphors. Phosphorous makes the colors light up on the screen when positively charged by the ray gun. Many neurotoxins, weapons, and deadly substances have a strong phosphorous concentration. It can also burn the eyes, skin, and mucus membranes if improperly handled. With a CRT that is unbroken this is not a worry, as the tube is vacuum sealed. Back to the question: we have to charge because of all the hazardous metals, transporting to a legal hazardous materials facility that ensures none of the metals go into the environment, and because of size. We have to store enough before a full load can be transported.
