Computer repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What computer repair is

A technician diagnoses a slow, crashing or non starting desktop or laptop, then repairs the hardware, fixes the software problem or replaces the failing part. You need it when the computer has become unreliable and you want the cause found before you pay for a new machine.

Signs you need it

  • The computer is very slow to start or to open programs
  • It crashes, freezes or shows a blue or black screen
  • It makes clicking, grinding or whining sounds from the drive or the fan
  • It shuts off on its own or overheats under light use
  • It will not turn on, or powers on but shows no display

What the pro does

  • Asks what changed, such as an update, a new program or a drop or spill
  • Runs diagnostic tests on the memory, storage, power and cooling
  • Backs up your files before making changes, if the drive can still be read
  • Repairs or replaces the failed part or cleans and reinstalls the software
  • Tests the computer under load and returns it with a summary of the work

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Whether the fault is software, a failing drive, memory or a power problem
  • The make and model, and how much the computer must be taken apart
  • Whether the parts must be ordered and how long they take to arrive
  • Whether data backup is needed before the repair
  • Whether the machine is a desktop or a laptop, which changes the work
  • Whether a reinstall of the operating system or the programs is required

What a written quote should spell out

  • The diagnosis and the test used to confirm it
  • The parts replaced, with the model and whether they are new or used
  • Whether files were backed up and where they were stored
  • Labor for each step, including any software reinstall
  • Warranty for the parts and the work

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you back up my files before making changes?
  • What tests did you run to find the fault?
  • Is the drive failing, and can it still be read?
  • Will you keep the old parts so I can see what failed?
  • Will the repair cover any software I need to reinstall?
  • What warranty do you give on the parts and the labor?

Red flags

  • Wants to wipe the computer before any diagnosis or backup
  • Says the computer needs a new motherboard without testing it
  • Will not show the test results or the old part
  • Asks for remote access to your computer without a clear reason and a limit

What you can do yourself

Write down the symptoms, when they started and any recent changes, and back up your files to an external drive if the computer still starts. Do not open the case if the computer is under warranty. Call a technician for any hardware fault, any drive that makes noise, and any spill or water damage.

Licenses and permits

A license is usually not required for computer repair. Check with your state or local licensing agency about any business registration that applies, and ask the technician to show proof of training or a repair record.

Computer repair questions

Will I lose my files during the repair?

A good technician backs up your files before making changes. Ask for that in writing, and keep your own copy when you can.

Is it worth repairing an old computer?

It depends on the fault and the age of the machine. Ask the technician for the repair cost and whether the other parts are near the end of their life.

Can a slow computer be fixed without a new part?

Often yes. Many slow computers need software cleanup, a reinstall or more memory rather than a new part. The diagnosis will show which.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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