There are number of things you should always do before handing your computer over to a professional for repair.
Having worked in a computer repair shop for years and now owning a technology support company, I'm well aware of the simple steps anyone can do that could completely eliminate the need to have a computer worked on professionally at all.
You could quite literally save hundreds of dollars and a lot of frustration by following some of the tips below.
1. Reset Your Computer
It's a long running joke that tech support people only know how to tell their clients to reset their PCs. I've had the displeasure of working with a few "professionals" that might have inspired that joke but please don't overlook this simple troubleshooting step.
More times than you would believe I would visit a customer's home or business, listen to a long story about the issue, and then simply reset the computer to fix the problem. I don't have a magic touch - computers sometimes encounter issues that they can't resolve. Restarting a computer clears its memory and reruns processes.
Make sure you reset your computer at least one time before scheduling computer repair with anyone. Your problem might simply go away.
2. Find a Solution to Your Problem Right Here
Computer repair isn't rocket science. If you think logically, have a little patience, and can follow directions then there's a very good chance that I can help you fix just about any problem with your computer.
I've seen people spend hundreds of dollars, sometimes more than the cost of a new PC, to have someone else fix a problem they could have easily corrected themselves with just a little help.
Search for your problem in the search box above or see my 5 Most Common Computer Problems and How to Fix Them article for help resolving the most common PC problems I'm seeing among my readers and clients.
3. Search the Internet for an Answer
Unfortunately I'm only one person and there's a lot of possible computer problems out there so there's a chance you won't find what you're looking for here. If that's true, head over to a popular search engine like Google and enter some keywords about your problem. Chances are someone else has had a similar problem and may have found a solution.
Since I won't be there to help you along the way, take great care when editing the registry, working inside your computer, and downloading "replacement files" and fixes from websites you've never used before.
4. Compare Local Computer Repair Providers
Before you take your computer in for repair or call an in-home computer repair service, make sure you're aware of all of your options.
Use my Directory of Computer Repair Services to see all of the computer repair providers in your area and even see reviews from other people who have taken their computers to these companies.
Once you've worked with one of these computer repair services, be sure to come back and leave a review so other people can make the best decision possible.
