Top 10 Computer Repair Consumer Tips

• Choose a reputable person/company
If you don’t know anyone that repairs computers you may be tempted by an advert online or in a local newspaper. It’s never a good idea to leave your computer in the hands of someone you don’t know or trust. Rather than phoning a mobile number you see locally, you may be better off approaching some more established computer repair shops.
• Make sure you agree to any costs up front
Wherever you go to have your computer fixed, make sure you agree on a price up front. If the person or company can’t do that until they’ve looked at your machine then make sure they phone you with a quote before going ahead with any repairs.
• Get a timescale for completion of your repair
If you rely on your computer for business or leisure it’s best to ask about how long it will take to repair. You don’t want to be in a situation where you’re without it for weeks at a time.
• Make sure you get a receipt for your computer
If you take your computer into a shop to be repaired, make sure you get some kind of receipt, even if it’s a large national company.
• If possible remove any personal or sensitive documents first
Depending on what’s wrong with your computer, you may be able to remove any personal or sensitive documents first before taking it in for repair. In any case, if your computer is still capable of booting up, it’s wise to take a back-up of all the files you need in case they get lost or deleted during the repair.
• Check your computer is working properly before paying
Before handing over money for your computer repair you should check that it’s working as it should be. The original problem may be fixed but then there may be something else wrong. It’s worthwhile testing it before leaving the shop/handing over money to someone who has come to your home to make sure the repair has been done to your satisfaction.
• Ask about a guarantee on the repair
Another good reason to go to a reputable company to have your computer repaired is the likelihood they’ll guarantee your repair. If you get your friend’s brother to repair it in his bedroom after school, there’s no real comeback if things go wrong later on.
• Look for any new applications that may have been installed
If you have any doubts about the person that’s repaired your computer then it’s a good idea to look for any suspicious applications on your machine when it’s returned. You should also run a check for viruses and malware to ensure your machine as is safe as it was before the repair.
• Get someone to come to you if possible
Ideally having someone come to your home to fix your computer is better than leaving it somewhere that you don’t know what might be happening to it. If you go down this route, just make sure you are aware of any call-out charges and hourly rates in advance.
• Look online for the answer
Clearly this final tip is no use if you only have one computer and aren’t able to get online. However, if you can, you may be able to save yourself a lot of money and inconvenience by looking for the answer to your problem online. There are lots of sites that feature common computer problems and how to go about fixing these.