So what’s next? All you know for sure is that your computer needs to stop being broken as soon as possible, but do you call tech support? Do you take it to a computer repair service? Before you do anything, see Simple Fixes for Most Computer Problems. In that piece, we talk about just a few, super-simple things that anyone can do that might just do the trick and let you avoid having to pay for a solution. If those don’t work out, or don’t apply to the problem, read on below for all the help you’ll need to get your computer fixed.
First Things First: Don’t Panic
Before we get to your options for getting your computer fixed, we want to make sure you feel comfortable with the idea of getting it fixed at all. It can be a scary thought, trusting your priceless data with people you don’t know. How do you know if your data is safe from being erased or, maybe worse yet, safe from being looked at by the repair tech? Here are the three main options you have to get your computer fixed:
Option 1: Ask a Friend to Fix It for You
Very often, your best bet is to ask for help from a more technology savvy person in your life. The advantages of getting a tech-smart friend to fix your computer problem are clear: it’s often completely free and also usually the fastest way to get back up and running. Don’t think you know someone that can help? You probably do. Everyone seems to know someone that’s “good with computers,” and if you think about it, someone surely comes to mind. In fact, you can bet somewhere in your extended family is a “go-to gal/guy” that always seems to have the answer to your computer question. The 12-year-old down the street is probably worth asking, too! If you’re lucky enough to have this friend live close by, you’re in great luck. If not, and the problem isn’t too serious, they might be able to fix it remotely. There are plenty of free remote access programs that your friend can use to get into your computer without either of you having to leave home. While it’s still fine to get help from a friend, if your computer is still under warranty, be sure to let your friend know so they don’t do anything that might void that warranty. If your friend gets to that point in their troubleshooting, then Option 2 is probably a better way to go.
Option 2: Call Tech Support
If you’re “lucky” enough to experience an issue early in your ownership of your computer, then you may be entitled to free technical support as part of your warranty, up to and including a replacement computer. Most computers come with at least a 1-year warranty, but your computer may have come with a longer one, or you may have purchased an extended warranty at the time you bought your computer. Unfortunately, most computer owners don’t know what sorts of problems are covered by their warranties, nor when that warranty ends. If you aren’t sure, and can’t find your warranty details, find your computer maker’s phone number and give them a call to find out. Your computer maker’s tech support service may still be able to help even if your computer is out of warranty, but that help will probably cost you a high hourly fee. In this case, it’s often cheaper and easier to hire independent help: Option 3. Technical support usually starts with an over-the-phone conversation, meaning you may be doing the hands-on computer troubleshooting work at the request of the technician at the other end of the line. Problems that can’t be solved together over the phone usually result in you having to mail the computer off for several weeks. If you’re lucky, a local, authorized service center is another option.
Option 3: Hire a Computer Repair Service
Last, but certainly not least, is the option to hire an independent computer repair service. All cities in the world, and even most smaller towns, have more than one option when it comes to computer repair services. Unfortunately, many choices doesn’t make choosing easier—quite the opposite. Finally, we want to mention online computer repair as an option. When you hire an online computer repair service, you typically start with a phone call and eventually allow the service to connect to your computer remotely so they can fix the issue. Unfortunately, since remote access is such a huge part of this type of computer fix-it service, it’s usually only a good idea if the computer issue you’re having isn’t impacting your ability to connect to the internet or if, obviously, the problem isn’t hardware related.
