Computer repair advice/recommendations of repair shops

[Chris]

OK, so my HP computer recently died on me.  At first they thought it was the hard-drive, but after they sent me a new hard-drive, and I installed it, it had the same problem (would hang up/freeze within a minute or two of booting, whether I was in regular mode, safe mode, or even just in utilities to run tests on the hardware).  So, now I need to send in the entire computer for them to try to fix.

The problem is, I hadn't backed up the hard-drive, and they tell me that even if the hard drive is still good, they will wipe it out in the process of fixing the rest of the computer. 

Since I can't use the computer I have to back it up, I am looking for a computer repair place who will simply backup my hard drive onto an external hard drive (assuming it is still working) without charging me an arm and a leg, and without voiding my warranty. 

I have looked on Yelp for reviews, but they are few and far between, so I was wondering if anyone here has any recommendations for good computer repair shops in the Malden/Everett/Medford area?

[barefacedmonk]

Would it be cheaper if you bought an external hard drive and did all the back up work yourself?

[GranTur]

Whether you are having comp problems or not, it's advisable to have an external hard drive to back up your stuff.

Start with that!

[Chris]

Whether you are having comp problems or not, it's advisable to have an external hard drive to back up your stuff.

Start with that!

Bought one as it started to get wierd, however, it was already too late, and by the time I plugged it in, the computer would freeze before I could do anything.

I certainly learned from that mistake, and won't procrastinate on backing things up in the future. 

Would it be cheaper if you bought an external hard drive and did all the back up work yourself?

I can't do it myself, because I don't have a working computer to transfer the files from the internal hard drive to the external hard drive. 

[Roy H.]

Chris,

From what I've been told (I have a similar issue on an old laptop), you can purchase an "enclosure kit" that allows you to transfer files from your old hard drive to a new computer via a USB cable. 

Here's an example:  Link.

If the old hard drive has already been removed, this may be something that works for you.  I haven't done a lot of research into it, but it seems like it's worth checking out.

[boom]

Have you checked to re-seat the RAM?

[Chris]

Chris,

From what I've been told (I have a similar issue on an old laptop), you can purchase an "enclosure kit" that allows you to transfer files from your old hard drive to a new computer via a USB cable. 

Here's an example:  Link.

If the old hard drive has already been removed, this may be something that works for you.  I haven't done a lot of research into it, but it seems like it's worth checking out.

That looks like exactly what I need, thanks.  I think I will check that out first, before even thinking about bringing it someplace else.

Have you checked to re-seat the RAM?

Yeah, tested all the ram, and it was fine. 

[hardlyyardley]

Has great luck on three occasions last year with Staples Techies ....much better and faster than Geek Squad

[Silent Storm]

Next time you're in the market for a new computer I would suggest going with a Mac, they're more expensive but you get what you pay for. I used PCs all my life and then switched to Mac about half a year ago, would never go back to PC for a variety of reasons including the lack of glitches and problems.

[Chris]

Next time you're in the market for a new computer I would suggest going with a Mac, they're more expensive but you get what you pay for. I used PCs all my life and then switched to Mac about half a year ago, would never go back to PC for a variety of reasons including the lack of glitches and problems.

They are considerably more expensive.  Like 3x the price.  I also find them much harder to work with when anything goes wrong, or if I want to change anything.

The nice thing about PC's is that you can do pretty much anything you want with them if you are so inclined, and you can also expand on them pretty cheaply.  With Mac's, if you want to update them at all, generally it is tough to do, or incredibly expensive, since they pretty much have a monopoly on the parts, while there are hundreds of competing companies making parts for PC's. 

Most importantly though, I just don't need the performance of the Mac enough to justify the price.  Their biggest advantage in my eyes is that they can handle media editing programs much better than PCs (although PCs have caught up with Windows 7).  But since I am not editing a lot of music or pictures, it just doesn't make sense to pay that kind of money. 

[snowball]

do yourself a favor and go to this website:
electrocomputerwarehouse.com

talking 80-125 for top of the line refurbs

[Rondo2287]

Next time you're in the market for a new computer I would suggest going with a Mac, they're more expensive but you get what you pay for. I used PCs all my life and then switched to Mac about half a year ago, would never go back to PC for a variety of reasons including the lack of glitches and problems.

They are considerably more expensive.  Like 3x the price.  I also find them much harder to work with when anything goes wrong, or if I want to change anything.

The nice thing about PC's is that you can do pretty much anything you want with them if you are so inclined, and you can also expand on them pretty cheaply.  With Mac's, if you want to update them at all, generally it is tough to do, or incredibly expensive, since they pretty much have a monopoly on the parts, while there are hundreds of competing companies making parts for PC's. 

Most importantly though, I just don't need the performance of the Mac enough to justify the price.  Their biggest advantage in my eyes is that they can handle media editing programs much better than PCs (although PCs have caught up with Windows 7).  But since I am not editing a lot of music or pictures, it just doesn't make sense to pay that kind of money. 

agree.  I had a Mac, My new Lenovo with windows 7 is as powerful as the top of the line mac laptop and 1/4 of the price.  Never been happier.

[eddietours]

or you could buy a system76 laptop comes with Ubuntu install there good computers i already own 2 of them so  far no hardware issues and you can live free Open Sources Baby !!!!