Leaving a computer at a shop

13 years ago

My regular guru that I used for over five years has left the area. I discovered a new computer shop just down the road from me. He's down a couple of simple things for me and so far seems very knowledgeable and competent.

He wants me to bring the computer in along with all the software so that he can really give it a good going over, remove any bugs etc. he may find and install any updates I don't have installed.

He is retired military and offers a military discount, which I like.

Just a bit apprehensive since he's only been in business a short period of time, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Any thoughts?

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Comments (5)

owbist
13 years ago
I cannot see myself taking my computer software programs to anyone else, these are registered and paid for by you and are yours. You have to protect them! For the most part driver updates do not need the original CD, you visit the appropriate vendor's site and download the latest drivers if they are more updated than the current drivers. Even then I am not a big fan of updating just for something to do.

You have been coming here often and long enough to know how to "remove any bugs" without lugging your computer down the street.

"Discount" seems a much abused word especially with service oriented tasks. As you have no idea how long any given task will take you cannot faithfully assume you get a discount. A person simply adds sufficient time to raise the bill then give you a generous discount.

Your man may be brilliant and I am just pointing to the possible downside of service work. Also you have not stated you are having any issues so what are you hoping to get fixed?

Please note this is written by a person who builds and repairs his own computers and has little need for outside help most of the time.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
13 years ago
I would never bring any software either unless it was specifically going to be re-installed for some reason and you can do that yourself.

what problems are you having that you need to take it to a shop for?
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DA_Mccoy
13 years ago
As a new business perhaps he is just trying to provide extended "customer service" by reinstalling the existing add-on applications so the owner doesn't have to. Just a thought as I do have mixed feelings about this, and would more than likely error on the side of caution.

DA
secsteve
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the nice words owbist and your thoughts ravencajun.

I bought it to him to clean the inside of dust as that's one area I won't touch. I'm sure I'm capable of doing that, but that's where I'd rather be safe then sorry.

The machine is an HP a605x AMD Athalon 2800, 512KB 2.08 GHz with a 500 gig hard drive and is nine years old. I misunderstood what he was talking about the software when I last spoke with him. That was IF he found any problems and had to reformat, he'd have me bring in the software and he'd reinstall it then and there, so I wouldn't leave the software with him.

He'll do a diagnostic which, as I'm sure you guys know, would check for any hardware problems or other related issues. He'd then let me know what he found and would leave it up to me as to what I would want to do.

Regarding the discount owbist, he's retired military like myself and it's not just a way to increase his fee.

Appreciate your inputs.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
13 years ago
ok that sounds much better! good you are having the guts cleaned out, that dust can really build up and do some harm in there. I am sure he will take good care of it.

Leaving a computer at a shop

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owbist

ravencajun Zone 8b TX

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DA_Mccoy

secsteve
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ravencajun Zone 8b TX

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Leaving a computer at a shop

Comments (5)

owbist

ravencajun Zone 8b TX

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DA_Mccoy

secsteveOriginal Author

ravencajun Zone 8b TX

COMPANY

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secsteve
Original Author