Cheaper Geek Squad alternatives to fix your PC.
Computers rarely fail these days, but when they do, getting professional help from companies like Geek Squad or your local equivalent can be costly. If your computer is down and you don’t want to increase your hourly rates, there are several ways to fix the problem at a lower cost.
Read:8 Alternatives to Steam For Buying PC Games Online
1. Be Your Own Investigator
Computers are complex machines, but they all undergo a logical diagnostic process. The trick is to work your way down the list of possibilities until you are sure you know what the problem is.
This may require experience and some knowledge of how computer hardware and software works, but there are a few basic rules of thumb that anyone can follow to have a good chance of solving a problem:
Undo the last thing that happened (such as system updates, driver installations, software changes, etc.). Run an integrity check on the system file. Make sure your drivers are up to date. Remove recently installed hardware. Disconnect any peripheral devices that are not needed for diagnostics. Eliminate possible options (for example, replace the mouse to determine if it is defective, the computer or the mouse).
This is not an exhaustive list, but the idea is to be structured and work from broad possibilities to specific ways of exclusion.
2. You May Have Free Tech Support Already
Before pulling out your credit card, keep in mind that you may already have free technical support included with certain hardware or software you purchased. This is a great alternative to using Geek Squad. For example, you can get Windows technical support from Microsoft if you are a licensed user.
If you are having problems with drivers or software for your hardware, such as the GPU, you can usually contact support via email. If your hardware is still under warranty, it is absolutely imperative that you let the manufacturer or agent fix any problems rather than trying to fix it yourself.
Sometimes when you buy a new device or computer, you also get a year or two of technical support, so it’s worth checking to see if this offer is included in your purchase price.
3. Google It
We will tell you a little secret. When you submit your computer for evaluation, Geek Squad technicians are likely going to Google for answers, unless it’s a common problem they already know. While a good computer scientist can solve a problem without the help of the Internet, this is usually the fastest way to fix it. After all, if they can fix the problem quickly, it means they can get more paid work.
You need to accurately describe the symptoms and then enter them into a search engine to make this effective. If you use the correct keywords and description, you will most likely find a solution.
4. Hit Up the Forums
Internet forums have been around for almost as long as the Internet itself, and many communities are a treasure trove of knowledge and advice. If you cannot find the exact answer to your problem on the forum, you can always (politely) help and describe your specific problem.
While there is no guarantee that someone will answer for you, we usually find someone with the appropriate knowledge to help. Just remember that no one gets paid here for tech support, so behave accordingly!
5. Ask a Friend
Chances are good that one of your friends (or one of their friends) is an experienced tech manager. You can try asking for help using your connections, and it might work out cheaper than going to an official repair or Geek Squad tech support.
While you may not always expect friends to help you for free, you may not have to pay in cash. A bill of exchange for a future service or other form of payment (like homemade food) is all they ask for. If money does change hands, it will likely be less than what a formal computer repair business would cost. Just keep in mind that if a friend is working on your computer, there are no guarantees, and if something goes wrong, you have no way out.
6. Get Comfortable With a Screwdriver
If your computer problems are related to searching inside your computer, removing parts, checking components such as heat sinks and fans for damage, or otherwise working with “scary” electronics, it might be time to get used to it.
While devices like smartphones and tablets are largely non-user-serviceable, desktops are not. Even most laptops are easy to open and touch, unless you have a good reason.
Computer components are designed in such a way that it is more difficult to assemble them incorrectly than to assemble them correctly. The situation has changed a lot over the years, and anyone who can read and follow instructions with a little patience and attention should have no problem. What’s more, this is the age of internet videos, so you can find endless demos showing how to perform maintenance, repairs and diagnostics on your computer. This brings us to our next tip!
7. Check YouTube
There is so much quality tech content on YouTube that you’ll almost certainly find beginner-friendly explanations and instructional videos to help you solve your problems. Now is probably the right time to tell you about our very own YouTube Tech Tips Channel on the Internet. You will find many quick and easy solutions as well as simple technical explanations.
For example, if you want technical advice on building your PC, try Gamer’s Nexus. If you’re just going to learn about computer technology, you should also read the 5 YouTube channels every serious technology fanatic should subscribe to.
8. Shop Around for the Cheapest Geeks
If you’ve exhausted all of the options above and are now in a position where you have to pay someone to fix your computer, you still don’t have to pay the rates that regular computer repair franchises like Geek Squad charge.
You can use tools like Google Maps (and of course Google itself) to do some comparison shopping. Why not call your local stores and ask what their hourly wages are? One of the smaller specialty computer repair shops might even have a special rate or special promotion as they have to compete with the larger box stores.
Be sure to compare the low price with the reviews of customers whose computers were repaired at a particular store. You end up getting what you pay for, so finding the right balance between service and price is critical. Often computer repair shops like Geek Squad are in better locations like malls, roads, because they have huge rental bills and running costs, so finding technicians who have opened a shop where rent is cheaper can be a great way. get lower rates.
Cheaper Geek Squad alternatives to fix your PC
Cheaper Geek Squad alternatives to fix your PC