How to Decide Where to Take Your Computer for Repair

These are the days when everyone has a computer; in fact, some of us have more than one. It’s no longer the possession of techies and professionals alone, we’re all sending and receiving emails, and we’re all using the Internet for social networking, researching, downloading songs and movies, and doing a hundred and one other things online. It’s easier to buy notebook computers and netbooks today, and with the cost-efficient options available, it’s easy to see why a laptop is a necessity more than a luxury these days.

Probably the best thing about computers today is that you don’t need to be super tech savvy to know how to use one; but on the downside, you’re in a bind if something goes wrong and you’re not the self-troubleshooting kind. And so you send out your notebook for repairs or maintenance when necessary, but do you remember to remove sensitive information from it?

Unfortunately, most of us tend to accumulate a large amount of information on our computers over a period of time. And if they’re systems that only we use, we tend to get careless about security, even for data that’s extremely sensitive and which could lead to undesirable consequences if it gets into the wrong hands. So before you send out your computer for repairs, ensure that you check these off your to-do list:

• Remove all sensitive information like files that contain passwords for your bank accounts, your PIN, CVV and other important numbers used for your cards, and other details relevant to your bank accounts which could be used to hack them or gain unlawful access to them. Even common information like your date of birth and your mother’s maiden name can be used to gain access to your bank information and used to perpetrate fraud and theft.
• Remove files that contain your social security details, your credit and debit card numbers, and any other details which could be used to perpetrate identity theft.
• Remove files that contain information relevant to your passwords for email accounts and social networks.
• Remove stored passwords on your browsers – you can do this by clearing your history from Settings. Many browsers allow you to see your stored passwords through a “Show Saved Passwords” option.
• Delete photos and other files that could be misused by unscrupulous people or move them to a portable disk or online storage facility.
• Delete any porn photos and videos you may have stored, explicitly or inadvertently. It’s your prerogative of course, but you don’t want the world to know that.
• Back up all important your data to a secure location so that you don’t have to worry about it getting deleted or lost inadvertently. Do this on a regular basis so you don’t lose any important information if your hard disk gets corrupted.
• When you use your computer on a regular basis, you must be aware of all the information you have and of the consequences that could arise when this gets into the wrong hands.

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Now that you already listed all the things that you should do before sending your computer for repair, the next questions would be is where you should take your computer to have it repaired.

Seek for referral.
​The very best chance you have of choosing a great local computer repair service is if you're referred to one. If several people had a fantastic experience with one particular repair service, the chance of you receiving similar service is likely very good. Personal referrals are great but it's unlikely that you would get enough by chance encounter to feel confident about the value of a particular service. I highly recommend searching online for a local computer repair service. Many have reviews on various services that should make your decision making easier.

Check the ads.
A flier is not a referral, a web advertisement is not a referral, and a full-page ad in the Sunday newspaper is not a referral. Over time, you learn to think of these advertisements as the knowledge you have about the value of the specific company but the fact remains that you only know what they've told you. A company can advertise all they want but the message will always be biased. The message might be completely honest and a particular computer repair services might very well be the best in town but you can't know that from an ad, big or small.

Always check your options.
It seems more than logical to anyone reading this, I'm sure, but don't get service anywhere that you've ever had a poor experience at. There are always other options. There is no reason to give your business to a computer repair service that proved them unworthy of it once already.

Learn to observe.
Few computer repair services rely completely on their service business. Almost all of them also have at least a small retail area at their place of business and of course, the national chain services are usually attached to large retail outlets. Visit their store, browse a bit, but pay close attention to other customers who are dropping off or picking up their PCs. Do they seem satisfied? Make sure you observe as many customers as you can. Try to be as scientific as you can about your little survey. Observe the computer repair technicians; do they seem knowledgeable, professional, and helpful?

Do not assume.
​Did you think that your only option for computer repair was the big retailer in the shopping center? Do you avoid national chain repair services simply because they're big? Do you assume that the repair shop next door is the right one? Don't rely on the assumptions you have about a particular company or type of company to make a decision. Do your own researches, ask around, and make some phone calls. The computer repair service with the best value deserves your business and the business of the people you know, no matter the size of the building or the size of the advertising budget.