Editing Seven points to ask a PC repair technician

If your personal computer is out of warranty and it breaks down on you, is your first inclination to pitch it and just purchase a new computer? Some individuals just pitch the pc right then and there, while other individuals use their own quick cure. Some don't want to have to overcome the strain and just end up throwing it out. Little do they realize that locating the right computer technician could lead to a simple, inexpensive fix and a computer thats like new again. These days, finding a top-notch computer repair person is rather easy. Any family's rolodex of numbers is loaded with plenty of capable computer repair specialists who are more than adequate to fix most computer issues that you may bump into. This might sound silly but it's very real. Still, what sets apart these experts from the ones you truly want operating on your computer are three important things: understanding, support, and documentation. If you identify the right questions to ask, you can effortlessly clear up the fly-by-night [http://youmob.com/mob.aspx?mob=http://www.contrive-it.net/useful-instructions-choosing-computer-technician/ it service] from the ones that really mean business. <h2>Qualifications and References</h2> There are many qualifications in existence that may look good on paper, but do not stack up in the real world. One of the main issues is that the official certifications are specific only to a given vendor. One leading issue with certifications in the PC repair sector is that most of the respected certifications are specific to their vendors. Like, Microsoft offers certification programs for its items, but that doesn't do much good for other operating systems. Products are also often updated, so these will get swiftly outdated. Oracle has certifications. Cisco, IBM, and Dell also come with their own certifications. <h2>Certificates</h2> There are also some services that will supply neutral certificates for many kinds of software. Certifications from organizations like CompTIA do give a good overview for what a tech can do. But in the end, these firms are in it to make money. They are seeking to earn new members and member fees, so there may just be a feeling that you are just investing for a certification that might or may not be up to the educational guidelines you'd find at a college or university. This doesn't mean that graduates from this system are not competent, just that their education may not be as substantial as someone with a four year IT degree. Though someone with a 4 year degree is often not running their own business, as lots of these employees are contracted to bigger companies. The bottom line here is that you should ask if the person has a college degree related to PCs. If they don't, or if they simply offer their certifications, just record the certification and move on to the following question You could still research the certification later. <h2>Experience and References</h2> The next question is how much knowledge the tech has and how good are they at what they do? The question could be presented along the lines of how long they've been repairing computers for a living, and additionally if they can provide customer references. Most decent techs will already have referrals prepared; customers and they have done a great job with and will get positive feedback from. The aim here is to just discover how long they've been repairing computers, and one or two client names. Don't limit yourself with just with the references. Give them a ring, and question as to what kind of repairs and technician is done, how long it generally takes them, and if the customer feels that the techs rates are reasonable. Even a glowing review may reveal details about how the tech runs his business. All of this information can help you to make a choice. Keep in mind that this may seem a bit of a a bother. You'll only have to ask these points once, when you first hire the technician. <h2>Technician's Strength</h2> As I said earlier, Microsoft provides their own collection of certifications. In the same manner Microsoft has its own certifications for its own items, so do the other leading players in the computer business. Apple has Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP) and another more technical division called Apple Certified Technical Coordinator (ACTC). These means the individual has basic support skills to help you out with a Mac. For Linux, CompTIA presents a wide spectrum of assorted certifications. In the case of Linux, technicians also can get certified from the Linux Professional Institute. Outside of operating systems, qualified professionals sometimes specialize in various computer brands, even if they are focused on Windows machines. For example, technician might be so specialized with Dell computers that simply from your description of the trouble, he or she can immediately tell you the reason. Various PC producers have quality problems through the years, and professionals with a lot of experience basically learn about those issues from having to correct so many common problems. You just have to ask if they specialize in certain computer brands. Find out if they are in cahoots with any certain brands. It pays to attempt to find a technician that specializes in your brand specifically, this can save you a major headache now and in the future. <h2>Ask for Costs and Demand High Cost Limitations</h2> Keep in mind that business is not always easy for a computer repair technician. It may be difficult to break the ice, because technicians are frequently taken advantage of. Their relatives may often expect computer service for free. Even people whom they are close to will frequently ask for free support. Many will pay a fee for repair, and then expect the technician to work for free for years after. So yes, PC techs can be offended if low balled. On the flip side, there are some dishonest PC repair folks that take advantage of the fact that many people know absolutely nothing about computers. This could include up charging the hourly rate, or saying that a simple job took longer than it actually did. People who don't have any computer knowledge are not able to see these hoaxes for what they are. Some will claim that a select range of hourly charges is fair. Others in the industry think that a flat fee is the only thing that represents a fair compromise between the two parties. Having done plenty PC repair jobs in the past, I can tell you this: There are generally only a few causes for failure: hardware, software, or a little of both. One to two hours is usually sufficient enough for a expert to narrow it down. Since most companies have a 1 hour minimum charge, simply ask the computer technician to only spend an hour troubleshooting before reporting back as to whether it'll take more time and money. The hourly rate could be anywhere from $20 to $50 or even $70 in some cases, but a lot depends on location and local need for the services. Regardless of cost, just ask the max diagnostic time, and if they don't answer, go to someone else. <h2>How Data Safeguard is Treated</h2> Now, backing up important data should be one of the first things any suitable technician will do prior to attempting repairs. This is just a means for the professional to restore your computer back to the state was in when you last used it. This should be one of the primary things that they try to do. This complete process often entails: <ul><li>1. Copying vital documents, like financial records or priceless family pictures, onto a USB drive or external hard drive.</li> <li>2. The following step is to make a restore point in the operating system. This is a provisional place to retrieve data.</li> <li>3. Backing up Internet history or other crucial folders than control your day-to-day business</li></ul> So, a great way to decide if the technician is worth anything is to simply ask them what their primary backup routine is. If they can't answer, just walk away. <h2> How are the modifications to the device being tracked?</h2> One other thing that separates pros from newbie's is documentation. The technicians who lack this quality or do not care about the changes that have been made is a major red flag. While the work may commonly lead to a repaired computer, there often a few dozen variations made in the control panel that you'll be totally unaware of when you have your computer back. It's your computer, and you've set things up in a way that makes good sense to you, and works for you; so if a tech decides to change things around, like elevated security settings, allowing or stopping Windows updates or the firewall, you truly want to know. Weird things may start happening later and you will be lost as to what the reason is. Therefore, the question you should ask is simple: how are the changes monitored? Do they provide a full record at the end of the repair that highlights all of the modifications made, hardware mounted or any other alterations to the system? The answer here should be an instant yes, and they may even show you a example report (or a format) that they've printed for past clients, so that you know what to expect at the end. This one point is often a defining characteristic alone of an excellent technician. If they're good at keeping documentation in an orderly and detailed manner of what they do, the odds are good that they know what they're doing. <h2>Follow-up Support and Assurances</h2> The last thing of notice is what kind of follow-up will your specialist provide. You can modestly expect that the technician will be available for phone calls, or even follow-up visits, is there any constant problems after the repair. Otherwise, the problem wasn't really fixed, it only went away briefly. So, ask the tech if they guarantee repairs for a particular number of days. Ask what range of follow-up service they give during that time, and is it okay to give them a call, or do you have to bring the pc back in the shop again? Is the technician willing to do in-home follow-up service instead? These are the kind of questions you need to ask before you have problems following a repair, not after. Once you get a satisfactory answer, make sure that any and all agreements mentioned be put down in writing preceding to the start of repairs. Remember, you paid a fair sum for your computer, and you are entitled to know what to expect when you entrust your hardware into another persons hands. Perhaps even more importantly, you need to be confident that the repairs won't cost more than simply buying a new computer. If you got the proper questions, a solid price quote, and all agreements in writing, you are able to leave your computer with the tech without any worries. Your PC will be repaired, the technician will get paid, and you can be safe that if the issue returns after a few days, you won't be left with the same problem but with a lesser wallet. Check with Our [http://www.contrive-it.net Main Page] for Additional Information

| Editing help (opens in new window)