<p>My laptop needs some kind of work, repair or cleaning, I’m not sure. I don’t want to be without it for the 3 or 4 weeks it would take to send it back to the factory.</p>
<p>What are my local options? The tech guys at work say to avoid Best Buy (is that the same thing as Geek Squad?). How do I go about finding a good tech guy?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Check with your neighborhood- see if some enterprising HS or coillege student can help. My kids made a fortune doing this.</p>
<p>Post some symptoms and you’ll get better advice about what should be done and how to do it.</p>
<p>dadx, I left it vague because I’m not looking to diagnose it or fix it myself. My question is about finding a good mechanic.</p>
<p>Can you get a loaner or do you have a backup? Do you have anyone in your network that could do it? I do this stuff for free for friends and relatives.</p>
<p>I take ours to a local computer store - they are locally owned but have a couple different stores in our area. Word of mouth is best way to find someone. When we have taken our computer in for a virus, “spring cleaning” or whatever, turn around time has been quick - usually within 48 hours of bringing it in. </p>
<p>Ask friends for suggestions (ask at work or on Facebook or at church or whereever there are people you trust). Call a couple local places and ask a few questions. How do you charge? By the job or by the hour? What exactly do you do to “clean” the hard drive? What is your wait time right now? How long before I’ll likely have my computer back? Will you restore all the info currently on it? Do any backup? Ask questions that are important to you.</p>
<p>I have a local place I use too. I have only had to have a hard drive and a fan replaced over the years and they kept it for about 48 hrs. They also offer maintenance and virus removal and I would use them for that if I did not do that type of thing myself. </p>
<p>So I suggest getting a local referral.</p>
<p>Another vote for a local place. I can do basic to intermediate troubleshooting myself (virus/malware removal, clean the registry, driver updates, etc.), but if it’s more complicated than that, which has happened a couple of times, the local place has done very good work for a reasonable price.</p>
<p>Luckily, I’ve found a local “geek” who solves about anything–found by putting out SOS email to a number of my email contacts. But prior to that, did use Geek Squad (good, but expensive–remember to use your AAA card for a discount!). Have also noticed that our Staples now has a PC tune up section in store.</p>
<p>My husband has been doing this for a living (as a small business owner) since personal computers first came out. His bread & butter is small companies, their networks, building and repair, but he helps out the individuals that work there as a side.</p>
<p>He’s never advertised; all his referrals are word-of-mouth. So I’d agree, get a personal recommendation. In particular, ask your co-workers, or ask the IT folks where you work. When you ask three people, and they all tell you the same person, you’ll know you’ve got your guy.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! I only had to go as far as my own DH; it turns out his company has a computer repair guy.</p>