I live in New York City and my computer has just shit the bed.

September 23, 2008 11:47 AM

My computer has just shit the bed. I live in New York City. I have very little money. Can anyone recommend a cheap place where I can get it fixed?

The symptoms: Last night, the port where I plug in the ADSL modem was glowing bright green, even after I turned off the power. Today, I tried to turn it on and got nothing. I noticed that there might be some dust inside. The off/on button in the front does not seem to engage when I push it. When I plug the computer in, the power goes on. When I unplug it, the power goes off. But the power button doesn't do anything at all. The fan whirs when it has power and nothing, but nothing shows up on the screen.

It's a Dell computer, about one year old or so.

Can anyone recommend a cheap place in New York to get this fixed? I'm really not in the best of financial positions and I need this bugger up and running to help me look for work.

FWIW, I live in Western Queens and would be willing to take this to Manhattan, Queens or Northern Brooklyn.

Many thanks in advance.

posted by jason's_planet to computers & internet (9 comments total)

Sounds like your motherboard may be fried. Try blowing the dust out, also uou can try finding the jumper and resetting the CMOS, that may help.

If not, you can probably find a cheap motherboard for ~$50. If you have a Fry's around you, they have CPU mobo combos for the same price.
posted by wongcorgi at 11:54 AM on September 23, 2008

Call Dell.

Dell cases use not-standard-shaped motherboards, and while you can shoehorn a cheap replacement motherboard into the case, you may not be able to get all of the case buttons & lights to connect correctly.

If it's less than a year old, you may be covered under warranty as well.
posted by Oktober at 12:00 PM on September 23, 2008

Possibly helpful?

Manhattan Computer Repairing

Maybe this guy on Craigslist?
Computer Repair and Professional service
Desktop PC and Laptop diagnostic, repair and upgrade
CALL NOW: 347.861.1510
ONLY FOR 40$/h
1.SERVICE AT YOUR HOME
Free Consultation
posted by nickyskye at 12:07 PM on September 23, 2008

Gotta disagree with the TEKSERVE recommendation. While they may be able to help you, be prepared to wait FOREVER in some line based on an outdated ticket system. Also, they don't pay their techs much at all, so the quality of their repair works has been deteriorating for awhile now. There are three large Apple Stores in NYC now, each of which is staffed by decently-trained Mac Geniuses. If your Mac is under warranty, try the Apple Stores first.
posted by mrbarrett.com at 1:06 PM on September 23, 2008

Neither Tekserve nor Apple will work on a Dell, I don't think. Don't know, since I haven't been to Tekserve in a few years. I concur in not recommending them. They're as likely to break something else as fix your problem. Truly undeserved cult status.
posted by fourcheesemac at 2:14 PM on September 23, 2008

Shouldn't it still be under warranty?

If not...maybe a compassionate tech-savvy NY-based MeFite would be willing to check it out for a case of beer or something if you put it up under 'Jobs'?
posted by turgid dahlia at 3:07 PM on September 23, 2008

The standard question: have you installed any new hardware recently? I'm guessing not but just on the off-chance, if you have take it out and try to boot again.

When you say the power button doesn't do anything: do you mean that when you press it the fans don't whir and stuff? Normally when you plug in the computer nothing should happen, and once you press the power button it should rev up. If that's the case, have you checked your monitor cable?
posted by katrielalex at 4:09 PM on September 23, 2008

Spoke to Jason on the phone:

Because he doesn't have a computer to post this, I'm commenting on his behalf.

The warranty has expired

It's a PC not Apple

Does anyone know, have *personal* experience with any computer repair person in the NYC area/five boroughs? A specific person or place that anyone can recommend?
posted by nickyskye at 7:48 PM on September 23, 2008

The standard question: have you installed any new hardware recently?

Nope. None at all.

Normally when you plug in the computer nothing should happen, and once you press the power button it should rev up.

In my case, the power button doesn't rev anything up. The fan starts whirring when I plug in the computer.

Dell cases use not-standard-shaped motherboards,

Thanks for the warning.

If not...maybe a compassionate tech-savvy NY-based MeFite would be willing to check it out for a case of beer or something if you put it up under 'Jobs'?

Good idea. I might do that.
posted by jason's_planet at 8:47 AM on September 24, 2008