My computer requires professional attention, but there's stuff I'd rather keep private sitting on my hard drive right now. How concerned should I be about what a technician might see/go looking for while working on my machine? [more inside]
posted by EatTheWeak on Dec 1, 2009 - 22 answers

Spilled a drink on my Lenovo Thinkpad. Now it won't boot. Looks like I've damaged the motherboard. I've never done any computer repairs before. Will I be able to replace the motherboard myself? And if so, should I? [more inside]
posted by Kronoss on Nov 10, 2009 - 12 answers

What should I do with this pretty nice, but (fatally?) flawed desktop computer? [more inside]
posted by prior on Oct 28, 2009 - 18 answers

Computer froze completely during a game, all subsequent downloads of various installer files were corrupt. BSODs galore. Now, when I turn on my computer, no video input is detected whatsoever. Next step? [more inside]
posted by TimeTravelSpeed on Jul 13, 2009 - 19 answers

My girlfriend took her computer to get repaired they charged her $240 on the spot and said it would be an easy fix. They called her 2 days later and said after opening it up it would cost $200. She said it was too expensive. They charged her $130 for labor and left her with a computer in pieces...is this legal? Do we have a right to a full refund? [more inside]
posted by Mr. Ugh on Jul 1, 2009 - 25 answers

I am looking for a decent PC repair shop/freelancer in the Bay Area to (cheaply?!) take a look at my very broken computer. [more inside]
posted by prior on Jun 14, 2009 - 4 answers

Help! Computer not turning on after installing new RAM [more inside]
posted by vodkaboots on Dec 14, 2008 - 18 answers

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? [more inside]
posted by jason's_planet on Sep 23, 2008 - 9 answers

I did a bad thing. I leaned too hard on my Mac and actually created a depression in the top of my laptop. [more inside]
posted by clarkstonian on May 26, 2008 - 6 answers

A repair shop destroyed a non-working iBook. What would be a reasonable recompense? [more inside]
posted by anadem on Mar 2, 2008 - 16 answers

Whats a better way to say "Just pay me whatever you can afford for fixing your computer" than calling it a free will donation? [more inside]
posted by Jonsnews on Dec 7, 2007 - 19 answers

How can I apprentice as a computer repair technician? [more inside]
posted by Danila on Nov 11, 2007 - 11 answers

My girlfriend's PC is kicking the bucket - it's not pretty. The Active Desktop turns itself off, we can't reload any restore points, and, apparently, "the volume is dirty." What to do? [more inside]
posted by taliaferro on Mar 10, 2007 - 7 answers

My laptop screen is separating from the rest of the computer! It looks like one of the two hinges is hanging on for dear life, and I'm concerned -- if it gets much worse, it will be detached on that side. Is there anything I can do? [more inside]
posted by SuperNova on Jul 19, 2006 - 6 answers

Yesterday on the sidewalk in front of the office, my computer bag strap broke and the bag fell to the ground, denting the corner of my (loaner) Powerbook G4. [more inside]
posted by mr_crash_davis on Jun 27, 2006 - 9 answers

Where to get my Toshiba laptop (which I hate and don't recommend) repaired? [more inside]
posted by Lizzle on Jun 20, 2006 - 6 answers

I just seriously effed up my MacBook Pro's previously-gorgeous casing. What are my best options from here? [more inside]
posted by Embryo on Jun 3, 2006 - 12 answers

My laptop hinge is loose. What can I do? It's extremely annoying. [more inside]
posted by WyoWhy on Feb 20, 2006 - 16 answers

NYC computer repair: can anyone recommend a reliable place I can take my sickly laptop to get its power connector fixed? Bonus points for someplace in Manhattan. [more inside]
posted by CunningLinguist on Nov 15, 2005 - 15 answers

I have a Powerbook whose display doesn't work. Is it really the display or maybe just the cable, and could I fix that myself? [more inside]
posted by Zed_Lopez on Oct 7, 2005 - 6 answers

Is my broken monitor fixable? It displays everything very bright and washed out, and sometimes clicks itself off (with the image disappearing to a tiny dot in the middle) when displaying something white. [more inside]
posted by Nothing on Aug 5, 2005 - 3 answers

I recently fried my motherboard. At least I'm pretty sure I did. Burning smell and all. Anyway, now I need to replace it. I wanted to get advice and experience from people who have done this. [more inside]
posted by billybunny on Feb 17, 2005 - 6 answers

Can I give an older motherboard a second chance? The long story is inside. [more inside]
posted by dual_action on Aug 8, 2004 - 2 answers

LaptopRepairFilter: I need to remove the bezel on a Fujitsu Lifebook C-series (C-6530) to measure and replace the cold cathode lamps that have failed. I've Googled off and on for a few months now, looking for service or dis-assembly manuals, with no love to be found. (Much more inside) [more inside]
posted by loquacious on Jul 28, 2004 - 3 answers