The saga of our pc...

[Diflower]

What happened was, about a week before Christmas, the pc was on; we were both in the kitchen and there was a flash, like lightning but quicker. We didn't know where it came from - then a few minutes later, another flash. Still no idea what flashed.
The pc was still on, still working.
Switched it off as usual that night, but the next morning it wouldn't start up - the light came on, it whirred a bit, then the light went out again and it stopped. After trying a few times and scratching our heads there wasn't really anything we could do.

Without the internet to look up anything, we could think of 3 pc repair places, and yellow pages provided zilch. Checkatrade had nothing either. It was horrendous weather, hammering down, and the roads all round were flooded. We decided to start with the nearest, in town. Went in, spoke to the woman, who said 'he's just looking at a printer, bring it in and he'll look at it for you.'

Told us if it came to it, he'd almost definitely be able to save the data from the hard drive, and put it on a something-or-other, which we could then use to put the data onto a new computer, and that would cost £40. But obviously if it was repairable they would let us know how much it would be.
Two days later, we'd heard nothing so I phoned. She said she'd gt hold of 'him' and ring me back, which she did. She said it was the motherboard, 3 capacitators (?) had blown. To fix it - new motherboard - would be around £150, or we could have the data as above. Bb and I had a short discussion, figured £150 was a lot less than a new pc so phoned her back and said to repair it.

Since then, Bb had phoned, been into the shop, phoned again - and again. Each time got fobbed off, kept saying he wanted to speak to 'him' (still don't know his name!!) but never did. Last time, on Monday, he went in and told her he'd really ahd enough and would rather have the pc back to take it somewhere else.
She phoned 'him', said 'could you bring Mr Bb's pc back' - that was all - and a couple of minutes later 'him' came into the shop with it. He handed it to Bb and walked out - without saying a word - so Bb followed him out and took the pc back to the car...
How bizarre is that??!

He was then going to work, so when he got home with it, we had a look inside, the memory thingys from Suff were still there; we couldn't see anything that looked 'blown', but then would we know?
So. Tuesday morning we were going out anyway, so put it in the car. The 2nd place on our list was on the main road, next town, and had been there since before we moved here so at least had been going a while (as had the first one btw!). Except it had closed down...there was a notice in the window with the name and phone no, they're still in business doing home repairs and visits, so we wrote it down.

Next, as it was on our way, we went to Currys/PC World. Where we got the most ridiculous farce of what they could do, apparently involving us buying and sending with it a memory device to put the data onto, if they needed to. But if it was repairable that wouldn't be needed, but we still had to send it...and it would be sent to Nottingham and would take a fortnight

On the way, too late to turn in (off a busy roundabout), I'd spotted a sign that said 'PC repairs', and an arrow. So on the way home I said, do you think it's worth us having a look? We took the turning, and past the industrial estate and into a housing estate...then saw the sign, on a house. Quite a nice house, and it directed us to what had been garage doors.It did say the business had been running since 1996, which encouraged us a bit.
Anyway, this chap opened the door, introduced himself, told us a bit about what he and his wife do, and Bb got the pc out of the car. He said he'd probably get to it that day and would ring and let us know the verdict.

And he did ring, that evening - well, his wife did. He'd got it up and running but it needed a new PSU (power supply unit?) - and that was all. £30 for the PSU and £40 for labour, and he'd get it done the next day.
4.30 yesterday his nice wife rang again to say it was all done and Bb went to collect it. Inside now looks brand spanking new (he showed him), and the part is guaranteed for a year.

Trouble is, it's like cars isn't it - you go to the supposed experts and you're stuffed if they're not honest - or in the case of the first lot, have their own screws loose
Needless to say we're chuffed to bits that we haven't got to spend a lot of money that we can't really afford, and even better now have someone we trust that we can go to another time. He sells new and refurbished laptops and desk computers too, we'd certainly give him our business

[JoM]

What a total farce Di, and how strange about the first 'business' - such a stroke of good luck to find the one who repaired it though, glad it's finally sorted for you

[Kaz]

Oh what a lucky break, in the end, to find someone so competent and reliable! The first set up sounds a bit strange As to PC world - well we use them as we have PC insurance with them for anything Mick can't fix (which isn't a lot lol) but we've had it ever since I dropped my first laptop down the stairs and Mick had to buy me a new one.............

Brilliant to have you back properly I must say!!

[Workingman]

I see that the old "sharp intake of breath" has moved from garages to computer repair... the big difference is that it is not only women on the receiving end nowadays, it is all people over a certain age.

"Tssssk. The motherboard teat connector to the baby board is leaking data, and an alzeimer diode on one of the RAM modules has failed to function. I might be able to fix it with some spares I took from a dead model, but there's a risk that other things could begin to fail - you know, domino effect. Best thing would be a new motherboard and memory, orrrrr, hmmm, let's see..... How about this refurbished one, two thirds the price of the repair?"

I started out being a member of a computer club, and sometimes people would come asking for help or advice. There was always someone who could do a job, and I guess not much has changed. If I hadn't a clue they would be one of my first places to go. Other than that, I would trust word of mouth (WOM) over any other form of advertising.... Di, I guess you and B will be passing on the name of your new repair man to anyone who asks your advice. WOM works!

Glad you are sorted and are happy with the work/price.

[Diflower]

Absolutely WM, in fact Bb has already told one of our neighbours.
The first place still just confounds both of us, they've had no money from us, and they could have made quite a bit I've no idea whatsoever what their game was, apart from them having loose screws themselves

[Workingman]

Di, when a PSU goes, it goes. It is about as noticeable as a flat tyre or a cracked windscreen. Good ones have a diode pack/circuit board to protect the m'board when this happens.

My guess is that 'him' knew this and also knew that there was no money in it for 'him', so he was spinning a yarn. It's a five minute job to fix TBH.

He was probably glad you took it elsewhere so that he could get 'loadsa money' from the next customer.

Meanwhile, back at the garage, your new man is doing good work on the simple things, and telling it like it is.

[Diflower]

Di, when a PSU goes, it goes. It is about as noticeable as a flat tyre or a cracked windscreen. Good ones have a diode pack/circuit board to protect the m'board when this happens.
My guess is that 'him' knew this and also knew that there was no money in it for 'him', so he was spinning a yarn. It's a five minute job to fix TBH.
He was probably glad you took it elsewhere so that he could get 'loadsa money' from the next customer.
Meanwhile, back at the garage, your new man is doing good work on the simple things, and telling it like it is.

Only noticeable if you know what you're looking at We looked inside and saw...insides

There was money in it for him - he could have told us anything, if he'd said he'd fix it and it would be £99.99 we'd have paid; the yellow pages-listed, national 'PC Doctor' charges £99 per call-out, to diagnose/fix within an hour and with terms & conditions.
Where are we supposed to go???
As it happens, yes it all did us a big favour, we've now found, very accidentally, someone we trust, and who doesn't agree with people chucking out and buying new if what they've got is fine and fixable, so all good in the end

[cruiser2]

I had this PC built by a local computer shop. Have taken it back a few times to have minor problems fixed. Last time it cost me £20.00. You can talk to the person who is going to fix it and show him what is wrong. Usually only have to wait a day unless they have to order parts. There is a small car park so you don't have to carry the computer a long way.
They always seem busy as they give a good service at a reasonable price.
Would never use PC World for repairs. Have bought a printer from them as they have different models on display.

[Suff]

Hi Di,

I was going to get in touch and ask if the RAM I sent was still working. I took it out of my retired main machine (retired due to upgrade it was working fine if a bit hot), so I was sure it was in good condition and had not been abused.

It sounds like you got a lightning strike or even a fault/discharge from the substation. You were lucky it was only the power supply, I tend to use two surge protectors in daisy chain. I worked for a company in Dunfermline who supplied maintenance contracts on computers. On one site they eventually had to put in a mains monitor to check for surges (after the 4th machine failure). The monitor recorded spikes of up to 10,000 volts on the mains. A minor miracle the power supply was able to damp it out at all.

Nice to know there are some decent and honest guys around. Me, I'd starve if I ran a shop like that, I simply can't charge individuals the price that I charge large companies (they deserve it.... ), I couldn't live with myself.

For future reference, capacitors which have failed can be easily identified. They are pretty much all electrolytic nowadays and you can identify them as the coloured drums which stand up off the board. Their top is a small aluminium circle with a cross (normally), etched on it. When good they are absolutely flat, when they fail they bulge and have a domed appearance. I've had two instances of this kind of failure, one with a gigabit switch which I had my father replace the capacitors for me (lack of time), that switch has been working perfectly since. The second instance was with a motherboard, it blew five of them eventually leading to the power supply going bang (literally whoomph). I replace the 5 capacitors and the board worked perfectly for another 2 years before I retired it as a geriatric.....

Total cost of the capacitors for both jobs (9 in all)? £3.

Power supplies I simply replace with a reasonably priced and over specified (normally 600-700 watts), for the job. Your price for the part and replacement was very good. They're a gem, keep hold of them and refer them as everyone in that trade needs the help nowadays.

I'm glad the machine is back and functioning and it was not anything I did. I suggest that you get two cheap surge protector blocks (two because cheap one's do fail but in failing they are Very unlikely to have enough oomph to burn out the second one).

[Diflower]

Hi Suff,
I confess I did wonder about the RAM myself but no, it's fine
Apparently the surge protector we have is more than adequate for the job and this was just one of those things. I really don't want our living room looking any more like an office than it does already, there's nowhere to hide any more wires and things

The guy is indeed a gem and we're already telling other people about him