Saturday, March 14, 2009
So much for the Geek Squad
I'm back on my little gem of a laptop, no thanks to the Geek Squad at that B B store.
My laptop had been acting a little funny for a couple of days prior to it going completely dark on me and my thinking was that it had something to do with the AC adaptor or the battery. Even when it was plugged in it was showing that it was on battery power. Then the other day it wouldn't even turn on. We quickly learned how easily we come to take things for granted! It was so frustrating! I had a busy work week and decided I could live without it until the weekend. NOT! So, before I went to work on Thursday I stopped by Best Buy with it and stood in line for what seemed hours to have them check out the AC adaptor and battery. The guy plugged it in to three different adaptors and the little light on the front still wouldn't light up. So he told me that it had to be the motherboard that was shot. He gave me the telephone number for HP and told me to call them and get a new one. I was disappointed, but resigned to the fact that this was not going to be a quick fix.
When I got back in my car I decided to call my brother and ask him what he thought of that diagnosis. He told me to take it to his friend who works at a computer store that also services computers and maybe he could sell me a motherboard cheaper than HP would. I had about 45 minutes before I had to be at work so I ran over there with my little sick laptop.
Ricky turned it over and took out every component: memory, CD drive, and other things that I don't even know the names for! He then put everything back in, plugged it in to a new HP adaptor and pushed the button to power it up. Eureka!!! Bells and whistles.....she powered up!
He said that Best Buy had probably used generic adaptors and that he'd used the HP adaptor that was specific to my computer. Total cost: $25.00. Ricky is my "Person of the Week"!!!
The lesson I learned is that the Geek Squad is not the last word in computer diagnostics.
(UH OH! I just tried to add a picture and it won't let me. I'm hoping that is a temporary blogger problem and not a computer problem.)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
14 comments:
I had to rely on that geek squad awhile back for my computer but it doesn't seem to be all ok yet. It works just has some issues now and then. I wish I had someone else to depend on. How great you had someone else and that it cost so little. Glad your computer is fixed. 'On Ya'-ma
They are over priced anyway I have a guy up the road that does everything for 2/3 less the price of the geek squad
$25 ? Sounds like the geeks didn't know what they were talking about, or maybe knew too well that they'd be cheating you.
I remember a place telling me they'd come to my house for $150 an hour. Don fixed my problem with a $4 piece in 20 minutes. ~Mary
Funny how we get on these computers and go crazy when something is wrong with it. Wow! Wish I lived close to your Ricky! lol Hope you have a blessed weekend. Janie
Glad you got your laptop working again. We have two laptops and a desktop for the two of us, so I think we are covered :o)
Yeah, I'm leery of some of those people. They talk a good game but sometimes I can just tell that it's all talk, you know? Ask a few pointed questions and it becomes apparent. Good for you for not accepting the diagnosis and pursuing it further. Glad you're up and running!
Hugs, Beth
glad ur able to get it fixed...wise choice!!! 2nd opinions always best...;)
Wow ... I need to find me a little compouter guy down the road too!!! So happy it was only $25! Yay!!!!
Lisa in Kentucky
Thanks for the heads up with the Geek Squad. i'll definitely have to fine my own computer guy. hugz~kbear
Lets hear it for Rick. Yeaaaa
Never, never use BB for computer repair. They charge 3 times more than a little computer shop. Plus, the motherboard, you would have been able to replace by yourself if you needed too. I'm glad it's fixed and running now.
I'm glad you're up and running without it costing you an arm and a leg. I know my 8 year old HP Windows ME desktop is going to lay down on me soon and I'm gonna cry when it does. I just wish I could find a good dirt cheap used XP before it happens. I can't afford a new computer and I sure would miss reading journals and what's going on in everyone's lives. I don't want my old computer to take those friendships away from me because I love so many of you.
Hugs
Debbie
You got off easy for $25. I don't trust those places. I have a computer repair guy I've been going to for years. He's not cheap, but I get my computer back in a matter of a day or two. Glad your up and running again hon! (Hugs)Indigo
Glad you got your laptop working again
Post a Comment