Online Computer Repair and Fix-it-Yourself Options - Comments Page 1

Reimage save my life a couple of time.

I've used Bleeping Computer several times for help. It's free, but you have to register. They're all volunteers and, as far as I've seen, know what they're doing.

You could also try some of the forums you find. They can be very good to help you with certain problems (again if you're not in a hurry).
I always recommend bleepingcomputer.com They are always very helpful.
All of these are run by volunteers who donate their time and effort (so please be patient and polite :-)

About two years ago I had some problems and clicked on Microsoft help. I ended up with their authorized service which turned out to be iYogi, located in India. They fixed the problem online after getting me to sign up for a one year contract. After the year was over they called and called and called and I didn't renew. I still worry that they deposited some software in my computer that allowed them online access. So far no bugs and it appears that the harassing phone calls have also stopped.

Bob, Thanks for a very informative article!
Definitely a "keeper".

STAY AWAY FROM MY_TECH_GURUS!!!! (mytechgurus.com)

These guys took me for a two week ride from hell! They LIST a 'US headquarters' phone number that is ALWAYS answered overseas, some of their 'national' head quarters seem to be located in an AREA (e.g. 'Times Square', etc.) rather than an address, AND they don't know their US corporate address. After I was told "We are not allowed to give out that information" several times, I was given several different US addresses in CT. None of which was I ever able to find with online maps. Three letters to three of those address' were returned as 'undeliverable'. I suspect they do not exist. *I* (and I'm not a lawyer) would call that 'fraud', but like I said that's my PERSONAL feeling.

Their cultural belief system does not allow them to ever stop. At the end of two weeks the original problem (search box is not visible after several searches in Google)had not been fixed, and they tried to say 'well we helped you' and I argued for a day (3+ hours) that no, they had 'fixed' problems THEY had created but had not fixed the problem that I was having originally.

In the end, after about 30+ hours(!!) over two weeks, I was able to negotiate their 'service fee', the amount that they charge no matter what, from $70us down to $20us.

I had taken Doctor Bob's Advice seriously, and had backed up my new comptuer right away, and just restored it. Dell wanted $200 to help me with this problem, these guys seemed cheaper. And all I can say is listen to your Doctor, **back up your comptuer**, AND you get what you pay for. STAY AWAY FROM MYTECHGURUS.

I have had good results with Reimage Repair.

Yes. I have helped people many times, often seniors by remote. Virus removal,troubleshooting slow computer, setting up devices and programs, plus instructions on how to do something are a sample of what can be done. Teamviewer is my program of choice. For those that haven't tried it, you would be surprised what can be done by remote. As Bob says, some caution is required, make sure you know the person doing the fixing. (¯`·._.·ns¢ävË·._.·´¯)®

Hi Bob,
I have been receiving a newsletter from "Cloudeight InfoAve" for many, many years. They now offer a service that fits this article. As a "Ma & Pa" kind of team, TC & EB are non-the-less top-notch. I would HIGHLY recommend you check-out their service @ http://thundercloud.net/direct/ Thanks for your time.
Gus

I want to highly recommend Belkin's Tech Support. They have a 24/7/365 toll-free number, and either remote (if you have internet access) or phone support. They offer a one-time ($39.95), 6-month ($74.95) or annual option ($119.95). Support is free (some up to 2 yrs) for their networking products but they will support almost anything looks like.

I was without internet access with absolutely no help from my ISP without paying more than the Belkin fee. The Belkin guys were able to get through to tech support for Century Link who finally discovered a "switch" that had been set wrong. Voilà I had a connection. I'm sure I never would have gotten it fixed without them.

I am not a big fan of MS, but their fixit service has helped me. http://support.microsoft.com/fixit/

Bob,

Remote computer repair is what I do for a living, and give everyone the best service possible.

I have been in computers for over 35 years, and read the best technical reports out there, including yours of course, which is one of the best!

www.remotepcfixers.com

Best Regards,

Tom

I think, two tools or resources were overlooked. I mean brains and google. Computer isn't a rocket science. Especially now, when this piece of technology is well-established standard thing. So anybody with GED is able to work and take care of computer. Mostly common sense and brains is enough to find out what's wrong and how to fix it. But nothing is new under Moon, so somebody definitely had similar problem and you can find the solution, using Google or other search engine, saving your time and money. They not necessary bring you to sites Bob mentioned, but could direct you to discussion forums, that could be way far from the computer things, but where those problems were discussed and solved. With basic knowledge of how computer and its modules work and common sense you can try to fix it yourself with pretty high probability of success. If you can fix a breakfast, you can fix computer as well, believe me.

But again - if you understand what exactly you are doing. If any technical device for you is a big black box that miraculously works - better ask a professional. We don't want a new Chernobyl.

Bob -- as I have mentioned over the years, every day for over 13 years, PC Tech is an open room in Paltalk and helps folks learn and repair computer issues as long as it does not require information of an illegal nature. We can only suggest that folks that need some assistance consider installing the free Paltalk program and coming to visit PC Tech which is one of a few different tech rooms but which is the oldest. Hopefully the info provided will be of value to the user.

Dear Bob,
At the risk of being laughed at, I would like to put in a plug for Best Buy's Geek Squad Tech Support. Their agents can connect remotely to your computer to fix any problem at any time. But, if you purchase their in-home service, a Geek Squad agent will also come to your house if the problem cannot be fixed remotely. I live 35 miles from the nearest large city, and there is no one close by who can do computer repair in the home. I personally don't feel comfortable dropping off my computer to be repaired if the problem cannot be fixed remotely where I can see what is going on. In four years of using the Geeks, a tech has had to come out to my house twice. I was able to watch what the tech did, and he stayed until I had used the computer and was satisfied that the problem had been fixed. And, like the other services that you mentioned in your article, I can call the Geeks anytime for help.
Thanks much for your informative article. I will keep it on hand if I ever get need more help.
Nezzar

I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here frequently. I’m quite certain I’ll learn plenty of new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!

It could be quite a cumbersome and time-consuming task taking your PC down to the local repair guy. Today, there are remote PC and laptop repair services and they could be a much better solutions as they provide online repair service for PCs and laptops.

Great write up. Just an FYI both support.com and 247 techies are outside the USA if (phillipines And India) if you are interested in a company that is USA based I recommend http://boxaid.com

This is a great topic. In addition. open internet properties, connections tab then click on lan settings. be sure that use proxy server is not checked. go to programs tab then check on the search provider but ask, trovi etc..then remove them. Use google or bing to be sure. Uninstall programs as well like storm alerts, mindspark toolbars and the like, ask etc. to be sure, just keep the programs you know you installed. If you have issues removing it, use the revo uninstaller portable. Install Adblock - very reliable to block pop ups.

If help is needed, visit www.computeronlinerepair.com

I have a problem with IBM PIII Model6059KZA mother board.
When the startup (Befor login to windows),It displayed "ERROR 193 System security hardware has been removed" with two options (Continue & Exit setup).When I select "Continue" system goes to BIOS and When I select "Exit setup" System goes to WINDOWS. How to resolve this....

EDITOR'S NOTE: This page has some suggestions: http://www.fixya.com/support/t1125513-cmos_error_0193