So you need help with your computer but you don’t know how to fix it.  And you start thinking to yourself:

1. What’s wrong with it?
2. Is it under warranty?
3. Where do I go?
4. How much is this going to cost me?
5. How long will it take to fix?

Let’s start by going through the thought process and figuring out the best possible option you have to get your computer up and running again.

What’s wrong with it?  What’s the problem?
Did you spill something on your keyboard or computer?  Did it just stop working? Will it turn on again?

Identifying the problem and writing down exactly what happened makes diagnosis much easier and quicker which in turn cuts down on labor time and actual time away from your computer.  Be as specific as you can and be honest.  The last thing a technician wants to hear is “Well, I clicked this box somewhere over here and then it went away and then this funky thing happened to the mouse before it died.”  What we (and I use the term we liberally to not just professional technicians)  prefer is “I clicked on this box that said ________ and the window closed.  Then the mouse cursor turned into the hourglass and wouldn’t move if I moved the mouse.  After that, the screen went black and the computer shut down and won’t start back up.”  We aren’t mind readers and in severe cases, we can only rely on what you tell us.  If your computer is running “too slow,” please explain whether it is too slow starting up, or taking a longer than normal time starting programs.

Remember, the more you help us, the better we can help you.  And be patient with us, we are here to help you.

Is it under warranty?
If it is, you are only part way there… Let’s say you did something stupid like I did this past weekend and dropped your super expensive MacBook Pro, which first hit your leg, left a huge bruise (click for pic) for a week and dented the awesome hardwood floor at your parents’ house.  It didn’t seem like there was major physical damage but upon further inspection…

But I have the extended AppleCare warranty.  I’m all good!

WRONG!

AppleCare doesn’t cover any accidental damage.  You really need to read the fine print to see what is and isn’t covered.  So my now bump on the MBP will be there for a very long time…

But that doesn’t mean you aren’t covered.  Dell has an awesome accidental damage/hardware warranty which means if there is a crack on the screen because you sat on your laptop, you’re covered!  To emphasize the point, this is only for hardware…

Generally, software issues aren’t covered by any warranty and you need to check with each software’s manufacturer for support.  There are of course many forums and discussion boards out there that have support as well… you just need to find the right one.

When all else fails, you need to bring it in to someone…

Where do I go?  Who do I consult?
That all depends on who you know.  Just like everything else in this world… it is who you know.

Realistically, you should always consult a techie friend first.  Most of my friends come to me first before consulting a more professional technician.  And the best part about friends?  They are usually free!  Or at least they should be… they are your friends…  Explain your problems and hopefully they will be able to fix it if it is minor.  If it is a minor hardware issue, they might have you buy some parts so that he/she can fix it for you.  If it is a software issue, be patient as this might take a while.  Software answers aren’t always intuitive.

If for some reason your friend can’t fix your computing problems, it is time to bring it in.  The first place to contact would be the manufacturer of your computer.  If it is a Mac, bring it to the Genius Bar at an Apple store.  If it is a Dell, IBM or any other PC maker, call their customer support or the place where you purchased your PC for more information.  If it is under warranty, a couple of things can happen.

Are you brave enough to try and fix it yourself?  Search online and spend an hour researching.  The answer might be easier than you thought and could save you a lot of time and hassle, not to mention money.  Otherwise…

If you have a Mac, and it is under warranty, you will need to schedule an appointment with a Genius to discuss your problem and options on how your problem can be resolved.  If you need to bring in your Mac, you will need to leave it there for usually a week, if not more.

If you have a PC, and it is under warranty, the manufacturer might send a technician out to your house.  Or, they may need you to ship your laptop/PC back to their warehouse to be fixed.  Or, you might need to bring your laptop/PC back to the store from where you bought it from.

Lastly, if you have a Mac or a PC that is not under warranty, you can still follow the steps above, but will need to pay (prices will vary).  Alternatively, you could find a local PC/Mac repair person through a search engine of your choice or YellowPages, Yelp or Labortopia (if you are in Boston… for now).  Support the small business and build relationships.  The final, OMG I’m desperate to get this fixed, option is to bring your Mac/PC to a pay for service like BestBuy’s Geek Squad.

How much is this going to cost me?
If your friends aren’t free, find out why!  Prices do vary from technician to technician and is usually on a per hour charge.  Some even charge a fee just to look at it before fixing it.  If you aren’t in Boston, call around and ask.  If you are in Boston, Labortopia.com has a listing of technicians and rates.

How long will it take to fix?
Depends on how severe your problem is.  Could take 10 minutes, could take days if parts need to be ordered.  The best plan is to always keep an external hard drive and back up your important documents, pictures and music weekly or monthly.  That way, if you are subject to hard drive failure or repair issues, you still have all your files.

If there is anything that I have left out, please feel free to ask me via email, Twitter, FaceBook or my free tech help site TechNewsMadeSimple.