Dell ?!

[foodbiz]

I really want to start shopping from my local computer guys and help support some of these local computer techs.
Unfortunately I really tremendously on the Dell tech support to get me up and going when anything happens. On the other hand I see these local guys offering TOP of the line CPUs for less than half of Dell???

Does anyone have recommendations on what to do?? Or maybe to get a service agreement with one of the local techs??

Alan
food_consult@yahoo.com

[muno]

If you're computer illiteral, get a brand computer.
But if you know how to troubleshoot, even a little, get a clone.

Brand computers are usually pretty hard to upgrade, with things integrated, slots being non-standard and stuff being replaceable only with expensive brand products.

But if you know how to put a pci card in slot, and how to install an os, get a clone.
-M

[Bob The Great]

Dell has amazing tech support. If you want to go local though what you might do is hang around the shop a little during the peak time. Ask a few questions about the PC's and just browse. See how they treat you and other costumers. Its all in the demeaner.

Also ask what techsupport a pc from them comes with. A lot of times local joints charge as much as $75 an hour to work on your PC. Make sure you get this work for free if your going to purchase from them. Another thing to check out is what is inlcuded in repairs, and what you have to pay for. For instance is your PC covered for failed parts or do you ahve to pay for them? Get this stuff in writing to save some hassle (they probably have some sort of receipt with all this info).

[Agent_Embryo]

In my experience, the Dell support can be very annoying to work with. We use Dell Optiplex boxes at work and they seem to be cheaply built, we've had many bad mobos, RAM sticks, PSUs and more. The support has gotten better tho.

I say go for the local guys.

[iNeb]

You know, building your computer is almost always the best

[John Prophet]

unfortunately a lot of local guys are ripoff artists....local dude here in a guitar store...he's a good guy but he is in outer space with his prices...he had a guitar amp for $1100 that I could mail order for like $799??

Local comp stores are sometimes like that especially with labor.

So what you could try to do is shop around a little and maybe even get a service contract whereby you agree to a certain price per hr of labor.

Or if you have the time, perhaps you could advertise for some comp work needed and see if you can find someone, possibly unemployed, to do some work if you get in over your head....there are lots of unemployed techs etc floating around right now.

maybe there is a college in town that has some students who are hungry for some work...then again, you might not want to be a guinea pig for them, but you could ask a professor which kids know their stuff.

you say you rely on dell techs a lot...what kinds of problems do you have?

JP

[foodbiz]

Well, if the computers go Down, I need to fix it(with my limited knowledge)!!! Or call Dell for tech support... But I see alot of local computer guys who are starving for business and I want to help them out as well.

Most problems are with the computers hybernating and not recovering.

Well, I think I am going to find a local computer guy that offers tech support for free or at least cheap!

Alan

[John Prophet]

hehe, I would definitely disable hibernate and/or standby mode on the comps....lots of comps have problems coming out of hibernate.

Especially W98/ME comps. Just seems to be a problem area...my comp runs pretty good usually but it wont come out of standby lol..it will halfway lockup.

Good luck, JP

[foodbiz]

JP, I just disabled all the hybernates, hope that help untill I get the new systems

[Richard Cranium]

I see these local guys offering TOP of the line CPUs for less than half of Dell