Justin Drake Carroll Gaming Systems

The Complete Guide to Choosing a Gaming PC Repair Company

About half of the 3 billion gamers worldwide use a gaming PC these days.

These incredibly high-powered computers might seem like they’re indestructible, but like any other tech, they experience issues. Whether you’ve physically damaged your gaming PC or there’s something internal going on, you’ll need a qualified gaming PC repair company to get it fixed.

In this post, we’re going to give you a complete guide to finding the right team of PC repair professionals. You can’t trust your precious gaming PC with just anyone. Keep reading and we’ll tell you what you need to look for in a repair company, letting you know what red flags to look out for and questions to ask along the way.

Start With Online Ratings and Reviews

The first thing you should do, when you start having gaming PC issues, is a Google search for computer repair companies in your area. Depending on where you live, there could be dozens in a fairly close range. You’ll need to separate the wheat from the chaff somehow.

One great way to do this is to start with online ratings and reviews. Nothing will tell you more about a PC repair company than the reviews of its former customers. Select a few of the highest-rated companies and go through their reviews, looking for any red flags about repairs or customer service.

You can also ask friends and family if they’ve got any referrals. Referrals are good because you have someone you know and trust vouch for the company, but Google and Yelp reviews work in much the same way.

Do They Have Gaming PC Repair Experience?

With the top-rated PC repair companies picked out, you can start doing a bit of research into each one. There’s a lot you need to think about when doing your due diligence on a company, but their experience should be at the top of the list.

Just because a company repairs PCs doesn’t mean that they know how to repair gaming PCs. Although the same types of components are involved, gaming PCs are specialized pieces of equipment that require specialized knowledge.

Don’t hire a repair shop if they haven’t worked extensively on gaming PCs in the past. An experienced gaming PC repair service will be able to quickly diagnose the problem and explain what needs to be done to save your machine.

Ask to See the Credentials

Any PC repair company, whether they work on gaming PCs or not, should have credentials. When it comes to training, PC technicians don’t necessarily need formal training – nothing replaces on-the-job experience.

What you really want to look for is liability insurance. If you take your gaming PC to a company and they somehow make the damage worse, you want to know that their insurance policy will cover those damages. A company that can’t show you proof of this isn’t one you should trust.

Look for On-Site Computer Support

As you start reaching out to different PC repair shops, one thing you can ask about is whether or not they have on-site support. A broken gaming PC may exhibit very specific symptoms that you might need to explain to the technician directly.

If there’s no technician on-site, then you’re forced to give these explanations to a customer service rep. At this point, you’re entering a game of telephone. At Fruit Fixed, we employ a huge number of talented technicians across our various locations, there are always knowledgeable people around for you to explain your PC issues to.

Do They Have Gaming PC Parts?

The other thing you may want to know is whether or not they have the right parts handy. Whatever’s wrong with your gaming PC, there’s a good chance you may need to replace a particular part. If they don’t have that part, or they don’t use the best parts in general, your machine is going to suffer in the long run.

We’ve always prioritized the quality of our parts at Fruit Fixed. By using the correct parts, we can ensure that you’re getting your gaming PC back in as good or better condition than we got it. You’ll never have to worry about a lagging PC as a result of low-quality replacement parts when you choose us.

What Are the Turnaround Times?

These days, gaming isn’t just about having fun and killing time, it’s a livelihood for some. When your gaming PC breaks down, you may need it back up and running as soon as possible.

As you’re contacting different repair companies, one of the most important questions is regarding turnaround times. How fast can they get your machine fixed and back in your hands?

It all depends on the size of the PC repair operation. Smaller companies may not have parts in stock or they could have a backlog of repairs.

You need a company that can handle what you’re throwing at it. Our turnaround times for computers are typically between 2-4 hours.

You Need Service Guarantees

A service guarantee ensures that you get your gaming PC repaired one way or another. If you take it into a company without service warranties, you may get it back only to find that the same issue persists. At this point, you’ll have to take it in again and pay again.

Service warranties are basically an assurance from your PC repair company that they’ll fix the issue. If it persists, you’ll be able to take it back in for service, free of charge. It’s an important customer service measure that shows a level of confidence in the service that they provide.

Do They Fit into Your Gaming PC Repair Budget?

Lastly, you should always be able to get a quote for the repairs before you settle on a company. The last thing you want is to have your gaming PC repaired only to realize that the repairs were way out of your budget.

Our low price guarantee ensures that you’re not going over budget for your PC repairs. We believe that quality service and low prices can go hand-in-hand, so if you find a cheaper repair service, we’ll beat their price by at least $5.

Choose the Best Gaming PC Repair Company in Richmond

Use these tips to find a gaming PC repair company you can trust. If you’re in Richmond, Fruit Fixed is that company. Since 2011, we’ve quickly established ourselves as the premier repair service for everything from phones to PCs and gaming consoles.

To discuss your damaged gaming PC with one of our helpful professionals, don’t hesitate to contact us ASAP. 

Justin Drake Carroll Laptops

8 Common Computer Maintenance Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

In 2021, the PC market grew by 14.8%, shipping the largest number of workstations, laptops, and desktops in a single year since 2012.

Since 2012, personal computer sales declined almost every year, but why? It could be because technology is lasting much longer than it used to. People don’t need to buy new computers and laptops as often as before.

To prolong the life of your laptop, you need to know the common computer maintenance mistakes and how to avoid them. Keep reading to find out more.

1. Keeping It Plugged In

One of the most common computer maintenance mistakes is keeping your device plugged into a power outlet while you aren’t using it.

If you are away from your computer for a long time, it’s best to shut off your device completely. Leaving your laptop plugged in when you’re not using it will reduce its lifespan.

Overcharging the battery prevents your laptop from lasting its full life. Try to allow the battery to drain down before recharging it each time.

2. Dropping Your Computer

Your computer hardware and software are more fragile than you might think. Although you never purposely drop your computer, it’s best to maintain it as best as you can. Be careful when you transport your device anywhere.

A lot of computer repair services see issues with laptops because of a previous dropping. Dropping can cause internal damage that you can’t always feel or see.

If you end up damaging your computer this way, you won’t be able to fix it on your own. You’ll need to work with professionals to hopefully repair your device. If it’s beyond repair, you’ll be emptying your wallet for a replacement.

Always be careful with your laptop to maintain it for longer.

3. Using It on Soft Surfaces

Part of your computer maintenance routine should be to check that the fan is not obstructed. Clean out debris and residue on your computer so that it can utilize proper airflow.

To prevent future problems with airflow and your laptop’s fan, avoid using your laptop on a soft surface. Using your laptop on a bed, for example, can cause it to overheat and lead to various problems in the future.

When a laptop sits on a soft surface, the airflow is minimized and your computer cannot efficiently cool itself down.

If you need to use your laptop for an extended period, place it on a hard, flat surface. If you don’t have a desk, consider purchasing a laptop stand.

4. Not Updating Your System

Whenever you have a computer software update, it’s best to get the latest system version as soon as possible. Operating systems, plug-ins, and browsers are frequently updated to help with security.

If you are running an outdated version of your operating system or software, you are putting your laptop at risk.

You can set your computer to automatically install updates. At the very least, make sure you are informed of updates.

5. Allowing Dust to Build Up

Dust can build up in your computer over time, especially if you have a laptop case. Dust can clog the fans, increase the interior temperature of your laptop, and reduce airflow.

Occasionally open your laptop’s case and clean out any dust buildup. You can use a can of compressed air to do this, but a simple wipe-down can help too if you don’t have the proper computer cleaning supplies.

If you need to open your laptop to clean the dust, it’s best to seek professional help. Laptops aren’t meant to be easy to open, and you don’t want to make things worse when trying to clean your computer.

6. Running Multiple Antivirus Programs

The saying, “the more the merrier” does not apply to antivirus programs. You should only be using one antivirus program on your laptop.

Antivirus programs hook into the operating system and check programs before running them.

If you have more than one antivirus program trying to do this at the same time, they will interfere with each other and may cause a computer crash. It’s not uncommon for two antivirus programs to identify each other as malware.

Make sure your laptop only has a single antivirus program installed and running in the background.

7. Installing Dangerous Programs

One of the more obvious computer maintenance mistakes is installing dangerous programs, but it still happens. Be vigilant when installing any program.

Don’t install anything without researching the program to judge its trustworthiness.

Not many computer users know that something as simple as downloading screensavers can cause viruses on your laptop. Know the types of files that are dangerous and be careful when running them.

8. Not Defragging the Hard Drive

Computer performance is much less efficient if you don’t defragment the hard drive. The disk is the weakest link in your laptop.

Defragging is the process of reorganizing data on your hard drive. This can speed up file access by breaking up a file into smaller bits on your computer.

Every laptop is different, but you can likely find defragment functions under the System and Security tabs. You should be defragging your hard drive once a month.

Computer Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid

Every laptop user needs to know the different computer maintenance mistakes and how to avoid them.

A computer is an investment that you need to take care of. Despite emerging technology, laptops are still fragile and can’t handle everything you want to throw at them.

If you’ve been making mistakes listed in this guide, you might need a laptop repair. Contact us today to learn about our different repair types and methods. 

Justin Drake Carroll Laptops

7 Benefits of Hiring a Professional Laptop Repair Service

In 2019, the average person spent about $700 on their new laptops. However, more expensive models can cost several thousand dollars. Laptops are an investment, so it is important that you do everything you can to prevent common laptop issues. 

If you do need to repair your laptop, finding a professional repair service can help you protect your investment and can save you money in the long run! Do you want to learn more about the benefits of hiring a professional laptop repair service? 

Keep reading this guide for everything you need to know about repairing broken laptops and why you should always hire a professional. 

Saves Money

One of the biggest benefits of working with a professional laptop repair company is that it can save you money. While it may seem counter-intuitive, paying for professional service will often be more cost-effective than attempting to make the repairs by yourself. 

This is because DIY computer repair can easily cause more damage to your system. If you don’t know the inner workings of your computer, you may damage the hardware and other internal systems of your laptop. 

Plus, you may install certain parts incorrectly. In the end, you may take your laptop to a computer repair technician anyway. Instead, it is best to pay for a professional service from the beginning!

Most companies offer very reasonable prices for their repair services. Learning more about a company and the services they offer will allow you to get the help you need while sticking to your laptop repair budget. 

Prevents Data Loss

When you attempt to fix your laptop on your own, you may find that you lose important data or files. This can happen if you damage the hard drive or if you have issues with viruses and malware. If you lose your data and don’t have backups of your computer, these files can be lost permanently. 

On the other hand, a professional repair company will keep your data safe during the repair process. For example, they can extract the data from your hard drive if there is a virus on your computer that could damage or destroy your files. 

They may even be able to salvage your data if you have already lost it due to a virus or malware. If you want to be sure that your files are safe during your computer repair, it is best to work with a professional laptop repair service. 

Takes Less Time

Another great benefit of using a laptop repair service is that it will save you time! If you don’t know much about computers, a repair can take you hours and even days. First, you have to troubleshoot the issue to identify the root cause of the problem. 

Once you have diagnosed the issue, you may spend hours trying to resolve it. Many of these attempts will likely be unsuccessful. 

If you don’t have this kind of time on your hands, a professional laptop repair service can help. Because they are so familiar with common laptop issues, they will be able to identify the problem much faster. 

Plus, they already have the tools and parts necessary to fix your computer and can save you hours of frustration when fixing your computer. 

More Experience

Professional companies also have more laptop repair experience. As a beginner with limited information about computers and the way they work, it can be difficult to diagnose the issues with your laptop. Plus, you may not have the knowledge necessary to solve technical problems with your laptop. 

An experienced technician has experience dealing with many common laptop issues. This experience will make it easy for them to solve any issues with your laptop, no matter how complicated it may seem. 

Offer Other Services

Many laptop repair services offer other services as well, like regular laptop maintenance! This way, you can keep your computer running smoothly for years to come. Plus, these additional services can help you identify potential problems with your laptop before they become serious issues, which can add years to the life span of your laptop. 

Prevents Additional Damage

As was mentioned before, it is easy to cause more damage to your laptop if you try to fix it yourself. What may start out as a problem with a simple fix can turn into a much larger issue that costs more to fix. 

Because your laptop repair service knows how to handle your delicate computer, they can repair your laptop without causing additional damage. This will provide you with peace of mind that they will be able to fix your laptop quickly and effectively!

Provides Additional Tips and Tricks

Finally, your laptop repair service can help you become a better laptop owner. After they have completed your laptop repairs, they can provide you with additional tips and tricks to keep your laptop running smoothly. 

For example, they can tell you what things to avoid to help you prevent similar types of damage to your laptop in the future. 

They can also give you tips for maintaining and updating your laptop to ensure that it works properly for years to come. 

Looking for a Laptop Repair Service? We Can Help

When you have a damaged laptop, trying to fix the issues on your own can result in more damage. Choosing a professional laptop repair service can provide you with each of these benefits and more!

If you need help repairing broken laptops, Fruit Fixed can help! We offer laptop repair services and can help you with any of your technology needs. 

Contact our team today to learn more about our laptop repair services with a lifetime warranty or to schedule an appointment for your repair!