Need Computer Repair Advice

01/18/11 | Self

[Robe]

What would be a fair price to perform the following on HP laptop ???

[ThomasThomas]

It is not hard but some laptops have the power plug on the system board. The best repair is a new system board. You might be able to repair the connect to the system board but I would not want to warranty the repair.

[smokingfrog]

$137.54

[djf]

I have done it.

It is difficult.

You need to be very, very careful. Hot solder and a finely etched computer board... well, you know what I mean.

That’s assuming it is servicable at all, because there are a million ways to solder the connector to the board. You might not even be able to get to it.

[Lees Swrd]

Hard to say I do a lot of work like this but I do it as a hobby. I got my start 40+ yrs ago as a Ham Radio Operator of course I have worked tech in this also.
Iwould first ask what the laptop is worth if it is a $100 one it isnt worth this type of upgrade because what you are talking about doing would be in a range of 150 to 300 depends on you.

[My hearts in London - Everett]

I have a question that’s kind of related. Are non-working laptops (only several years old) worth anything in trade for partial payment to repair another laptop? My daughter has one that won’t boot and I have hated to advise her to just junk it.

[dangerdoc]

Twice as much as you told them when they dropped it off.

Works for most contractors.

[Caipirabob]

Consider the age of the CPU and software, then consider that at $200.00 you are approaching the low end price of a new laptop. If you exceed that, depending on your current machine you might consider buying new.

[johncatl]

Some things you can charge by the hour (I'd charge at least 65-85/hour with your experience).

Some things are better done on a "project" basis (flat fee or quote +/- 10-15%)

The project you outlined is really a $200+ job. I do it for friends or existing customers for $150. If you do it right, you also install av software, helpers (7zip, filezilla etc), Acrobat, Primo PDF, Open Office, flash and Java.

[astratt7]

$200 I worked at a computer repair shop for 2 yrs.

[wally_bert]

My advice typically on anything with any age on it unless it is something minor like a drive to change out.

Anyone on this thread an FTP guru? I have hit a real annoying glitch and don’t expect a lot of help with the people I FTP stuff to.

[Lees Swrd]

I wanted to point these two little babies out to you I swear by them.
http://trinityhome.org
http://www.clonezilla.org/

Best thing is they are free I have saved a few Windows boxes with them.

[sbMKE]

I’d add 20% to the cost of the bullet you use.

[Klutz Dohanger]

I charge $100 flat fee to do this if the customer
drops off the computer. $75 an hour for a
house call. The customer must have all original
Software and licenses. The standard deal is for
OS and office suite + necessary extras ...
(Flash, adobe, extra browsers etc). If they want
Other stuff loaded it’s $75/hr minimum 1 hour.

[NewHampshireDuo]

I have a Dell Latitude laptop. After about 6 mos the power adapter socket broke. It was on warranty. A service tech came to my house and replaced the motherboard. About a 1 hr job plus 2 hrs of his travel time. Glad I had the warranty.

It’ll happen again so most of the time I keep it in the docking station.

[ConservativeChris]

There are many variables.

How old is laptop? Where are you located? Is this a friend or is this a business thing? What is your time worth? Are you taking the laptop completely apart, or are you cleaning the outside? (if you actually take apart the laptop then thats a "whole nuther can o worms".)We can only assume that the client has GIVEN you all the required licenses.

I did exactly what you did before I moved, (about 5 years ago) everything you detailed would, honestly take about an hour of your time,(note: not how long it actually take)(the rest is the machine loading files, etc.) while you twiddle your thumbs.

I would call other techs/business and say you are getting prices for all the things you are doing to the laptop and find out what THEY charge.

Hope this helps.

[Robe]

Ok thanks for all your replies.. I just told the guy that that job would normally cost $200 and said I'd do it for $175 each since I'm just starting up.
BTW I running this little operation out of my Garage for now.
I've had consistent business for quite a few of my old faculty have me work on their personal laptops. It seems that since I left most teacher computers are all gummed up, and they (the contractor that cut out my job) can handle the volume..
Hehehehehe.....

[reagan_fanatic]

I used to charge about $100 for similar work.

[Robe]

Hey thank you a bunch .. we used the Symantec Ghost software at school , and I was going to invest in that software just because I was used to it ..you saved me some $$$

[Chode]

charge by the hour not the service...

[Lees Swrd]

Yep way way easier that Ghost I have used Trinity many times to reset passwords for some people who lost or bought computers they couldnt get into so I know it works. Good Luck with your new job or hobby money is there if you want it lol.