Should You Fix, Upgrade Or Replace Your Computer?

If you know how to replace hardware in your computer, then you can purchase hardware on sale and install it in your computer yourself. If you need to hire someone to select and install hardware or software, you will need to pay for parts and labor. If you only need to upgrade an operating system or replace or install a hard drive, then you can save money by upgrading your computer. You must give as much information as possible for troubleshooting problems, and the computer technician should give you an idea of how much time and money this fix could be. Then you can decide if you want to fix or upgrade your computer or replace it.

If you choose to buy a new computer, you should consider custom-built computers that allow you to upgrade or alter it without voiding your warranty. Also, you can choose your tech support instead of dealing with the manufacturer's tech support which is usually unable to provide on-site services. Many problems may not be caused by your computer itself, but with the plugs, voltage, Internet Service Provider or phone line. This is why on-site support is recommended. Phone support is okay, but you may not be giving accurate information if you don't know what the tech is asking you. So, if you think that you are getting a deal on a brand-name computer and get stuck with their ISP and/or tech support, you will find out why you got the rebates and such a deal at the start. It's like buying a new car and having to go to the dealer for service while under warranty.

Each manufacturer has a warranty for products. If your hard drive no longer works and it is under warranty, you can send it in for replacement. You can buy another if you need one immediately and still get the replacement for a backup. Some computer owners pack up the entire computer system, or at least the tower, and haul it to an authorized reseller or technician or even worse, have to mail it somewhere for service. The laptop I had to purchase for/through school needed to be sent from Allentown, PA to Texas for a new motherboard! The school gave me a loaner for my last month of school and copied my files to the loaner drive. The warranty requires you to send the whole laptop including the hard drive, then the techs may reimage it and all of my programs and files would be erased. Of course, laptops are different from PCs.

If you wish to upgrade your processor, you must be aware of the capabilities of your current computer system. Will your motherboard support the new AMD or Intel processor? Will your power supply need to be upgraded? You must also know what RAM memory is supported by your motherboard to upgrade memory to run programs that require more memory. Before you change anything on your computer, please be sure to gather all manuals or check your computer to know what is installed and check online for the hardware and software specifications.

Go online and compare prices for specific items for uprgrades or replacements. Then compare prices for custom-built computers. What you can afford and what you need determine how much you need to spend. Of course, convenience and time may also be factors. Be sure to ask a computer tech how much it will cost before he/she starts work. And always backup your files or make a copy of your drive image. Decide for yourself or ask us whether to upgrade or replace your computer.

If you decide to replace your PC and the components are not needed or useful to your new PC, you can donate your computer to various non-profit organizations. Nonprofit Technology Resources (NTR) accepts the donation of used computers, SVGA monitors, small dot-matrix printers, ink-jet and laser printers, and other computer accessories.

Just as some auto dealerships will accept your empty oil containers for proper disposal, your local refuse and recycle place accepts damaged computer parts. More information is available by your local recyclers. Please do not throw items in the trash. Thank you for cooperating. Yes, I am one of those environmental, tree-hugging, save-the-earth recyclers who writes on the back of envelopes from junk mail instead of throwing it away. This concludes our public service announcement. ;)

Yvette Kuhns, Power Pages Web Design, July 15, 2003

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