| Computers last only so long. Sooner or later you'll | | | | fact help you avoid software related problems in the |
| either have to do some computer repair on that old | | | | future.Sometimes, it isn't the one repair that is |
| computer of yours or simply decide to abandon it. In | | | | expensive but the need for multiple repairs over a |
| this article I'll give you tips to help you decide when you | | | | short period of time. I have an old Thinkpad 600X that |
| need to send your computer out to pasture.How much | | | | is over seven years old. At first, I reasoned that I only |
| will the computer repair cost you? What kind of repair | | | | needed a few repairs (which I was able to do myself). |
| you need to have performed on your computer and | | | | I replaced the battery, I added new memory and I |
| the relative cost of that repair can help you make the | | | | replaced my keyboard. All of this cost me about $200. |
| choice to walk away from fixing that computer. Most | | | | Now my hard drive has developed some problems |
| computer repair shops will offer you a free estimate | | | | and I'm looking at another $100 or so to replace it. Last |
| before they perform the repair. Smaller computer | | | | Thanksgiving, I would have been able to get purchase |
| shops are more likely to offer free estimates that | | | | a brand new laptop for as little as $400. This new |
| larger shops. If the computer shop you usually go to | | | | laptop had many features lacking in my old computer |
| won't give you a free estimate, consider finding one | | | | laptop like a DVD player, more memory, a larger LCD |
| that will.Most software repair problems will cost you | | | | screen and more. Sometimes, it makes more sense to |
| under $100 and won't usually be a reason to ditch your | | | | purchase a new computer than to keep repairing an |
| computer. Keep in mind that a newer computer in and | | | | old one.At the end of the day, only you can decide |
| of itself, won't stop you from getting a virus, or some | | | | whether that computer repair makes sense or |
| nasty spyware and such. You still need to have | | | | whether you need to look at buying a new computer. |
| anti-virus software installed and up to date. One | | | | Many different factors can come into play but |
| exception to this advice though is if your computer is | | | | ultimately, it's about getting things done with a computer |
| running an older operating system because it won't / | | | | whether your old one or a new one.Joe Duchesne is |
| can't run the latest patched operating system out | | | | the webmaster of offering computer repair related |
| there. In that case, buying a new computer would in | | | | information for the do it yourselfer. |