Best Buy Repairing/Diagnosing Computer Problem

[slickdtc]

Hey all,

I've had a desktop PC since 2006 (gift from one of my brother's). It worked perfectly for 2 years, then crapped out on me. I loaned it to my brother, who fixed it up and had it working for a good year and a half. I got it back last summer, but it died a week after again.

I would ask the same brother to fix it up, but he's not around anymore (long story). So now I'm left with a pretty decent rig that seems to need just one piece to have up and working again. I believe it's a fried motherboard, but I'm not sure. I had another, less tech-savvy brother look at it and that's what he said.

But I'd like to get a more solid and professional opinion. I've been told, I believe here on OS, that Best Buy can do a free diagnostic on it. I'm a bit hesitant because I went to a computer place around here called Second Source. I walked in and said I'd like to trade it in for store credit or cash to put towards a laptop/Netbook. The guy just asked what year it is (2006), and is it XP, Vista, etc. It's XP. He said it would only get 20-30$ cash or credit without even looking at it. I had a bad feeling so I just said thanks for the help and left without ever even taking the computer into the store. He seemed dismissive.

Now my plan has changed. I'd like to figure out what's wrong with it, and if it's salvageable (which I believe it will be), just get the new part for it and have it as a home desktop PC. I'll just have to wait a little while for a laptop/Netbook setup, which I plan to use for school. I want something more mobile so I can take it back and forth to school and whatnot, but I'd love to also have a desktop computer too, if it's not too expensive to fix it back up.

So, anyone ever deal with Best Buy and their free diagnostics? Good or bad impressions?

The motherboard that's currently in the desktop is a Gigabyte K8 Triton nForce4. I'm not too tech-savvy, but I'm looking at the box now and that's what it says. Heh. Looks like it could run me around $50 for a new one, then I'd need help installing it as well. If that's even the problem.

Any help would be appreciated. I figured this is the best place for tech information.

[Pared]

Re: Best Buy Repairing/Diagnosing Computer Problem

Does your motherboard have a little green LED on it? Some typically do.

Does it light up when plugging it in?

[Burns11]

Re: Best Buy Repairing/Diagnosing Computer Problem

What does it do when you try turning it on, does it beep at you, fans turn on, nothing at all?

[slickdtc]

Re: Best Buy Repairing/Diagnosing Computer Problem

Does your motherboard have a little green LED on it? Some typically do.

Does it light up when plugging it in?

No lights.

What does it do when you try turning it on, does it beep at you, fans turn on, nothing at all?

I turn it on, it goes vrooooom (it's done that since day 1), fans do turn on. When I turn on my monitor, there's a green light to represent it being on, then it flashes "No Signal", and goes to yellow. Nothing appears on the screen otherwise to show it booting up.

Oh yeah, the disc drive works, if that makes a difference. It popped right out when I hit the button.

[Pared]

Re: Best Buy Repairing/Diagnosing Computer Problem

Do you have integrated graphics or a separate card?

[slickdtc]

Re: Best Buy Repairing/Diagnosing Computer Problem

I believe it's integrated, but I'm not sure.

Clearly, I just need to take it in. I don't know enough to provide sufficient information for help over the internet.

My question stands though: anyone ever had to take their rig in to Best Buy and have them test it out and see what's going on? I've never dealt with something like this. Do they just set it up and see what's working and what's not? The whole Second Source deal (the computer store I went to yesterday) has me wondering how it's going to play out.

[nemesis04]

Re: Best Buy Repairing/Diagnosing Computer Problem

I believe it's integrated, but I'm not sure.

Clearly, I just need to take it in. I don't know enough to provide sufficient information for help over the internet.

My question stands though: anyone ever had to take their rig in to Best Buy and have them test it out and see what's going on? I've never dealt with something like this. Do they just set it up and see what's working and what's not? The whole Second Source deal (the computer store I went to yesterday) has me wondering how it's going to play out.

I took a computer to them once. I had a virus on a pc I could not get rid of. Generally you leave it and they diagnose it and call you with your options. They do the work there. Overall it worked out fine but I did not have any major hardware work done with the machine.

[TheShizNo1]

Re: Best Buy Repairing/Diagnosing Computer Problem

I take a desktop there once because my colors weren't showing up. How you say the bluish gray on OS, I was just seeing white. They told me it was a virus they could take care. Kept it for about 5 days. Charged me around $200-$300, and didn't fix a damn thing. It completely died about 6 months later.

[Pared]

Re: Best Buy Repairing/Diagnosing Computer Problem

I believe it's integrated, but I'm not sure.

Clearly, I just need to take it in. I don't know enough to provide sufficient information for help over the internet.

My question stands though: anyone ever had to take their rig in to Best Buy and have them test it out and see what's going on? I've never dealt with something like this. Do they just set it up and see what's working and what's not? The whole Second Source deal (the computer store I went to yesterday) has me wondering how it's going to play out.

If you're getting power but no display it could be the integrated video on the board. Replacing the MB would solve it and you'd be able to keep all your data (as long as it is replaced with the same exact model).

I'd stay away from Best Buy because of the teen goofs they hire there. Entry level individuals who MAY know what they are doing. At the same time, most small home grown stores will typically rip you off since their customers are typically "uneducated" on everything.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck. If something sounds fishy, don't be afraid to ask questions here.

[slickdtc]

Re: Best Buy Repairing/Diagnosing Computer Problem

Thanks for all the replies and all the help.

@ Pared: Yeah, that's what I was thinking about the goofs they hire on the Geek Squad. I'd like a more mature, more experienced person to look at it. It was an older guy at Second Source, but he just seemed interested in what I had on it, not actually fixing it. When their store and website says that's what they specialize in. I was majorly disappointed in the vibe I got there but maybe I shouldn't give up on them. I didn't physically bring it in, had it in the car. But I was planning on having it traded in, not fixed. So maybe that was my mistake. And I want to be honest about my computer knowledge, but I don't want them to pull a fast one on me either. It's a tough balance.

I'm going to talk to my Dad, figure out where to take it, have them look at it, then report back here with what they say. I'm just torn because it could be something relatively simple, or it could be shot, so I'm in this grey area.

[slickdtc]

Re: Best Buy Repairing/Diagnosing Computer Problem

One last thing: I had my neighbor build it for me when I first got it via mail from my brother (he was overseas and sent it as a birthday present). I know for a fact he had built computers before, so I felt comfortable with him. The problem is, that's 5 years ago. He's off at college in Minnesota now. I'll have to Facebook him and figure out if he can help and/or when he's coming back around.

I should've had this taken care of immediately instead of waiting basically 2 years, considering how fast technology becomes obsolete. What I figured were pretty nice pieces of technology to put into this thing are now 5 years old and probably not as nice anymore. Blaaah, you live and you learn. I'll keep this updated with developments.