Laptop and desktop Repairs

Free diagnostic with fixed price repairs.  We are happy to assess any repair without obligation.

Computers are probably the most complex and advanced peice of equipment you are ever likely to buy and the range of issues we see is vast. Couple this with the ever increasing usage and mobility of computers  (Laptops and handhelds) they are also subject to the most wear and tear.  SPB has evolved from desktop system builders and cobol programmers to laptop and handheld repair specialists.  All repairs are done in-house using the latest diagnostic equipment and 15 years of solid experience. 

Below is a run down of some of the most common faults we see and repair in our workshops.

Hard Drive Failure:

Hard drives are where Windows and all your stuff live. It's a set of magnetically coated discs or platters that spin at anywhere between 4200 and 10,000 RPM. (About 150 miles an hour on average.)   

A series of "heads" (imagine a record player) fly less than a micro inch over the surface of the disc. For comparison a human hair is 4000 micro inches wide!  the head is held in place by the air cushion created from the spin of the disc. They create and read bumps in the surface using a magnet. These bumps represent the binary "one" no bump represents the binary "zero" Its Really simple and its one of the oldest designs of the computer still in use. Unfortunately the surface of the disc can get damaged, especially if it gets a knock when spinning. this can cause the head to scratch the surface of the disc and corrupt the data. You may have a hard drive failure if your computer suddenly slows down or fails to start up.  This is a very common repair. 

Virus Infection:

Computer Viruses are computer programs designed to disrupt your computer, fraudulently obtain money or gather private information to be sold on without your consent or used in fraudulent activity.  They tend to come in cycles and the most popular ones we see present themselves as fake antivirus software.  They pop up telling you there is a heavy infectation and require $80's or equivalent in order to remove the virus.  The messages are uninvited and persistent.  There are many other types of virus and spyware which all add up to slowing your computer down and creating errors.  We can repair virus infection without loss of data. 

Overheating

This is a major cause of laptop and desktop failure.  Your computer's microchips waste energy in the form of heat and require cooling down.  This is done through a series of copper heat sinks and fans.  Air in drawn in at one end and used to cool down the copper heat sink fins or pipes and warm air is expelled at the other end.  Problems occur, especially with laptops when the airflow gets blocked.  Dust and fluff get drawn in and build up on the entry and exit points turning your computer into an oven. This can cause your computer to corrupt data, slow down and, in worst case scenarios, damage or melt the solder joints connecting the electronics together.  A service every year can be money well spent and is certainly cheaper than a repair.  SPB Strip down the laptop, replace thermal compound, check, repair or replace the fans and clear any blockages.  

Broken Screens

Thin film transistor liquid crystal displays (to give them their official name) are quite delicate. Picking them up by the lid, closing the lid on your pen drive or dropping them off the edge of the sofa can all very easily result in a shattered display and a trip to the repair shop. Fortunately the repair is relatively straightforward and can be done within the hour.  We hold a huge stock of the most common panels and can get obscure ones next day for a speedy repair.

Touchpad and Buttons   

Touchpad buttons wear out with use and stop clicking.  SPB can replace and repair the micro-switches usually on the same day.   

Faulty Chargers and DC Sockets   

We can test your charger and socket at the counter free of charge and order you a replacement if required.  DC socket repairs require the laptop to be left as we have to strip them down to replace the socket.        

Workshop F.A.Q   

Q. How long does a repair take?     

We aim to diagnose the fault as soon as possible.  If this is not possible we will advise you. The Workshop is very busy. Once a diagnosis has been made we will give you an expected completion time.   

SPB has 15 repair “bays” allowing us to work on and test 15 PC’s and laptops at a time. We also have a dedicated solder station for board level repairs. B ays have been running at capacity for the past 2 years and usually there is a short wait for a bay. We require all repairs to go through a hardware test – because of some hard drive capacities these tests can last 24 hours or more.   

We have 95% of parts in stock to facilitate a quick turn around.       

We understand the importance of your PC to you and work as quickly as is practicable to get it back to you in working order.      

Q. How much will my repair cost?    

Labour costs are fixed and offered as a quote. Basically if you leave it with us we will assess it and give you a repair price and/or some options and pricing. If this is acceptable we will go ahead with the repair. If not you can simply take away the computer without any charge whatsoever.  If you want a detailed diagnostic report but no repair then there will be a £25 charge for an Engineers report.

Q. What happens if I still have problems after you repair my PC/Laptop?    

You need to tell us as soon as possible. Our work is of course guaranteed as well as any parts supplied and we will always work with you to resolve any issues you may have. Occasionally a problem you experience may not occur in our workshop. We understand that this can be very frustrating but we will do everything we can to resolve it as soon as possible. Reworked repairs are non-chargeable and prioritised.   

Q. Will you delete my photos and documents?

No, but this does not mean we are responsible for them. We understand that in most cases the value of a computer is in the data and we spend a lot of time ensuring it is preserved. However, you need to make backups! In some cases we will need to reload your operating system – this will take your computer back to when you first got it from the shop – we will save as much of your stuff as we can but we can’t save programs. You would need to reload these, e.g. printer, office software, games etc.  We are here to advise and help you.

  

Q. Can I ask for help after a repair? 

Yes you can, in fact if you need help we would prefer it if you did. If you don’t understand something just ask and we will be happy to help.

Q. What happens to replaced parts left over from the repair?

You will be offered them back.  If you don’t want them we will scrap them or recycle them.  If we have replaced your hard drive and you wish us to dispose of your old hard drive we will keep it for a week and then it will be physically destroyed.

Q. I didn’t get back my CD/Mouse/Cable etc after you repaired my PC.  

We record all items when they come in on the jobs service  sheet. Unfortunately, with a workshop as busy as ours occasionally a mistake may happen.  It is important to tell us as soon as possible in order for us to locate and return the missing item.  If you come back a year later we will have less chance of finding your part!

Q. What happens if Circumstances change and I no longer want to collect the repair I have authorised?

Let us know as soon as possible. We may offer to purchase it from you in order to cover the costs and you may have some money left over to collect. Uncollected repairs will be scrapped after 3 months and parts used to recover our costs.