Home › Forums › WSB Reader Recommendations › In search for a West Seattle laptop repair person!
- This topic is empty.
-
AuthorPosts
-
June 8, 2009 at 3:01 pm #591162
guitarboy53MemberHi, as you can see from my topic, I am looking for someone in West Seattle that can take a look at my MacBook. For some reason it will not boot up, and I am most worried about my photos on the hard drive. If anyone knows of a computer repair person that could either fix my computer or salvage the photos, it would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
June 8, 2009 at 4:12 pm #669202
cjboffoliParticipantguitarboy53: Sorry to hear about your MacBook problems. The important thing is not to panic. All of your data should be safe on the hard drive (barring a catastrophic failure) and should be recoverable. Could you please send me a PM with your contact info? I’d like to get a bit more info from you before I refer for repair. Either PM me through the WSB site or send an e-mail to; cjboffoli (at) gmail.com
June 8, 2009 at 4:26 pm #669203
KenParticipantI can fix laptops of all kinds. I even have a pile of macbook parts. CJB is right about not to panic. The drive and its data should be just fine as long as no one tries to fix it with a hammer.
My email is linked to my name above this post.
June 8, 2009 at 4:27 pm #669204
dmcMemberWe had a really great experience with PC Mobile. The guys in the office were very friendly. I think that their prices are comparable with other PC repair shops in the area. However, we have a Dell laptop so you may want to check with them. Info: 206.686.8682 or http://www.pcmobilehelp.com
June 8, 2009 at 5:00 pm #669205
cjboffoliParticipantDell and other PC laptops can be very different than Macs which tend to be smaller, with tighter tolerances and much different components and architecture. I wouldn’t automatically assume that a shop that fixes Windows PCs will have experience with Macs. A Mac-using neighbor of mine recently had a good experience with Brian at TouchTech Systems (4517 California) 206.932.8874.
June 8, 2009 at 9:28 pm #669206
tsunaminwMemberseattlelaptop.com
206-784-4215 ask for Geremy.
I highly recommend him, he is based in Wallingford but will come to you. He has been truly awesome, very fast and responsive. Tell him another customer on Alki referred you.
June 9, 2009 at 3:33 am #669207
tsunaminwMemberHe works on both macs and pcs and if you check his site you can see what he can handle. The guy is amazing.
June 9, 2009 at 6:16 am #669208
KenParticipantumm Computers are computers. Mac likes the branding myths and the guys at the Mac store encourage them.
But any laptop is a complex assembly of tiny screws, snap together plastic parts and odd connectors.
Recent macs have trended towards more off the shelf components (standard dvd drives, SOJ memory, sata drives) but the macbook bezels are still designed to make you think you’re going to throw it across the room with the pressure you have to use to release the plastic tabs.
At least I don’t need the torx t-9 screwdriver with a 17 in shaft to get the imacs open anymore.
June 9, 2009 at 2:07 pm #669209
cjboffoliParticipantKen: What I mean is that there is a big difference between a big, clunky Dell or HP with plenty of space inside and, say, a unibody Macbook Air. Sure, a Buick mechanic might understand the fundamentals of how to fix an Audi. But you’re probably better off taking your Audi to an Audi mechanic.
June 9, 2009 at 3:12 pm #669210
KenParticipanthttp://www.apple.com/macbookair/specs.html
Note all the same off the shelf hardware and standard intel compatible chipsets.
The lcd screen, processor, ram, sata and optional solid state drive will all work just fine if transferred to any other pc with the same size processor socket. The video chipset is used in dozens of other notebooks and desktops.
The macbook air is a fine light machine but it is not a unique and magical device. The 2.5 lbs Sony vaios are just as hard to work on but that’s mainly due to unavailability of parts.
By all means let the mac store fix them as long as they are in warranty, but most of us who work on computers use macs where macs are best, pc’s where pcs are best and install and use unix, linux and BSD on both. And we fix them all the same way. (We boot them to linux and look at the dmesg file :) and then replace parts using the same set of jewelers screwdrivers and tweezers we use on every small electronic device from laptops to cameras.
Steve Jobs did produce an utterly unique series of computers but it died because each connector and component inside and out was designed to be unique and only available from Apple at enormous expense. The OS was way ahead of it’s time and evolved into OSx, several linux window managers and even many of the features of modern browsers. The WWW and Doom were both developed on NeXT hardware and the Open step versions that finally set the os free from the irritating and bankrupting NeXT hardware.
June 9, 2009 at 3:29 pm #669211
cjboffoliParticipantKen: No one is challenging your familiarity with Mac laptops. I’ve just had a number of Seattle friends who have taken their Apple machines to local PC repair people and things quickly get lost in translation. I personally haven’t had any major Mac hardware issues in the time I’ve lived in Seattle. But if I did I’d personally feel much more comfortable taking my beloved Macs to someone who repairs them all day as opposed to someone for whom an Apple machine is a novelty.
June 9, 2009 at 4:47 pm #669212
KenParticipantThe business case for pc repair (and indeed all computer hardware) has reached the commodity stage. Shops can not afford to employ those with extensive experience. We are called “over qualified” :)
The cost of a replacement pc has reached the point where a 5 year old computer can be nearly as expensive to fix as buying a new one. PC repair has also reached the point where reloading the OS (just like the mac) fixes the most common problems. Everyone with a computer of any kind should have an external USB drive to regularly backup their documents, music, email database and other important files.
As annoying as Vista is, it does automatically place much of the important data under one easily backed up tree rather than the widespread haphazard methods used in previous versions of windows.
I am pumping up the ram in my newest intel box so I can dual boot win7 and osx.
Note ddr2 ram is approaching what has been their historic low price points as OEMs ramp up orders for ddr3 ram for machines that will ship with win7. Take advantage of the low point in prices. Soon the existing inventory will sell down and the price will rise.
June 9, 2009 at 5:01 pm #669213
cjboffoliParticipantI doubt guitarboy53’s problems are going to be solved by doing a clean install of the OS. He didn’t provide much detail in his first post. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s looking at a hard drive or logic board failure. Seems to be pretty common in Macbooks. Doesn’t help with the way they get bumped around. Not to mention all of the heat kicking around inside those thin cases.
You can’t over-emphasize the importance of doing regular backups. Apple’s Time Machine backup system is the most elegant backup solution I have ever used. The system makes one full backup the first time you run it and from then on it only backs-up the files that have been modified. (No sense wasting time and space duplicating the same files that are already backed up). When you need to go back and find something you just flip the desktop back through time like a Rolodex. Very easy. And I’m using their Airport Base Station with the 1TB backup drive built in. So the two Macs in my household automatically backup wirelessly on the hour. The ease of use beats every backup system I’ve ever used.
June 9, 2009 at 6:19 pm #669214
charlabobParticipantI strongly recommend Ken — he knows what he’s doing, has a “warehouse” (well carport) full of parts and, most important to me, explains what he finds. He doesn’t make it into some deep dark mystery that only he can understand. He’s also predictable — when I take stuff to a repair shop, it’s often like dropping it in a big black hole.
While I’m dispensing unsolicited advice, if you have or need a PC, wait for Windows 7 — if you have to buy something sooner and that something has Vista installed, pay a little more and have them reinstall XP.
If you have Vista already, and something that used to work doesn’t (like your printer), look at Vista’s new security model. For some reason, it chooses, by default, to protect you from your own networked printer. Damn, I feel safe!
June 9, 2009 at 6:26 pm #669215
charlabobParticipantThis just proves why your mileage may vary. I had a couple of horrible experiences with Seattle Laptop. (And yes I did complain — to the manager, the owner, and to Progressive Talk Radio, where I learned about them — as you might imagine, I’m not passively agressively quiet.)
The problems weren’t with the individual repair people — their shop just seemed indifferent to when and if they ever fixed my laptop. “Not done yet — maybe in a couple of days.” They would, however, be happy to sell me a replacement.
They also had a hard time thinking I might know anything about what the problem might be. “It’s broke,” was about the level of technical input they wanted.
They have wildly divergent reviews on Angie’s and other lists — People either love them or they hate them. I suspect it depends on who you see, what day it is, and, sadly, your gender. As I said, YMMV :-)
June 10, 2009 at 3:56 pm #669216
guitarboy53MemberHello All,
Thank you for all of your posts and suggestions. As you can imagine, I am pretty bummed at the possibility I won’t get my pictures back (or I have to pay upwards to 1k for my HD to go into a clean room for recovery). Since I didn’t have computer access these past few days, I took my Mac to the Apple store and they did confirm that the HD went bad. I have a warranty that will cover the HD, but it what is stored on the HD that saddens me. Unfortunately, I did not keep a back up of my photos and I have learned the hard way. What I plan to do at this point is have the HD on the Mac fixed, then sell it on to purchase a new PC. I loved the Mac since the day I brought it home. Unfortunately, since this computer went down, my wife prefers a PC for everyday computing. I will have the HD removed from the computer and maybe look to send it to a data recovery business in the future.
Thank you for all of you suggestions!
June 10, 2009 at 6:26 pm #669217
KenParticipantLast ditch recovery suggestion.
(Young techs may not be willing to try, or be aware of unorthodox repair methods)
If you have the crashed drive out of the puter, look up the model and rev number of the drive. Sometimes you can get one just like it (having the same firmware revision is critical) and swap the logic board. Some of the recent 2.5 in drives use what looks like some very tiny, very fragile reverse hex bolts and there is probably a threadlock compound on the threads, but drives from an apple OEM purchase should have been produced by the thousands.
This is a video of a presentation at defcon.
http://www.myharddrivedied.com/presentations-Defcon14.html
This could possibly be more information than anyone would ever want to know about hard drives, but it is some of the most accurate and succinct info I have ever found without writing it myself :)
June 10, 2009 at 8:32 pm #669218
clark5080ParticipantYou are not saying the most important point. Get a back up system in place
June 10, 2009 at 8:43 pm #669219
cjboffoliParticipantWow. Astonished to hear your wife “prefers” Windows for everyday computing. But instead of getting rid of your Mac why not just install Windows on a separate partition on that same hard drive. You can have both OS available on the same machine. Then you could switch back to Mac when you get tired of the viruses, spyware, and endless installing of ridiculous drivers. (This is assuming you have a recent Macbook model with an Intel processor).
June 10, 2009 at 9:13 pm #669220
KenParticipantThis may be no surprise to some of you :) But I am continually astounded by those who can get by with just one computer.
I have an entire raided racked network server for backups and archived music, movies, tv shows and books.
You don’t have to do it home brew like I did, there are lots of cheap devices out there now that can just plug in to your router or to a cheap switch that connects to your dsl or cable router.
Get the Mac fixed and buy the wife a PC.
New: $449.00 (on sale for 399 sometimes)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834114611
Used:
http://www.computers.interconnection.org/retail/index.htm
Usable P4’s start at $160.00
The sale goes to support their computer recycling effort and the training program that gives young people a computer after taking their free course and volunteering.
June 11, 2009 at 8:41 pm #669221
katydidMemberhey, ken, how do i get hold of you re possibility of fixing my pc?
June 11, 2009 at 9:11 pm #669222
KenParticipantMy email address is the link off my name above this message.
If I don’t hear from you (in case ya need your email fixed) I will PM you here tomorrow.
June 12, 2009 at 2:40 am #669223
katydidMemberGuess I may need my email fixed…or else you do…I mailed to your address twice and it wasn’t accepted by the carrier. Call me at 937.9184…thanks.
June 12, 2009 at 2:22 pm #669224
KenParticipantI got one of them late last night. I will reply after I check and see if my failover system is still working on the mailservers in the basement.
February 2, 2010 at 12:33 am #669225
addParticipantHi Ken – can you email me at add726 (at) gmail (dot) com? You helped me a while ago with an Outlook problem. Now apparently my pst file is corrupted and the Inbox Repair Tool isn’t working (the scan doesn’t complete). I did a little research and not sure if I can fix this with MS tools. Would love your help/advice but unfortunately with outlook not working I can’t click your name and have your email launched automatically!
Thanks…
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.