So I might have to get a video card fixed or replaced in my PC with Windows 7. Thinking about taking it to Geek Squad and having them do it. Anybody have any experience with Geek Squad? Are their prices decent? I am not getting a major makeover here. Just a bad or faulty video card swapped out for a working brand new one.
If you like spending up to 50$ for something that you could just search for on youtube, sure, it's a great deal. If not... well, search in google, because it's 100% guaranteed you will find what you want in there.
I have taking my computer to them for the same reason numerous times under warranty. They claim to fix the issue but then it goes wrong again. I had an issue with my computer staying charge. I had to eventually go through Acer to have them send me a new charger.
You win lol! Called them today, they said not counting the cost of the new card, it would cost $200 for them to come to my complex and fix my PC. I said no thanks. Well, actually I didn't. I just hung up on the woman on the phone.
Yeah...they are depressingly overpriced, and in your case that's completely DIY-able. lol. I'd save the hundreds they're asking and just work around it .
A video card is almost as easy to pop in as RAM sticks. Just buy a video card and pop it in yourself. It just clicks into the same slot as the old video card, and you install the drivers using the disc that comes with it. There are videos on Youtube that walk you through it.
I saw a scandalous news story about the Geek Squad a while back. Apparently, when they were fixing people's computers, they were stealing some of the computers' contents for themselves. Somehow it was discovered that Geek Squad workers had copied porn and nude photos from customers' computers. Can you imagine finding out that the nude photos of your girlfriend that were emailed to you ended up on some Geek Squad guy's flash drive? People trust those guys and they were violating customers' privacy.
I don't think you should trust Geek Squad. I've heard multiple complaints of them, and myself being there, they don't seem very professional. I had ordered a laptop, and they took almost 6 hours to set up the antivirus, and programs. Don't go to them to fix your computer. Just take it to a local computer fixing shop.
I can usually take care of my own computer repairs but I did call them once in regards to replacing a power supply. This is one part that carries some pretty strong voltage so not one I cared to deal with myself. The Geek Squad was a lot more expensive than a local computer repair shop. I like to support local businesses when I can, so that is where I had the work done. Replacing a video card is one of the easier DIYs that you can do yourself and like others have said, the how to's are all over the web.
Problem is my comp is a Gateway e4100. I am not sure if it even has a standard video card. Looks like it might just have a chip installed into the motherboard that acts as a graphics card/
I took a computer to them that was still under warranty. They 'sent it off' to be fixed and they ended up having it for almost 5 weeks. Yeah, the fix might have been free (included in the warranty) but I was without a computer for over a month!
Ok here's an exact replica of how my e4100 short form desktop looks under the hood.... Log In I have no idea where the graphics card would be in this thing. I see ram cards, 256MB. 4 of them.
I see. However I'd still need to unload the on-board graphics controller installed within the mother board so as not to conflict with the new one. Someone told me. So I'd have to look into how to do that without blowing anything up. And also hope the new PCI card works like a dream. Thanks though. I was thinking I'd have to fully remove that big hunk of part where the heat sync fan sits. Because I've seen graphics cards that have the heat sync fan attached to them as well.
As other people have said, absolutely do not use Geek Squad. This is a fairly easy fix - if you can't do it yourself, it's the sort of thing you could probably advertise for a high-school student who knows about computers to do at your home for cheap. Changing a graphics card is usually pretty easy. Find the current card by seeing what the monitor wire connects to. Unscrew it and gently pull it up to remove. Insert the new one into the same slot. Screw it in. In most cases, that's all aside from installing the new drivers from the website. Most recent stuff is pretty much plug and play, doesn't need you mess about in the BIOS and doesn't have to worry about conflicts. On the off chance it does cause a problem? Just remove the new graphics card and put the old one back in to recover.
I wouldn't spend that kind of money for them to replace a video card. You probably could do this on your own. One thing you want to do tho is to make sure you have a grounding strap before touching the inside of your computer - very important that you do not skip that step! I used to troubleshoot high powered power supplies on the circuit board level and the first thing we learn about is the effects of static electricity on certain electronic components. The chips in your computer can get completely fried by static. But do make sure the computer is unplugged before grounding yourself and there will be no worries
What was your computer doing when you had this problem? I have an Acer that completely died shortly after the warranty expired. No power, no lights, absolutely nothing. I seriously was thinking it was a component in the power circuit, but wonder if the cord may be a problem? I tried a charger from my other laptop, but I think the voltage output is a little lower on one of the cords.
While it's not good practice, I've seen computer technicians skip this step repeatedly and been guilty of it myself. It's easier to ground yourself by touching something metal like the side panel, but people really should wear the strap. Saying that, I've never seen or heard of it causing problems not to, though I know it can.
Ok I looked at the PCI card in my Gateway e4100. Mine doesn't need screwing really. It just goes into the black slot, snaps into position, and the vga socket is exposed from the back and you can just plug in your monitor and go. It is pretty easy. Problem is, my windows installation is still slanting in my on-screen display like how an open car door would look? The further away you get from the front of the car, the more the door extends outward from left to right? That's how everything looks. I am using this PCI card that came installed in the unit. I took it out and am now using the on board intel graphics and having the same issue. I may have to buy a whole new video card off ebay. I can only think this is a video card problem. As I am having no shut downs, BSOD's, slow computer behavior or anything. My PC runs at 100% quality EXCEPT for this funky slanted display issue. Which I've already inspected and is not monitor, or driver related or caused.
