Tag Archives: computer repair

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Where to Repair Cracked iPhone Screen in Los Angeles

Our cell phones are a huge part of our life, they make communicating so easy, seamless and fun. Smart phones as the name mentions are really smart and are a small computer in your hands. These gadgets which the human race lived without for thousands of years, ironically make life hard to live without.  When your cell phone breaks or has a cracked screen it is almost useless and with our close attachment to our phones, we want them fixed as soon as possible.

iPhones are the most expensive smartphones on the market and result in damages as other phones on the market. Luckily, you have options on where to repair your cracked iPhone screens. There are several ways you can go about repairing your iPhone which is the most expensive and difficult cell phone to repair, just like other apple products are.

Your first option, that is if you decided to purchase it from Apple Care. The Apple Care package is only $100 and comes with 2 extra years of warranty as well as accidental damage coverage. As good as these sounds, there is a fine print. First of all, this package deal can only be purchased after your phone has been inspected by Apple to ensure there was no previous damage and the phone has not be altered. Secondly, the service is limited to only two repairs per the phones lifespan. Also, Apple charges for this service, a $49 charge per accidental damage, so if you break your iPhone screen twice, you will have used up all the accidental repair service.

Another thing about the Apple plan is that all the phones are refurbished, so if your screen is broken they swap the refurbished phone for yours.

Second option is to have Apple repair your broken screen, or actually replace it, since I mentioned above that Apple replaces your broken phones with refurbished ones. This isn’t such a great deal since Apple prices are well, pricey, but you will have a quality refurbished phone in the end. When you go to Apple to replace your broken phone, prices will range from $180 at the least to $300 at the most in order of old phone being the iPhone 4 to new iPhone 5. These costs are quite expensive, considering its just for an a screen replacement, but that’s what happens when you buy luxury items.

The 3rd option is to use a third party like a cell phone or computer repair store. This is the best option for replacing your iPhone screen because it is the cheapest. Although repair cost for the iPhone 5 will still be pricey due to being new on the market, the replacement parts are still scarce. Heroes and Geeks Computer Repairs in Los Angeles offers affordable iphone screen repairs. Heroes and Geeks repairs Cracked/Broken Front Glass/LCD Screen Replacement at the following prices: iPhone 5 – $179.99, 4S – $99.99, iPhone 4 – $99.99 and the older iPhones respectively lower. Compared to Apple’s refurbished price, these prices are a whole lot of savings to you.

Keep in mind these few tips when searching for a iPhone repair store:

  • Find a local repair store, so you don’t have to wait for the mail to ship it and it supports local business.
  • Shop around for the best price, there is lots of competition.
  • If you want to save more money, ask the repair shop if they have 3rd party parts, which tend to be half off the authentic Apple parts.

Of course there is always the do it yourself option, but I really don’t recommend this unless you are a techie geek. iPhones, and other Apple computer replacements are the most difficult gadgets to repair. Just to replace the iphone screen of iPhone 5, it takes a trained professional over 1 hour. The phone has over 50 micro sized screws alone. This is probably why Apple replaces your broken phone with a refurbished one instead of repairing it in-house. The labor cost would be too high to repair it in-store and so they collect all the broken iPhones, and ship them to China for practically free labor and then they ship the repaired phones back to the stores and sell them refurbished-the house always wins.

Stay tech savvy, my friends

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Computer Systems Repair, Cleaning and Maintenance

Computer cleaning and maintenance is a key preventative measure to avoid computer repairs. Preventive cleaning and maintenance assists in avoiding overheating, lock-ups, accidental crashes and data loss and will save money and effort in the long run. Accumulated dust and grime can easily spread germs from one user to the next. The lint, dirt, carpet fibers, dust and smoke particles settles on the computer components and can cause damage if not regularly cleaned.

To avoid hardware failure, its important to keep the fans dust  free. When the fan is clogged up it won’t run properly and the purpose of cooling the computer down will be lost and can cause overheating problems. It is always recommended to at least clean your computers insides twice a year. Though, the cleaning also depends on the environment and accumulation of grime and dust and accordingly the cleaning should be performed frequently. Although, cleaning the internal part of the computer is doable by the average computer user, its not recommended and should be done by a computer repair professional who knows the ins and outs of a computer.  Its a high possibility they can cause harm and accidentally shift the drives, cords, and rams causing a computer problem.

For conducting a complete system clean up, it is mandatory to remove all the external electrical cords and cables and clean the power supply. In fact, before cleaning process you can also wear an anti static wrist strip to decrease and transfer static electricity from your body to computer. For removing dirt, food particles, dust and hair from keyboards and the fan exhaust, it is safe to use a small vacuum cleaner or a air pressure duster. These cleaners create static electricity that could be dangerous for the internal components of the computer so make sure not to get too close with them as it can affect in loosening cable connections.

Cloths that are used to clean eye glasses and lenses could be used to clean monitors and screens and make sure not to use papers and paper towels or any old rag to clean any of the delicate surfaces. Don’t apply any cleaning solutions directly in touch with computer components. You can also use artistic brushes to clean those areas where it is difficult to reach certain places. For external surfaces and for computer case, you can use any of the household cleaner to clean and wipe it.

Overheating is one of the biggest issues in most of the computer systems so make sure to take out the battery before cleaning a laptop or for a standalone computer, remove all the plug-ins and chords. The major causes of such problems are dirt or dead exhaust fans or even the environment itself. Make use of a cotton swab as well as an air duster to clean and remove unwanted particles from the vent cavities.

In addition, users should be serious and cautious about the cleaning and maintenance of their computer at regular intervals for achieving a productive computer. Preventive maintenance not only helps to make it look clean and new but helps it stay cool, and efficient. For external computer surfaces, using antibacterial wipes will help kill germs.  Regular cleaning of your computer parts and cell phones too, which are the most touched items but most neglected when it comes to cleaning,  will prevent bacteria spreading and avoid illness. Keep these maintenance tips in mind to avoid a computer problem in the future.

Stay tech savvy, my friends

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What are Common Computer Problems that can be Repaired at an Affordable Price

Not all computer problems are created equal. Some are quick and easy fixes while others are grueling and technical. When you come across a computer problem, it can be a frustrating experience. This is because most of the time there are no warning signs that your computer is failing on you. Also computer problems seem to happen at a time when you are in the most need of your computer.

The most common computer problems that people face and can be fixed easily by the user are:

  • Computer doesn’t power on: This could simply be due to a poor power source. If you’ve experienced your computer suddenly shutting down or not turning on, you could have had a power fail, just find a different power source.
  • OS or software stops responding: This can be due to a virus infection, so simply restart your computer and run a virus scan.
  • Computers freeze in action: When this happens, you have to hold the power button down until the computer turns off, than wait a few seconds and turn it back on. This is a warning sign that means you could be running out of RAM space or there could be a possible virus, which than you should clean up your computer as soon as it turns back on.
  • Input-Output devices not operating: When you start typing but the words are not registering on the computer screen, this can happen if your computer is not connected to your keyboard. You can unplug and replug the keyboard cord into your computer and restart the computer.

Below are common computer problems that a tech can repair at an affordable price:

  • Computers speed is a snails pace: This is due to not cleaning up the clutter your computer collects with regular use. Your computer has a limited amount of memory space, when it’s at its full capacity it has to process more to get past the clutter and follow the demand. A computer tech will use a computer cleanup software to remove unnecessary files and programs to create space.
  •  Hard Drive failures- issues with hard drives are usually related to mechanical problems such as SBS(shaken baby syndrome), when you are too aggressive with your computer while shifting it around, you could have possibly loosened it from its connecting port. Also an electrical surge could have shocked it causing it to fail. If the hard drive needs to be replaced than this can cause this service to be costly.
  • Malware attacks: When you have malicious software on your computer, it needs to be removed right away before it damages your important data, a tech can easily remove these viruses with a virus removal software.
  • Network Connection issues: This problem is common and the cause varies. It can be due routers not being connected to the power source, or the information on the modem not matching up with information on the computer, or even the firewall blocking connection.

Some of the above computer problems can be easily fixed by the user, while other common issues you will need to seek the guidance of a computer geek. Heroes and Geeks computer repair services in Los Angeles offers affordable pricing for these common computer problems.

To get the computer repaired faster, it helps if you inform the tech what exactly you were doing before the computer failed on you. This can help the tech diagnose the problem and result in a better way of fixing it.  Computer problems don’t have to be a frustrating experience, they’re just machines that can easily be fixed. If you pay attention to the common problems that occur, you can save yourself some time and money, next time it happens again.

Stay tech savvy, my friends

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The Need and Significance of Onsite Computer Repairs

We have busy lives and running errands is time consuming and boring. The last errand you want to do is run around town searching for a computer repair shop. Fortunately, there are mobile computer repair services available, well at least if you’re in a metropolitan city like Los Angeles you will have that option.

The need for on-site computer repairs is increasing due to the many benefits of the service. When you take your broken computer to a computer shop, you usually have to drop it off and wait a couple of days or even weeks before it is repaired. If you decide to call for an on-site repair the service is done the same day and your computer doesn’t leave your presence. This reason alone illustrates the demand and significance of on-site computer repairs.

There are many freelance computer techs that provide on-site computer repair services. You can read our previous post on how to find the best computer tech.  This line of work is an on-call job, therefor you can always find someone to provide you with computer repairs at any time of day. This is a great benefit because the service is available at your convenience, rather than having to go to a shop where the operating hours are limited.

On-site computer repair services provide significant benefits. Most computer problems can be fixed anywhere, if the tech is well equipped and brings all the necessary tools and software to fix the problem, the repairs can be done anywhere and anytime. If the customer knows the problem of the computer and describes the symptoms well to the tech, this will help the tech know what he will have to work with and it will save diagnostic time.

Another benefit to this service is time, its a faster repair than taking it to a shop, because the tech comes to your place to only work on your computer. Also its a much more personal service because the tech is working one on one with you in your environment rather than dropping off and picking up your computer at a shop.

The best part of this service is, the cost is affordable for the same quality of work done at a shop. Sometimes its cheaper to have a freelance tech do an on-site computer repair because computer repair shops have overhead expense of rent and employees which causes prices to be higher.

Computer problems will always exist, so its best to know what your options are for repairing it. The most easy and convenient way for you to repair your broken compute is to hire a tech that provides on-site computer repairs. This type of service is a personal service that can be done anywhere from the comfort of your home to your work office.

Stay tech savvy, my friends

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How 24/7 Onsite Computer Repair Services can help to speed up your computer and improve performance at any time?

Working with a slow computer feels like going back in time of dial up, basically it sucks and you can’t be productive. Computers need regular maintenance to run optimally. If you want a long lifespan for your computer take time to take care of it. There are several reasons why your computer might perform poorly or run slowly, it can be both hardware and software related. Fortunately, there are computer repair services available for both laptops and desktops to cleanup and have it running fast like its brand new again, but also there are troubleshooting techniques you can do yourself to maintain your computer.

What causes computers to slow down:

  • The exhaust fan is clogged up of dust and not cooling properly causing the motherboard to overheat and slowing down the processor
  •  A hard drive at its full capacity can slow down computer
  •  Spyware/Adware and viruses
  • Having an outdated browser such as Internet Explorer
  • Too small a Ram
  • Software that is bulky, lots of baggage

What are some troubleshooting techniques to speed up computers:

If you have a computer that overheats, it can be due to a fan that’s clogged with dust or a fan that’s worn out and needs replacing. You can clean off the dust on your desktop computer and for laptops you will need to take it apart and use an air pressure duster to clean it. Also, you can place a small fan next to your computers exhaust fan to assist it. For laptops it’s also important to not place it on surfaces such as a bed, where the fan cannot get air flowing, proper ventilation will help the fan work less and the computer stay cool, preventing the motherboard and processor to overheat.

If you have a hard drive that’s at its limit, it will slow down performance. You can either upgrade to a bigger hard drive, remove programs that are not used often, and also put music and photos on a different storage such as a cloud service or another hard drive or usb storage. Defragmenting your hard drive will also greatly improve speed, it puts all information regarding each file in one space rather than spread out everywhere. This is a tricky process and requires the service of a tech.

Annoying viruses, spyware and adware will slow your computer performance and risk your privacy, best thing to do is scan for these nuances and install protection. Update your security protection regularly to stay protected from daily threats.

Certain web browsers can make your browsing experience a snails pace. All computers come with Internet Explorer which is not on the same playing field as speedy Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

If your wireless network is the cause of the slow speed, than you might need to call your service provider and ask for an upgrade. You can use speedtest.net to find out the speed of your internet connection.

If you open up and use a lot of programs all at once on your computer, than it is important to increase your RAM size for proper speed. If your RAM size is too small and filled up, the processor will have to read the data and program information from the hard disk which performs slower than a RAM.

Using faster leaner software can increase speed. The commercial softwares such as Adobe Reader, Photoshop which is a resource hog, Microsoft office, Outlook, and windows media Player are bulky sized software the way they were written. There are softwares out there that are free and smaller in size so they take up less memory space. Sumatra will read PDF files, GIMP is comparable to photoshop, replace microsoft office with Libreoffice, Thunderbird for Outlook, and LVG player for windows media player

Next time your computer slows down, use these troubleshooting techniques to have your computer perform well. If you don’t have the time or the techniques are not making any changes, than you can call Heroes and Geeks, they provide 24/7 onsite computer repair service in all of Los Angeles county. The service is available for all computer problems and computer upgrades. If you want your old computer running like new call Heroes and Geeks, and you won’t have to replace your computer to have it running like a new one.

Stay tech savvy, my friends.


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Where to Repair HP, Dell, Acer, Sony & Toshiba Laptops in Los Angeles?

Laptops are useful tools in our lives, they are light and portable. We use them for work and school as well as entertainment. When shopping for a laptop it’s important to shop for something that has the specs that will benefit you for the purpose you will use the laptop for.

Laptopmag did a survey on which laptop brand is the best and worst for 2013, the laptop brands that they surveyed were the following: Acer, Apple, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba. They used seven categories to critic the general quality of the laptops. The categories were the  ease and navigation of the  touchpad/ keyboard, design and style of laptop, how innovative the laptops are, the ratings of tech support service, quality of the  display and audio, options of utilities and software and value and selection.

The results show Apple ranked number 1 for the past four years in a row and probably should not be in the competition due to the fact that it’s like comparing apples and oranges-pun intended. Lenovo laptops ranked second for the third year in a row and scored high in innovation and customer service. Asus jumped up in ranking from last year’s 5th place to this years 3rd place with top marks in innovation .HP landed in fourth place and Samsung in 5th place. The poor ranking laptop brands were Acer, Dell, Sony and Toshiba In last place. Toshiba scored very badly in innovative category and design category as well as having poor tech support service which made it the worst laptop brand for 2013. Use the findings of this survey as a guide of what qualities to look for in a laptop.

When shopping for a laptop, keep in mind what you will use it for and what features you prefer, that way you can find the right laptop for your purpose. Things to consider are:

  • How portable do you want  your laptop , do you want to take it everywhere you go, if so you should consider  laptops that transform into tablets.
  • If you plan on using your laptop for watching TV shows and streaming movies online, then a large display would be a feature you search for.
  • If you are a gamer, than you should look for a computer with a good quality video card.
  • Do you use photoshop on a regular basis, if so then you want your laptop to have lots of RAM.
  • If you like being wireless, a strong battery life is an important feature

All laptop brands no matter if they are the best or not will break down with regular use and human errors. Laptop repairs can be easy and painless if you shop around. There are many places to chose from to repair your laptops, you have national repair services such as Best Buy, who have techs that don’t know much just follow a manual and then you have small independent repair services that have years of experience like Heroes and Geeks Computer repair in Los Angeles. Both repair shops will get the job done, but the giant company will rob you for repairs and Heroes and Geeks charges fairly with quality service. The best way to avoid repairs is not buying the most expensive laptop but to take good care of it.

Stay tech savvy, my friends.

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Which Computer Hardware should you Upgrade for Best Performance?

If you are seeking a computer upgrade, its best to know what you tend to use your computer for.  Getting the right upgrade is crucial for having the best outcome of the upgrade.  If you install lots of programs and software to your computer that involves lots of memory, then it would be best to upgrade your RAM. If you are a gamer, then it would be wise to upgrade your video card to improve performance. Below are different options of the best possible upgrades for different computer tasks.  If you know your way around a computer, then you can easily upgrade your new computer part on your own, otherwise its best to seek the service at computer repair shops.

Processors: upgrading a processor is best for people that encode videos and audio, the fast processor will help with multitasking. This upgrade is actually difficult and too technical to do on your own and should be done by an expert computer tech.

RAM: Modern computers are equipped with a good amount of RAM about 4GB, this upgrade isn’t such a necessity for the average computer user. This upgrade is the cheapest and easiest but is not as useful of an upgrade unless your computer only came equipped with 512MB. If you are an avid Photoshop or video editor then large ram upgrade is very much beneficial to you.

Video Cards: This upgrade is geared towards the video game addicts, the non gamer doesn’t need to worry about this upgrade because the modern PC are capable of performing well with the video cards they come with. A brand new video card will take the gaming experience to another level and is the best upgrade choice for the best gaming performance.

Hard Drives/Solid State Drives: If you’re looking to speed up your boot time and launch applications faster than it is helpful to upgrade to a solid state drive. If your hard drive is full and limited to space, than it is beneficial to upgrade it to a bigger capacity, this can help your speed if you’re used to running out of space.  The average home user would probably benefit most with this upgrade.

These are the main upgrades that can benefit your computing experience. Not all upgrades are necessary for your needs since most computers come well equipped.  If you need assistance on choosing the best upgrade for your personal needs, or need the service to install the new device, Heroes and Geeks provides 24/7 onsite computer repair services as well as hardware upgrades in Los Angeles county.

Stay tech savvy, my friends.

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What is Data Recovery and how to avoid it?

Data recovery is a very technical skill that involves retrieving lost data from hard drives that have been damaged either from hardware or software related problem.

Data recovery is still a prominent service even though technology has made it possible to prevent data loss. There are many ways you can protect your digital information from forever being lost, but people don’t take the time. You can copy your important data on external hard drives or to online cloud storage service. Backing up your data is the best way to give you peace of mind in case something unfortunate happens to your computer’s hard drive.

Several factors that can lead to data loss include both hardware and software issues such as:

  • Power surges that shocks motherboards and unsafely powers down the computer.
  • Exhaust fans that are covered in dust and don’t properly cool down the motherboard or     processor, causing them to overheat and malfunction.
  • Software issues such as virus and malware over writing on your data.
  • Human mistakes such as accidentally deleting files.
  • File system format-not properly storing information.
  • Logical damage of a file system.
  • Loss of information about partition.

Almost all lost information on a hard drive can luckily be safely recovered if you notice the problem right away and bring it into a computer repair shop where they provide data recovery service. The only time your lost data cannot be retrieved is if you download or install a software or program onto your hard drive and your hard drive doesn’t have enough room to store the new information so it writes over the old information that was temporarily lost.

Heroes and Geeks computer repair services in Los Angeles has this guideline below to avoid data Loss. Prevention is your best bet on keeping your important information safe and stored properly.

  • There are many useful tools to backup your important data. In a previous article-”What’s the best method to backup your computer data” we mentioned how to backup your data. It’s easy to copy your data to various devices and online services and a great method to prevent data loss or recovery services.
  • Virus attacks are so common these days that it is likely there will be a virus created to completely damage the content of your hard drive. We recommend you to update your antivirus software regularly to fight off the latest virus that is spreading throughout the web.
  • Protect your computer from simple mistakes by keeping your computer away from pets, children, and liquids so simple errors won’t occur. Create passwords for programs and files that are important so they will be more safe and not easily erased.
  • Avoid being aggressive with your computer- Computers are fragile and the components and parts of a computer are precisely put in certain places to run as it should. When a computer is being shuffled around and aggressively handled, this can lead to shifting the components causing damage and even data loss.
  • Reduce the temperature of your computers processing unit by using a simple cooling fan placed near the hard disk to prevent it from overheating and crashing.
  • Be sure to properly shut down your computer. All data should be saved and programs closed before shutting down the operating system.

There are services and softwares available to recover lost data, but it can be costly and avoidable. It’s best to take the above preventive measures and avoid the hassle of data recovery.

Stay tech savvy, my friends.

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What is the Best Method to Backup Your Computer Data?

Technology is always changing and making life easier for us, at the same time it makes us lazier. Backing up your computer data has never been easier, but majority of people don’t take the time to do it. We put our entire lives on our computers, everything from our photos, to work documents, and entertainment, we should want to put effort in creating extra copies of these things.

Computers are unpredictable, one minute they are working well, the next they have a virus and corrupts your hard drive. Especially if you have PC computers such as Dell, Acer, HP, any computer that aren’t MACs which are more prone to malware and viruses. One minute your computer is nice and dry, the next your coffee spills all over it. These unpredictable situations can happen any moment that is why backing up your files is something worth taking your time.

Most Computer Repair centers in Los Angeles offer data backup services; if you know you won’t get around to doing it, it’s a good idea to get the service. Number one rule when backing up data, your copy of your data should physically be separated from your computer. The options are either on an external second hard drive or in the cloud- online service.

External hard drive can cost from $50 to $100 and are easy enough for the home user to do themselves. All you do is connect the external drive using a USB cord to your computer and follow the prompts to start copying your files, documents, etc. to the new drive.

The best method for backing up data for the average computer user is Mozy Home, it’s a cloud backup system for only five dollars a month. You sign up and the rest is done for you. The plan will backup all the data that is stored on one computer and you won’t have to remember to update because it automatically does it for you.  There are a slew of other cloud based data backups, and some are even free if you have only one or two gigabytes of data to backup.

If you don’t have the time to backup your files or need guidance on which method to use, Heroes and Geeks offers onsite data backup and data recovery services in the comfort of your home or office. Protect and save your important data before it’s too late and you lose it. A $50 investment to prevent losing your important documents is a lot cheaper than going to a computer repair store to recover your data, where prices start in the hundreds.

Stay tech savvy, my friends.

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How to Find Affordable Computer Repair Services in Los Angeles?

Computer repairs are thought to be an expensive service, but that is not the case. It all depends on the type of damage and how much the parts cost to replace, and which company you choose to deal with. There are cheap repair shops like mom and pop and then you have your pricey national stores like Best Buy. They both fix your computer problem, but the cost is very different, most of the time you’re paying for is labor cost. The truth is if you shop around and ask for a quote from different repair shops you will get varying costs, from costly to inexpensive. Fixing your PC by a skilled technician can be less expensive if you shop around.

There are a few ways to find affordable computer repair services. First, is by online research, and second, you can ask around and seek referrals.

If your budget is tight, the best thing to do is ask your friends, family, and coworkers if they know of a computer tech. Someone will know someone who knows someone that knows how to repair computers. This is a small world we live in and it is high possibility for you to have 6 degrees of separation to a computer tech. This in turn can result in a discount for the services you seek. You can also ask your peers if they know of cheap computer repairs, this way you can compare prices and ensure you are charged fairly.

When searching for computer repairs, first search in your locality, if you are searching in google, you would search, “computer repair in Los Angeles”. If you want the repair to be convenient, you should search for a service shop near your home or business. The next thing to consider is search for a computer repair that has many different services available. Since most of the time you won’t know what the computer problem is, you want a repair shop that is knowledgeable in many aspects of repairs from hardware to software problems, this way you can also bundle up different repairs which can then result in an affordable package deal.

When searching online, you can also view social networking sites for different computer repair shops and compare prices and reviews from previous customers. The smaller the computer company business is, usually the cost is more affordable. The big computer business such ad Best Buy and Staples usually have higher pricing, due to the fact they have higher labor costs and overhead. So if you want to save some money go with the small shops.

Some Computer Repair services offer monthly maintenance plans that can be necessary if you have a business to run and you are constantly using your PC. These monthly maintenance plans include remote and onsite computer repair, which is beneficial for busy businesses. The average home user usually won’t need a maintenance plan unless there are lots of PCs in the household. Monthly maintenance plans is more beneficial for businesses both small and large.

If you want to find an affordable computer repair in Los Angeles call around for pricing. Ask your friends and family for a referral, someone is bound to know a computer tech and this will save you some money and your computer problems will be less miserable.

Stay tech savvy, my friends.