Sorry, I have to add something to this. Take it to a reputable technician. Best Buy's Geek Squad, and other big box stores, are probably out to milk your wallet or are staffed by doofuses that probably think Alienware computers (especially in the early 2000s) are a good deal. If Beertent recommends Staples (I'd trust the guys here more than off the street.), check them out, but watch out that you're not screwed. And, remember, one big chain repair department might not be the same as others in the same franchise. Look up reviews for your local shops. Honestly, the mom and pop repair joints in my town are more trustworthy than the big boys.BeerTent said:
My friend brought his computer to Best Buy and another store about a graphics card issue. Both places charged him a good amount just to attempt diagnosis and failed. Then he brought it to me, and I found nearly a decade of lint trapped in the heat sink. (I can't remember if the card was junk and I lent him a spare or if we got it to work long enough for him to buy a new one.) Also, someone (I think the same guy), took their PC in the BB's Dork Platoon because the optical drive didn't work all the time. They said it was a driver issue and handed him a hefty bill, not fixing it, BTW. So it ended up in my lap, where I found the power connector was loose in the back.
Moral of the story: make sure you're not being screwed and you go into a repair center armed with some knowledge about your problem. (This same logic applies to auto repair and many other things.) The internet and Google can be powerful tools, for both DIY and where to get actual service. Raiku, you were smart to ask someone online first.
