DIY Computer Repair: Don’t Do It
DIY Computer repair - don't do it!
The Do-it-Yourself is a very common attitude in New Zealand. But, it can be problematic when you try to fix your own computers or phones. This article shares five risks and why it’s safer to go to a computer repair shop.

Most people like to take a shot at fixing things themselves. With some things that works out great, but when it comes to do-it-yourself computer repair, it’s probably not worth the effort. This article shares some of the things to consider before trying to do that repair solo.

#1 Computers are complicated

Computer developers put a lot of work into making it easy for you to use your computer. A good user experience is part of the appeal for one brand over another. But that doesn’t mean that what’s going on inside the actual device is simple to fix.

There are a lot of complicated connections “underneath the hood” of your laptop or desktop, and prying the device open to see if you can do a DIY repair could prove disastrous. It’s going to be safer to turn to a trained repair tech instead.

#2 You could make things worse

You’ve probably done this around the house when trying to be “handy.” That leaky faucet becomes a full-blown broken fixture thanks to your efforts.

You might think that you can watch a YouTube video and do an amateur fix but know that just hitting the wrong key combination could create a different problem. Digging into the backend of your programs could change something for the worse.

Tip: If you do try to fix something solo, don’t erase your history. It could be important for the tech expert to retrace your steps to figure out where you went wrong.

#3 You risk being scammed

Bad guys are always finding ways to exploit people, and there are scams out there that appear to be repair assist programs. You may be looking for a fix but instead, you click on a link that installs malware on your device. Now, you’ve got another problem to deal with!

Most of those programs claim they can clean up your PC, update drivers, scan it for viruses, and so on. The way they make money is by doing a basic check for free, finding "problems" (that probably don't exist) and then suggesting you pay for the fix. If you don't, you'll get constant popups and reminders to do that.

#4 You could lose your valuable data

We store a lot of our lives on our computers or smartphones these days. If you attempt to fix your device without first backing up your files, media, and other data, you could lose it all.

We've seen many people trying to fix their computers by restoring to factory settings or reinstalling Windows. Needless to say, this removes all your data and programs!

#5 It may not be worth it

It’s not that difficult to find a reasonably priced computer today. You may end up paying for expensive repairs for an old computer when you could have bought a new one. Take your computer to a fix-it shop. You’ll get expert input into whether your device is worth the time, effort, and money to repair before you go too far down that road.

Choosing the right repair service

With age comes the wisdom to ask for help when we need it. Regrettably, not all repair services are as reliable. When looking for computer fix-it help, read reviews, and check credentials and service guarantees.

Don’t hesitate to contact us for your computer repair needs. You have your skills, we have ours. Let us do the hard work and keep your devices ship shape for you.

Sign up for our newsletter

* indicates required