如今，计算机很少出错，但一旦出错，从Geek Squad等公司或当地同类公司获得专业帮助可能会很昂贵。如果您的计算机出现故障并且您不想按小时计费，有几种方法可以用更少的钱解决问题。
1.做你自己的调查员
计算机是复杂的机器，但它们都服从于逻辑诊断过程(diagnosis process)。诀窍是沿着可能性列表向下工作，直到您确信自己知道问题出在哪里。
这需要经验和一些计算机硬件和软件如何工作(computer hardware and software work)的知识，但是任何人都可以遵循一些基本的经验法则来很好地解决问题：
- 逆向最后发生的事情（例如，系统更新、驱动程序安装、软件更改等）
- 运行系统文件完整性检查(system file integrity check)。
- 确保驱动程序是最新的。
- 删除最近安装的硬件。
- 拔下诊断不需要的所有外围设备。
- 消除(Eliminate)可能性（例如，更换鼠标以确定它或 PC 或鼠标是否有故障）。
这不是一个详尽的清单，但其想法是系统化的，并通过消除过程从广泛的可能性到具体的可能性。
2. 您可能(May)已经获得免费技术支持(Free Tech Support Already)
在您拿出信用卡(credit card)之前，请考虑您购买的特定硬件或软件(hardware or software)中可能已经包含免费技术支持(tech support)。这是使用Geek Squad的完美替代方案。例如，如果您是获得许可的用户 ，则可以从Microsoft获得对Windows的(Windows)技术支持。(tech support)
如果您的硬件（例如GPU ）出现(GPU)驱动程序或软件问题(driver or software issues)，您通常可以通过电子邮件发送支持。如果您的硬件仍在保修期内，那么您绝对应该让制造商或代理商(manufacturer or agent)处理任何问题，而不是尝试自己修复。
有时，当您购买新设备或计算机(device or computer)时，它还附带一两年的技术支持，因此值得检查一下您是否在购买价格(purchase price)中包含此优惠。
3.谷歌它
我们要告诉你一个秘密。当你把你的电脑拿去接受评估时，Geek Squad的技术人员可能会在谷歌(Google)上寻找答案，除非这是他们已经知道的常规问题。虽然优秀的计算机技术人员(computer technician)可以在没有互联网帮助的情况下解决问题，但这通常是获得解决方案的最快方法。毕竟，如果他们能够快速解决问题，这意味着他们可以完成更多有偿工作。
您需要准确描述症状，然后将其输入搜索引擎(search engine)以使其有效。如果您使用正确的关键字和描述，您很可能会找到解决办法。
4. 上论坛
互联网论坛几乎与互联网本身一样长，许多社区都是(Internet)知识和建议(knowledge and advice)的宝库。如果您在论坛上找不到问题的确切答案，您可以随时（礼貌地）帮助并描述您的具体问题。
虽然不能保证任何人都会为您提供答案，但我们通常会发现具有适当知识的人会提供帮助。请(Just)记住，这里没有人支付任何费用来提供技术支持，所以请按照自己的方式行事！
5.问朋友
您的一位朋友（或他们的一位朋友）很有可能是一位成功的技术负责人。您可以尝试使用您的连接寻求帮助，这比去正规维修店或 Geek Squad(repair or Geek Squad)技术支持店(support shop)便宜。
虽然您不能总是期望您的朋友免费帮助您，但您可能不必支付现金。他们可能只要求一张借条(IOU)，以换取未来的恩惠或(favor or payment)另一种形式的付款（如家常饭菜）。如果钱确实易手，它的价格可能低于正规的电脑维修(computer repair outfit)机构的收费。请记住，如果朋友在您的计算机上工作，则无法保证，如果出现问题，您将没有任何追索权。
6.用螺丝刀舒服
如果您的计算机问题涉及在计算机内部四处寻找、拆卸部件、检查散热器和风扇等组件是否损坏，以及使用“可怕”的电子设备，那么可能是时候习惯它了。
虽然智能手机和平板电脑等设备在很大程度上无法为用户服务，但台式电脑却可以。当然，即使是大多数笔记本电脑(laptops)也不会太难打开并且只有在你有充分理由的情况下才能四处逛逛。
计算机组件的设计方式(way computer)，将它们错误地组合在一起比正确地组合起来更难。多年来，情况发生了很大变化，任何能够耐心和细心(patience and care)地阅读和遵循说明的人都应该没有问题。更好的是，这是互联网视频(internet video)的时代，因此您可以查看无数演示，向您展示如何在您的计算机上执行维护、维修和诊断。这将我们巧妙地带到下一个技巧！
7. 检查 YouTube
YouTube 上(YouTube)有很多优秀的技术内容(technology content)，您几乎肯定会找到适合初学者的解释器和教程视频来帮助您解决问题。这可能是向您介绍我们自己的在线技术提示 Youtube 频道(Online Tech Tips Youtube Channel)的好时机。您会发现大量快速简便的修复程序以及简单的技术解释器。
例如，对于PC 构建(PC building advice)技术建议，您可能需要查看Gamer's Nexus。如果您只想了解计算机技术(computer technology)，您还应该阅读每个认真的技术爱好者都应该订阅的 5 个 YouTube 频道(5 YouTube Channels Every Serious Tech Fan Should Subscribe To)。
8. 货比三家，寻找最便宜的极客(Cheapest Geeks)
如果您已经用尽了上述所有选项，并且现在需要花钱请人修理您的计算机，那么您仍然不必支付Geek Squad等主流(Geek Squad charge)计算机维修(computer repair)特许经营商收取的费用。
您可以使用诸如谷歌地图(Google Maps)（实际上是谷歌(Google)本身）之类的工具来做一些比较购物(comparative shopping)。为什么不打电话给当地的商店，询问他们的小时费率是多少？由于需要与大卖场竞争，在较小的家庭式PC 维修(PC repair)店之一甚至可能会有特价或促销。(rate or promotion)
请务必权衡您看到的低价与已在给定商店维修计算机的客户的评论。你最终会得到你所支付的，所以找到服务和价格(service and price)的正确平衡是至关重要的。通常，位于购物中心等黄金地段的(Often computer)Geek Squad等电脑维修店价格昂贵，因为它们的租金和运营成本很高，因此寻找在租金便宜的地方开设商店的技术人员可能是获得较低费率的好方法。
8 Cheaper Alternatives to Geek Squad to Fix Your Computer
These days, computers rarely go wrоng, but when they do, it cаn be еxpensiνe to get professional help from cоmpanies like Gеek Squаd or your local equivalent. If yоur computer is on the fritz and you don’t want to rack up those hourly rates, there are a few ways you can fix the problem for leѕs money.
1. Be Your Own Investigator
Computers are complicated machines, but they all submit to a logical diagnosis process. The trick is to work your way down the list of possibilities until you are confident that you know where the problem is.
This can take experience and some knowledge of how computer hardware and software work, but anyone can follow a few basic rules of thumb to have a good shot at figuring out the problem:
- Reverse the last thing that happened (e.g., system update, driver installation, software changes, etc.)
- Run a system file integrity check.
- Make sure drivers are up to date.
- Remove recently installed hardware.
- Unplug all peripherals that aren’t necessary for diagnostics.
- Eliminate possibilities (e.g. swap out a mouse to determine if it or the PC or the mouse is at fault).
This isn’t an exhaustive list, but the idea is to be systematic and work from broad possibilities to specific ones through a process of elimination.
2. You May Have Free Tech Support Already
Before you whip out your credit card, consider that you may already have free tech support included with specific hardware or software you’ve bought. This is a perfect alternative to using Geek Squad. For example, you can get tech support for Windows from Microsoft if you’re a licensed user.
If you’re having driver or software issues with your hardware, such as your GPU, you can usually email support. If your hardware is still under warranty, then you absolutely should let the manufacturer or agent handle any problems instead of trying to fix it yourself.
Sometimes when you buy a new device or computer, it also comes with a year or two of tech support, so it’s worth checking if you had this offer included in the purchase price.
3. Google It
We’re going to let you in on a bit of a secret. When you take your computer in to be assessed, Geek Squad technicians are probably hitting up Google for answers unless it’s a routine problem they already know. While a good computer technician can figure out a problem without the help of the internet, it’s usually the fastest way to get to the solution. After all, if they can fix a problem quickly, it means they can get more paid work done.
You need to accurately describe the symptoms and then type those into a search engine to make this effective. If you use the right keywords and description, you’re very likely to find a fix.
4. Hit Up the Forums
Internet forums have been around almost as long as the internet itself, and many of the communities are a treasure trove of knowledge and advice. If you can’t find the exact answer to your problem on a forum, you can always (politely) help and describe your specific problem.
While there’s no guarantee that anyone will have the answer for you, we usually find that someone with the proper knowledge will help. Just remember that no one is being paid to provide tech support here, so conduct yourself accordingly!
5. Ask a Friend
There’s a good chance that one of your friends (or one of their friends) is an accomplished tech-head. You can try asking for help using your connections, and this can work out cheaper than going to a formal repair or Geek Squad tech support shop.
While you can’t always expect your friends to help you for free, you may not have to pay cash. An IOU for a future favor or payment in another form (like a home-cooked meal) could be all they ask. If money does change hands, it’s likely for less than a formal computer repair outfit would charge. Just bear in mind that if a friend works on your computer, there are no guarantees, and if something goes wrong, you won’t have any recourse.
6. Get Comfortable With a Screwdriver
If your computer troubles involve rooting around inside a computer, removing parts, checking components like heatsinks and fans for damage, and otherwise working with “scary” electronics, it might be time to get used to it.
While devices like smartphones and tablets are very much not user-serviceable, desktop PCs are. Even most laptops aren’t too hard to open up and have a poke around only if you have a good reason, of course.
The way computer components are designed, it’s harder to put them together incorrectly than correctly. Things have changed quite a lot over the years, and anyone who can read and follow instructions with a bit of patience and care should have no issue. Even better, this is the age of internet video, so you can look up an endless number of demonstrations showing you how to perform maintenance, repairs, and diagnostics on your computer. This brings us neatly to the next tip!
7. Check YouTube
There’s so much good technology content on YouTube that you’ll almost certainly find beginner-friendly explainers and tutorial videos to help you resolve your issues. This is probably a good time to tell you about our own Online Tech Tips Youtube Channel. You’ll find plenty of quick and easy fixes, as well as simple tech explainers.
For technical PC building advice, for example, you might want to check out Gamer’s Nexus. If you’re going to simply learn about computer technology, you should also read 5 YouTube Channels Every Serious Tech Fan Should Subscribe To.
8. Shop Around for the Cheapest Geeks
If you’ve exhausted all of the options above and are now in a position where you need to pay someone to fix your computer, you still don’t have to pay the rates that mainstream computer repair franchises like Geek Squad charge.
You can use tools such as Google Maps (and indeed Google itself) to do some comparative shopping. Why not phone your local stores and ask what their hourly rates are? There may even be a special rate or promotion at one of the smaller mom-and-pop PC repair outlets since they need to compete with the big box stores.
Be sure to weigh up the low price you see against reviews from customers who’ve had their computers repaired by a given store. You ultimately get what you pay for, so finding the right balance of service and price is essential. Often computer repair outlets like Geek Squad in prime spots such as shopping malls are expensive because they have massive rent bills and running costs, so looking for technicians who’ve set up shop where rent is cheaper might be an excellent way to get lower rates.
