System Repair & Cleanup Services

What can we do for you?

Written 09/02/2024 by Shelby Meyer
Last Updated 6/10/2025

What are Your Symptoms?
Broken screen? | Broken hinges?
Not booting? | Popup ads? | Odd messages?
Hard drive issues? | Basic Data Recovery?
Virus/Malware/Ransomware? | Weird behavior?
Operating System Reloads? | New Computer Builds?
Broken Power Jack? | Flames shooting out?
We can handle it!

Should You Fix It Yourself?

That depends on your skill level. You don't want to make the problem worse.

Please don't reformat and reload your computer. That is ALWAYS the last resort and rarely necessary. It's also a royal pain for the customer to reinstall drivers, software, printers, email etc. After that you'll need all those passwords and account information you may have forgotten!

System Cleanup

We do virus removal and malware removal. We also resolve any error messages and Windows issues. Our decades of experience allows us to successfully clean your computer without sacrificing your files. We fix the problems, remove the bad stuff and keep the good stuff.

By utilizing a comprehensive 2-page checklist, we make sure all computers are thoroughly checked. This procedure is continually evolving. We're always on the lookout for new tools & methods to keep computers in top form.

As a rule we like to do this work in our office. This allows us to have parts and tools on hand, and we can work on multiple machines at once. This avoids travel time and the potential for needing multiple trips. We have actively worked on as many as 10 at a time in the past!

It's rare for us to receive a computer that has a unique problem. But if we do, we figure it out. We like a challenge!
price icon Microsoft certified
The cost for a full cleanup service is typically $100. Compare to Geeksquad @ $149.00.
System optimization is included! Compare to Geek Squad's @ $39.99 upcharge.

Computer Repair & Upgrades

We're happy to help if your system is broken in some way or if you're looking for an upgrade. We service all brands such as HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer. Toshiba. ASUS, NZXT, Medion & more. All PC repairs are subject to parts availability. We stock many common component parts, but other items may need to be ordered.

a plus dcse

Memory Upgrades

If your computer is running slow, it may need more memory. At this point - ALL Windows computers should have at least 8 Gig of memory. However, many users are going with 16 Gig. Nearly all software (including games) will run with 16g RAM. Our blog post #28 discusses memory upgrades.
price icon A+ hardware certified service
Memory upgrades are normally billed at the cost of the memory.
NOTE: Some laptops must be taken apart to get at the memory. This will require a labor charge.

System Repaste

Updated 5/29/25
If your computer is running hot or the fans are constantly at full speed, the issue might be old thermal paste. Over time, thermal paste can dry out and lose its ability to effectively conduct heat, causing the processor to overheat and the fans to work harder. In this case, a thermal paste reapplication may be needed. We also clean the CPU fan to improve airflow. The result is better cooling, quieter fan operation, and potentially improved performance.
price icon A+ hardware certified service
The typical cost is $50.

Hard drive Upgrade or Replacement

If your C: drive is full or slow, both laptop and desktop drive(s) can be upgraded or a failing drive replaced. We normally use Samsung, SK Hynix, Western Digital or Crucial brand drives depending on current pricing. These brands are very well-known and highly respected in the industry.
price icon A+ hardware certified service
Drive upgrades are normally billed at the cost of the drive plus 1 hour of labor.
The average parts and labor cost is $100-$150. (This will depend on the cost of the drive.)
NOTE: Some laptops must be taken apart to get at the drive. This will require a labor charge.

Computer Builds

Updated 3/21/25
The build fee is normally built into the price when we sell a custom-built desktop. (We design the system and supply the parts.) If the customer supplies the parts, the labor is billed hourly.
price icon A+ hardware certified service
The average time to build a computer is 2+ hours assuming the customer has everything and there are no issues.
Adding a lot of ARGB lighting may increase the time needed.

Data Transfers

We can transfer all your files from an old computer to a new computer or other media.
price icon Microsoft certified
The typical cost is $50 unless you have an extreme amount.

Backups

Updated 6/6/25
We can backup single systems, servers or entire networks. Backups can be a one-time task or automated to occur on a schedule. There are so many ways to accomplish this task that it's best to contact us with your requirements.
price icon The typical cost is $50/hr. plus the cost of any media, hardware and software.

Data Recovery

Updated 2/26/25
Meyer Computer offers in-house data recovery service for less complex situations. The drive MUST power on and spin up. Typically, this would be a drive that is on the brink of failure but hasn't completely failed. The drive may be displaying a lot of error messages and working very slowly. If your drive meets these criteria, we'll attempt to recover your data. We can transfer the recovered data to your preferred storage media, such as a DVD, thumb drive, external hard drive, or internal drive.

For more complex cases, we can refer you to an external lab. This includes situations like fire or water damage, drives that don't spin up, or physically damaged drives. The drive will be shipped out to a lab and the process may take a while. The services can be costly, so it's up to you to decide if the expense is worth it.

Data recovery for thumb drives depends on the situation. Often, the issue is a broken connector. In some cases, we may be able to repair it enough to recover the data and transfer it to a new thumb drive. However, if any of the chips are cracked or damaged, the data is likely lost.
price icon NO GUARANTEE ON DATA RECOVERY.
The cost for the in-house data recovery service is billed at $50/hr.
The cost for outside lab data recovery can be several hundred or more than $1000.

Computer Wipe

If plan to discard or sell your computer, you should wipe your data. Failure to do so means the next person will have access to all your files!

You have options:
1) Remove and destroy the hard drive. Sell or give away the computer minus a drive.
2) Wipe (reformat the drive). Sell or give away the computer with a blank drive.
3) Wipe the data and keep the drive in the computer for the next person.
price icon The typical cost is $50.

Broken Connector Repair

Updated 3/9/25
Broken connectors, like power jacks, power buttons, and USB ports, can usually be replaced. Some of these ports are on separate boards and can be easily swapped out, while others are soldered directly to the motherboard and require more advanced work. Each case is different, so we need to inspect the device first to determine if the repair is possible and if the necessary replacement parts are available. You’ll need to decide if the repair is worth the cost. Replacements for power boards, power jacks, and USB ports are charged for both parts and labor. If you have any questions, feel free to call us!
price icon The typical cost is $50 plus any parts.

Soldering

We WILL do normal soldering work even if it's not computer related. We don't offer micro-soldering at present. Please call us with your questions!
price icon The typical cost is $50 unless you have a large project.

Broken Screen Replacement

Broken laptop screens can be replaced. In most cases, we will need to disassemble the laptop to get the correct part number. With your approval we will order the screen and perform the labor when it arrives. High-resolution screens and touch screens are significantly more expensive. The screen itself will be somewhere between $40 and $200. Regarding the labor: Some screens replacements go quickly, and others are more difficult and take considerably more time. You will need to decide if it's worth the repair. Screen replacements are billed as parts and labor.
price icon A+ hardware certified service
The average parts and labor cost is $100-$150. (This will depend on the cost of the screen.)

Business Printers

We can do work on HP business class printers and some Lexmark business class printers. Everything is subject to parts availability. Please call us with your questions!
price icon The typical cost is $50/hr. plus any parts.

Chromebooks

We do not sell or recommend a Chromebook. We can do repairs IF the parts are available. Please call us with your questions!
price icon The typical cost is $50/hr. plus any parts.
Check out Blog Post #10 for our thoughts on Chromebooks.

How long will it take?

We always aim to provide quick service, and in most cases, we'll complete tasks in the order they're received. If we need to order parts, we'll keep working on other computers while waiting for them to arrive. Business clients DO get priority over home users.

We also consider how old the computer is. Sometimes we get old computers that take forever to respond — like several minutes for a single click. We'll still work on them, but they'll usually take longer because we focus on quicker repairs first.

If you have an urgent need, just let us know, and we'll do our best to help. Our workload can change quickly — sometimes we have no one waiting, and other times, we may have several computers in line.

What to bring

Please have the following items when you bring your machine in for service:

Regular Desktops: The desktop & Windows password
AIO: The desktop, A/C power adapter and & Windows password
Laptops: The laptop, A/C power adapter and & Windows password
Email issues: The name of the email provider, email username and email password
Software issues: The software, manual and installation key (if applicable)
Error messages: It helps to have the exact error message word for word and tell us what you were doing or what happened at the time. Screenshots are encouraged.

Some things are not worth fixing

Small home printers are not worth fixing as the parts are usually not available. The cost of labor typically costs more than simply buying a new one. We live in a disposable world. Computers that are more than 8-10 years old are so obsolete that they should be replaced.

We can discuss possible options if the old computer contains some critical software that you're still using. For Example: Periodically we get a business desktop that runs some type of manufacturing software that can't be easily replaced, or the software doesn't run a newer version of Windows.

We do not work on...

Cellphones, cameras, disposable consumer printers & Apple products. A lack of available parts is usually the reason. Please call for repairs on anything not listed here. It doesn't hurt to ask!

Payment

We accept cash, paper check, Paypal and Zelle. (We do not take credit cards due to the fees.)

Summary

We are confident we can solve most problems, and we look forward to working with you!

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