OEM Computers, biggest rip off! Why does no one do anything?

[Bios24]

Comptuer shops are no worse or better than auto repair places. Both generally overcharge, and there are always good/bad shops around town. It's just a matter of finding one you like and trusting that person. Whether they are a pc tech, or a mechanic.

PC's are a little different though, as when it breaks, it's usually just as cost-effective to buy a new one. Most people try to repair old computers, when often they should just buy a new one. Then give there old ones to people like me to 'refurb' them

 

[Mr_Fuchs]

For a long time users in my town received my expertise by dealing with small shops, and I can assure you, no higher grade of PC assistance occured. I understand most PC technicians cannot do their jobs, but this is America after all, most doctors can't do their jobs here. This does not preclude the chance of encountering true expertise in a small PC shop; I personally know it can happen.

you might be from a small town or outside of the US all together, because in new york there is a VERY oversaturated computer tech market.. these guys will work for a hot meal.

and they will do whatever it takes to make rent.

 

[Elif Tymes]

Thats New York. We have a couple local PC shops in my town, and one of them is quality, the other is... bleah...

 

[Mr. Chambers]

I own and operate one of those small shops everyone is dissing in here - I assure you I do not rip off any of my customers, but give them nothing less than the finest quality service I can. Nor do I fix things that are not broken. Please do not insinuate that all small shops are out to screw the customer - it's insulting.

Most of the work is spyware/virus clean up, but occasionally I do build a few rigs for the local farmers coop - I agree, it is tough to beat Dell on prices, especially once you factor in the cost of an LCD.

 

[Mr_Fuchs]

^ I said in NY, and i figured it was a whole different ball game in small towns.

 

[ScottinIndy]

Let me ask a question or two that will truly show off my lack of intelligence. As mentioned earlier in this thread I have an H.P. computer. I also have a full version of windows xp home sp2. If I wanted to get rid of some of the shortcomings that come with a proprietary computer. Could I change M.B's and install the clean version of xp and then have more options in regard to what I can do with this computer. Would changing the mb give me a clean bios to work with? I guess I need to know what else would need to be done to basically get rid of all the H.P. "junk". Since it is a seemingly HP/Compaq only A-64 3300 processor would that still cause issue's? It is not something that is necessary or pressing, However if it could be done fairly easily it is something I would seriously consider doing.
I could possibly run into an issue with Microsoft so it may not be viable if it is indeed possible, I got the full xp for Christmas, Ran it a week on our old computer than decided the computer couldn't handle it and reinstalled Me. So I basically have a full version of Xp sitting around collecting dust.
Sorry for kind of going off topic, However it is a general hardware question and it does involve OEM. It is just something I have wondered about for awhile.

 

[1cem4n]

Mom's Laptop hard drive broke(could hear a weird clicking) and then when she went to Best Buy, they said they would fix it up for 500 dollars. I asked her to let me see it and I got a 100gb(they offered a 60gb) Seagate Harddrive for around $125(after rebates) and installed it and the old software. Now my mom depends on me for computer issues.

-1cem4n

 

[MadSkillzMan]

where im at its lousy. Cost me 85$ to look at my motherboard and tell me its broken. turns out i needed a new PSU. i was told the CDRW drive was shorting everything.

Friend of mine dropped 300$ because his comp kept doing a BSOD. they even started letting him pay with parts! what was wrong? a 80mm fan was causing sparks.

So much dishonesty, unqualified people in this world

 

[Pyros]

So much dishonesty, unqualified people in this world

THAT is the real root of the problem. Its hard to find people with good work and business ethics anymore.

 

[subtotal]

Let me ask a question or two that will truly show off my lack of intelligence. As mentioned earlier in this thread I have an H.P. computer. I also have a full version of windows xp home sp2. If I wanted to get rid of some of the shortcomings that come with a proprietary computer. Could I change M.B's and install the clean version of xp and then have more options in regard to what I can do with this computer. Would changing the mb give me a clean bios to work with? I guess I need to know what else would need to be done to basically get rid of all the H.P. "junk". Since it is a seemingly HP/Compaq only A-64 3300 processor would that still cause issue's? It is not something that is necessary or pressing, However if it could be done fairly easily it is something I would seriously consider doing.

since the bios is part of the motherboard, yes new motherboard=new bios.
i can't see an unusual stepping causing too much trouble, although you might want to check in the AMD section of the CPU-subforum.

just check two things before you start shopping for a new motherboard however.

1. which socket CPU is it? it'll be 754 or 939 (but since it's an OEM my money is on 754)

2. what interface does your video card use AGP or PCIE (however if your cpu is socket 754 it WILL be AGP)

since you have a full version if xp you should do a clean install after installing the new motherboard

 

[ScottinIndy]

since the bios is part of the motherboard, yes new motherboard=new bios.
i can't see an unusual stepping causing too much trouble, although you might want to check in the AMD section of the CPU-subforum.

just check two things before you start shopping for a new motherboard however.

1. which socket CPU is it? it'll be 754 or 939 (but since it's an OEM my money is on 754)

2. what interface does your video card use AGP or PCIE (however if your cpu is socket 754 it WILL be AGP)

since you have a full version if xp you should do a clean install after installing the new motherboard

The current m.b. is indeed a 754. (asus) Currently using Leadtek 68nu agp on it. Thanks for the input, It is appreciated!

 

[larva]

Let me ask a question or two that will truly show off my lack of intelligence. As mentioned earlier in this thread I have an H.P. computer. I also have a full version of windows xp home sp2. If I wanted to get rid of some of the shortcomings that come with a proprietary computer. Could I change M.B's and install the clean version of xp and then have more options in regard to what I can do with this computer.

HP software builds are horrible. They have all kinds of utilities running in the background for reasons that only matter to HP, and the end result is there is no computer left over to do unimportant things like run the applications you bought it for in the first place. I have seen many new HP machines that operated at a third or fourth their real performance potential simply because the HP software build is total crap. Just ****-canning the HP software build may produce dramatic improvements, hardware aside.

Your machine is likely capable of accomodating a standard motherboard if you desire, but I would try a real windows install either way. This sort of thing demonstrates why it is poor to lump all band-names together as a single entity, as Dell is as good as HP is inept.

 

[MadSkillzMan]

See, we cant argue much yet about laptops, since 1. we cant do a DIY and 2. theres no other option.

Those LCD projectors are a rip as well. If you do some research , making a NICE projector for yourself is dirt cheap. And if your willing to rip out a 15" LCD monitor, youll get a picture better than onen of the expensive in store ones.

But no one does that because they think its too complicated and/or lazy

Some of the tell deals look OK, minus the lack of installing linux on the new ones.

I will give apple this, i like seeing their iBooks cheaper than their desktops. if i didnt love my old G3, (and bring it up to date for 300$) id score one of those

 

[1cem4n]

When you're looking at the low end computers, they really are a bargain since it comes with all sorts of goodies that I scavenge stuff for. A family friend of mine bought the LOWEST priced dell desktop and got a free 17" lcd with it. The whole setup with the monitor cost less than what the monitor would have cost by itself. He then put some old CRT on the dell.

-1cem4n