Oy - Geek Squad issues

[Aero]

Ok, well, I havn't been around in awhile. Most of that stems from my current PC issues. Check this new "My System" thing to see what I'm running at the moment. But I did have a laptop that was decent, Pentium M, 1.6 ghz, 512 mb RAM, 60 Gig HDD, not the newest, but she works. Well...worked. I took it over to Geek Squad last summer and they repaired the power connector because it broke off the Mobo >_<, (they replaced the mobo :) ), and said that it would cost $200 to fix the sound card knob that broke because it was due to inappropriate use, completely impossible that it could have been a crappy knob. Then they charged me $25 for sending it out and not repairing the knob (THEY DID FIX THE MOBO THOUGH, and I still got charged..whateve's, I was angry, but I'll live).

So it works good for a few months then...

I started having issues a few weeks ago, data coruption, boot-up errors, screen not coming on, sound card knob broke[still], DVD-drive wouldn't spin. So I took it to Best Buy where I'm going to college. (Only 2 months left on the Warranty now, ends last week in March) I tell them the following things need attention:

1) Mouse Pad not working well
2) Sound knob broken
3) Disk Drive won't spin
4) Screen won't turn on
5) HDD giving errors on bootup, having corrupt files

So they send it out and say it will take about 3 weeks to get back.

-so I wait-

Yesturday (about 2 weeks after it got sent out), I get a call that its in and fixed, but they need my power cable to confirm this. So I bring it over and they guy tells me they fixed:

1) The screen
2) Sound card
3) Replaced the mobo


WTF! They fixed the sound card that the other store was going to charge me $200 for! Sweet, and whats with the mobo? I mean, I'll take it, but that fixes nothing else...maybe the mouse pad? No word on the HDD or disk drive.

So I tell him there was more wrong with it, he says maybe it fixed the other problems (magic?). So he plugs it in and turns it on, screen comes on, so that works, but then, sure enough the HDD error comes up, windows not found, or corrupt files, something like that, won't even boot to safe mode or anything. So he says he will run some diagnositcs on it to see if the HDD is bad and then call me back.

-NOTE- I know the HDD is bad, I replaced it with the drive from my other laptop, installed Windows (from the same disk), and it runs fine. The laptop runs with another HDD, but not the one in there, which gives me data corruption, loses data, etc. That drive won't even run in my other systems stabely, its just trouble where ever I try it.

Also, hardware issues are covered by my 3 year warranty, and software isn't of course.
-/NOTE-

So I get a voicemail an hour ago, saying they ran the tests and for me to call them back. I do, and they say that they ran tests (Seatools and "Our own diagnostic program") and the HDD looks fine so it must be the software...

WHAT!

Despite the repetitive problems, with different versions of windows, on multiple HDD's, with this HDD giving problems in any version, running any software, it must be my software...right. He says that its probably because "Toshiba's are finicky about software, and might not work if you don't have the original XP version (from the Toshiba Back Up Disk) installed"...

So now I need to go pick it up..with the same crappy HDD, and hope they fixed my DVD drive, because before I couldn't even get the darn thing to spin so that I could install software. I think I may talk with a manager though.

[crenn]

Time to mod?

[Aero]

lol, maybe if I can get it running on a HDD besides an old 20 Gig out of an MP3 player.

[Luke122]

That's a total cop out. Geek Squad is a bunch of frauds. No offense if anyone here is in there.. but most of them are junk.

That's like the guy at Best Buy telling me they dont stock the Mac mini because it's old technology, and Apple is discontinuing them right away. "Besides, you should check out this killer HP Media Center box!" Yeah, ok thanks tips.

</rant>

So anyways, my thoughts.. backup your data, and run the restore disk right in front of him. When it starts choking again, ask him what the problem is.. watch him stutter.

Go for the manager anyways.. they are the only ones with:
A) balls enough to tell it like it is.. usually
B) the ability to try and make things right

Best of luck, keep us posted.

[NightrainSrt4]

I worked for Best Buy for quite a while, right up until my surgery. I worked in the computer department. I was offered a job in Geek Squad in two different stores, refused both.

Now heres the thing. To work behind the counter, the guys you go to and give your computer to "fix" need to have absolutely ZERO experience with fixing computers. Ya they want general computer knowledge but that is the extent of it. The only ones that I know had certifications were the guys working the field. I never checked if that was mandatory or not, as I was only concerned with speccing out a job at the tech desk or whatever they call it now.

Many of those that work at the desk for Geek Squad have no certification and many don't know much other than how to slap in a memory stick or graphics card. All the diagnosing (unless you get the occasional guy who is certified and knows his stuff) is all done by a disk. The disk diagnoses the issues. If they can't find anything through that, most of the time they are simply speculating what they think "may" be the issue, when in truth many of them haven't fixed a pc commercially and have very little experience diagnosing problems.

If they don't try to figure it out themselves when the disk comes back clear of issues, thats when the computer gets sent out if you are still willing to have them fix it. You will notice at this point, many will try to upsell you to a brand new pc instead of fixing it. All part of the job. If they can basket sell you, even better. Although they stopped using that term, its still the same thing. Sell you every bit of crap you might use once the whole time you own the computer.

Note: If you bought the best buy service plan they will send it out to their warehouse/service station place. If you don't and its still under warranty by the manufacturer, they just send it to them. So HP, or Dell, or whomever. This is where the $25 fee usually goes into play if thats all you had to pay. If your not under the service plan with them then your paying for BB to ship it to the manufacturer. A simple call to the manufacturer can often get you free shipping, or atleast cheap shipping to them. Another way of BB making money.


Too long to Read:

Most Geek Squad members do not have certifications or any real experience, as it is not a requirement to get the job. If you like computers and can convince the manager that is the job for you, and they need someone over there, the job is yours.

[Omega]

=p

My dad's a geek squad dude. Except he's corporate stuff, which means certs are req'd and he doesn't do in-store work. He's one of the guys in a suit and a VW beetle (that car sucks hard).

The in-store people, though. They're like high school kids with no certs. =p

[crenn]

Hey... I don't have any certs and can still properly diagnose 75-90% of problems that come to me! (At least 15% of those problems are the user being to ******* stupid to use a PC)

[NightrainSrt4]

Hey... I don't have any certs and can still properly diagnose 75-90% of problems that come to me! (At least 15% of those problems are the user being to ******* stupid to use a PC)

Well if only BB gave the positions to more people like you, who have atleast some clue as to what they are doing lol. I kinda miss working there with good friends but all in all I am glad I don't anymore.


Where I worked it was all about who knew who and who was friends with who. At the meetings the guys in Magnolia and the tv department constantly got called out on how they had 4,000$ sale, and 6,000$ sale. Which is like one tv. Then when the time came around for employee of the quarter and such, guess who were the ones to get it.

I had one person congratulate me the day I had a 18,000$ sale. The dude who I sold to was an awesome dude though. Real nice. He showed me his bank account balance slips and everything after we had talked and I didn't believe how much money he had because he was so down to earth. Lets just say 18k was nothing. He kept insisting on giving me a $500 tip for helping him but I couldn't take it. I almost thought I was going to lose the sale as he was very insistent and yet I couldn't take it. I was concerned about losing my job or something. Looking back I wish i had taken it lol.

Just most of the perks are all given to the friends of managers and such. Stupid, but life i suppose.

I can't complain to much as I got the job in the computer department by being recognized by the manager. I originally worked in the media (cd's video games, movies) department and a customer came up to me for help with a computer because no one was over their (they all took their breaks at the same time and left the department wide open). Made a 3k$ sale on a laptop that only cost 1k$. That one sale got me the job in the pc department so I guess I can't complain. Although, my pay didn't go up, and just was given a WAY more stressful job with people constantly harping on you to make sales.

So ya, thats a bit of my experience there and some insight on BB/GS for when you bring your pc in there. :D

[TheGreatSatan]

He kept insisting on giving me a $500 tip for helping him but I couldn't take it. I almost thought I was going to lose the sale as he was very insistent and yet I couldn't take it.

I've taken $50 tips before. My manager told me to:up:


Nowadays, I always tell people not to waste their money on repairs. $300 can get you a new computer, it won't be fast, but it will be new (http://www.officedepot.com/browse.do?Ne=2&Nr=200000&N=265495)

[Aero]

well, I'm going over there. If they don't cover it I can get another drive from newegg for about $40, so it wouldn't be a huge loss on my end, plus its a bigger loss for them, I was looking at a 24 inch monitor from them, but I think I'll just get it from one of the other over priced national retailers now.

[Aero]

Ok, well, just got back. They wouldn't fix it. Basically I got that if it doesn't show up as "broken" in their tests, they can't do anything. Which makes sense businessly, but really sucks at keeping the customer happy. They kept saying that it must be the software wasn't installed properly (how you screw up installing Windows is beyond me).

My favorite part is when the guy asked me if I knew how to go into the bios and change boot devices. I just said "Um, yes, I've built and fixed many computers before, I know what to do", and he says "Yeah I kinda picked that up from you". Wow, was that me asking about the motherboard replacement, or discussing the internal workings of my harddrive with you? What gave it away?

Ugh, well, atleast the DVD drive works again, and so does the screen. This way I can limp on by refomating, but this time I think I will just wipe the drive clean a few times, not just once before I install something. Maybe it will clear up some old data somewhere that could have been causing problems. I'm also going to see if Hitachi will cover the HDD, if they do I might be able to still get a replacement.

Also, anyone know any Linux distros that work with the Intel 2200BG (Older centrino card) wireless pretty simply?

[crenn]

Well if only BB gave the positions to more people like you, who have atleast some clue as to what they are doing lol. I kinda miss working there with good friends but all in all I am glad I don't anymore.

If they gave me a position I would be happy since I'm currently looking for a part-time job, something to do with computer hardware, but so far been rejected. We don't have BestBuy in Australia though.

If someone knows of a company in Victoria, Australia that is hiring part time tech support or retail position in selling computers.... let me know :dead:

[IndyRacer27]

Also, anyone know any Linux distros that work with the Intel 2200BG (Older centrino card) wireless pretty simply?

If you go with Ubuntu, here (http://untitledfinale.wordpress.com/2007/10/22/update-ieee-80211-and-ipw2200-on-ubuntu-gutsy/)'s an article for getting it to work. Not sure how much linux experience you have but here (http://ipw2200.sourceforge.net/)'s a linux driver, for whatever distro you choose. This is the source of the driver, so getting it to work may take some tweaking.

[Ichbin]

I was looking at a 24 inch monitor from them, but I think I'll just get it from one of the other over priced national retailers now.

You mean Newegg/Tiger direct right? lol.

[Quakken]

If there are multiple serious issues with an older computer, I say just replace it.

Seems you spent a good amount of cash trying to revive frankenstein when you could've had a brand new average human.

But I don't know all the information anyway, so what DO I know?

[Aero]

You mean Newegg/Tiger direct right? lol.

Lol, probably Newegg. Tigerdirect is based about 40 miles from my regular address, so I normally go with them cause even ground shipping shows up in 1-2 days:p, but at college I think Newegg might be faster.

Thanks Indy, I'll look into it. I have used Ubuntu to set up a PC to play music, otherwise I have to Linux experience, but I can't really think of a better time to learn since Windows is having major problem-o's with that computer for some reason.

Quakken, I've spent nothing on it. It SHOULD have been covered under the warranty $300 warrranty I bought 2.97 years ago. But they can't verify its a "hardware problem". Even since they didn't do anything, I can replace the HDD myself for about $50, which will also double my space, I also found out my new roommate had one of these that broke and might be able to give me his old ram if he can find it, which would give me a laptop that runs again, but I would have 120gig HDD space, and 1 gig of ram. Now I just need to keep it running, which means some mods to increase air flow to the hot parts like the processor, HDD, and maybe over the RAM.

Besides what wrong with reviving old monsters? I'm running 2 old P3 systems at the moment because my "new" "top of the line" stuff I bought 2 years ago fried. These P3's have been running for almost 9 years now, and still boot up smoothly and are perfect for school work, excel, powerpoint creation, and writing reports. I could have spent say $400 on one new system, or I can just pic these up for free from my neighbors and spend $25 on a KVM switch and have enough computers for what I need. Heck, I can even play Duke Nukem 3D and Wing Commander 4 again!

[crenn]

Tip for cooling down your CPU in your laptop... replace the thermal pad with a thermal paste ;)
Shaves at least 5c off the temp!

Old machines are good backup machines. I still have my Athlon XP 1800+ and it's still running.

[Omega]

I think most linux distros will work with wireless as long as the chipset is Atheros. Out of the box, that is. You can always get drivers.

[Aero]

Old machines are good backup machines. I still have my Athlon XP 1800+ and it's still running.


lol, back home I have 2 486's that I still need to find a use for, besides a coffee table that is:lick:

[crenn]

lol, back home I have 2 486's that I still need to find a use for, besides a coffee table that is:lick:

Get them to run linux home security software?

[Aero]

Got to learn how to use this linux thing first, then maybe.

Oh, so the story continues, as I install Ubuntu on this thing the screen shuts off and won't come back on. I push the power button for 10 seconds to shut it down, then restart and the screen comes back on. Its quite possible its the same problem as before because this is the same thing that happened before it wouldn't come back on at all. From what I understand Best Buy warranty's gives them 3 chances to fix a problem before they give you a new one right? Well, number 3 might be coming up soon if it keep acting funky like this.


excuse my crappy english today, kinda tired :lick:

[chaksq]

Old machines are good backup machines. I still have my Athlon XP 1800+ and it's still running.

I still occasionally use my old XPS for server type stuff. Throw in upgrades when I come across them, more ram, etc that type of stuff. I also love my old P3 ThinkPad, so many ways to upgrade plus the bay devices, dock, etc I can use in a newer ThinkPad if I ever upgrade. I use the ThinkPad a fair amount.