services listing

residential support

 

Perhaps what makes affinity's service as popular as it has become is that the onsite costs aren't excessive. Our pick-it-up and drop-it-off services include ensuring that everything works before we leave! Most of our competitors won't do that. If you've ever had your computer repaired at a shop, then you've probably experienced having taken it home and plugged it in and something isn't working, whether it's the printer, the Internet, the wireless - you name it. At affinity, we don't leave until everything's right.

Of course, you do get what you pay for. If you've seen local ads for service people promoting computer help for $20/hour, well, there's a reason for that. Then again, there's no need to pay $120/hour either! Our prices are very fair and reasonable considering that things are done the right way.

Here is our detailed service listing for residential support.

Software Support (Viruses, Spyware, Slow Boot-ups, etc.)
When your computer is running slowly, chances are it's become infected with spyware, adware, and possibly even viruses. On top of that, after a long enough time without being properly cleaned up, the file system will also get bogged down, causing more slowdown. Put the two together and you're in for some trouble!

While much of the time a good cleanup will take care of the problem, other times an Operating System Reinstallation will be what you need. Many companies in town will perform cleanup procedures that only ensure a functioning system for a couple of months, and then you very well might get right back to where you were. If you're not sure what you need, just give us a call and we'll help you figure it out.

Virus/Spyware/Malware Removal: $69-159
- Virus and Spyware/Malware Removal can take between one and three hours (billable). A quote may be as high as, but will not exceed, $159.

Operating System Installation and Reinstallation: $139-179
- Installation WITH data backup and restoration: $179
- Installation WITHOUT data backup and restoration: $139

Tune-Up: $69
- Windows Updates
- Updates for any security software
- Hard drive error checking and disk defragmentation
- Memory error checking
- Changing visual performance settings in XP
- Cleanup of all temporary files and temporary Internet files
- Physical cleanup (including dust removal from components)

Hardware Service (Hard Drives, Memory, Video Cards, etc.)
Inevitably, hardware is bound to fail in a computer. Most commonly the hard drive, where all your data is stored, will crash, rendering your system unusable. The majority of the time we are able to recover most (if not all) of the data on a failed hard drive, but the success rate is entirely dependent on the severity of the hard drive problems. The first thing you should do? Turn the computer off and leave it off. Then give us a call!

Hard Drive Upgrade/Replacement: $139-199 + parts
- For $139 we shall install the hard drive and reinstall the Operating System (Windows). For $199, we will perform the above services and restore your data, including Windows and program Updates - just like new!

Memory: $39 + parts
- This simple service includes the installation of the memory upgrade/replacement and the testing via a thorough diagnostics program.

Video: $39 + parts
- This will include the installation of a graphics card and installation and configuration of the latest compatible software and drivers.

Motherboard: $69 + Operating System Installation
- Installation of a new motherboard inevitably includes the reinstallation of the Operating System, so both services should be paid for. If the CPU or memory is also being upgraded or replaced, a discount of $15 shall apply.

Other (Power Supply Units, Optical Drives, etc.): $39 + parts
- The installation of any minor component shall be at a single $39 charge.

Wireless Installation and/or Configuration
You will need both a wireless router/gateway and a wireless Network Interface Card (NIC) in order to have a computer be wirelessly connected to the Internet. Most laptops manufactured after 2005 (some earlier) have integrated (built-in) wireless cards; if this is the case, the cost of a wireless NIC is eliminated. Not sure what you need? Just ask us.

Wireless Service
Wireless installation and configuration ranges from $119 to $169. For one computer, the fee is $119 (this includes the installation, if necessary, of the wireless router). For two or more computers, the fee increases to $169.

Wireless Packages (Parts)
- For laptops with built-in wireless NIC: wireless router: $89 + installation fee
- For laptops without built-in wireless NIC: wireless router and wireless NIC: $179 + installation fee
- For desktop computers: wireless router and wireless PCI NIC: $189 + installation fee

Training
affinity provides training services on Windows computer platforms, including plans on learning on how to maintain your own computer so you're not so dependent on us! Contact us for information on training so we can determine exactly what is needed to suit you individually. We're not all the same - so why should training be? We'll train you on your own computer - not in a lab somewhere - and, unlike everywhere else in town, there's no additional cost for onsite service, of course. We are affinity, after all!

Onsite Labor
For any of the services not defined above, including package deals for computer maintenance, or any miscellaneous services or troubleshooting on the job (iPods, printers, game problems, TV tuner and TiVo setup, etc.), the hourly rate is $79.

Parts Costs and Warranties
Supplied by us:
When new parts are needed either for an upgrade or repair, affinity becomes the warrantor of the equipment for the duration of the manufacturer's warranty. On the invoice provided, underneath the part serial number or identification number, we shall document the warranty period and expiration date. The customer shall be responsible for producing the invoice if they wish to be entitled to warranty work. One hour's labor for the service call shall apply ($79) but the additional work fees will be waived (unless the hard drive is defective, at which point it will be replaced free of charge but data recovery fees and Operating System Reinstallation costs will be applied).

Purchased by you, the customer:
We will happily install any component(s) or software title(s) that you have purchased. In this case, however, we shall not warranty the part(s) or the labor to replace the failed part(s). We will warranty our workmanship in installing the part(s) or software title(s) for 30 days.

Bench Diagnostics Fee
A bench fee of $39 shall be charged for every repair or diagnostic service. This small fee compensates the associate for time involved on the project including diagnostics to determine what the problem is, the cause of the problem, and to diagnose any other existing issues that might surface soon. All shops in town have a bench fee for this purpose.

The Bench Diagnostics Fee includes dust removal and the reseating of all internal components and cables, as well as a surface cleaning of the computer itself.

All rates and fees are subject to change.

last updated 11/11/2008

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