What would you do: fix or buy a new computer?

If your motherboard and processor are fine and you're satisfied with the computer's speed and processing capacity, I wouldn't get a new computer - unless you really want to.

What the guy told you is that you need to reinstall Windows. There should be a Windows key, a long alphanumeric thing separated by dashes, on a Windows label on the computer. If recovery disks didn't come with the computer, you can download the correct version of Windows, install it, and plug in the key when it asks for it.

Be aware that you will lose whatever software you have installed if you can't reinstall it. Be sure to copy all of your data, especially files you want to keep, off of your computer before you do this.

A safer idea is to remove the hard drive and put in a new hard drive.

You do NOT need a solid state drive, atleast, assuming that isn't the kind of drive the computer has to begin with. That store is trying to sell you one! An ordinary hard drive of 500 gigabytes or 1 terabyte should be fine. Cost about $60.00

If your computer has power drive and mother board connectors for a second hard drive, hook pu the old one and copy off the files onto the new hard drive. Do NOT connect the old hard drive before installing Windows since you could easily accidentally wipe your old hard drive.

Now, before you do all of this, some computers have a separate compartment on the hard drive from which you can restore the computer to what was on the hard drive when you bought it. YOu still have to back up your data.

Windows should also give you the option of creating an image to restore your system from. However if there is a Windows operating system error it may simply get passed to your new installation, since you'll simply be putting on a new hard drive an exact image of your system as it exists at this time.

As is typical, your high cost computer shop workup didn't actually look very hard for what is causing the operating system error; it is possible it can be fixed short of reinstalling Windows. These tech support people are only allowed to spend so much time on you, and running simple electronic tests or reinstalling Windows doesn't take much time. A friend who knows Windows might do better by you.

Of course, it has LONG been my experience, that anyone who would spend all this money on high cost, low results tech support, is both wealthy and lazy enough to throw the thing in the trash and buy a glitzy new laptop.

Instead of throwing it in the trash, could you ship it to me if I paid for shipping?

i would consider buying a new computwr if its more than 4 years due to the hardware and software. do take note not all old pc able take a new operation system.And whether tge store have the matching component's forvthe old pc.

if you are thinkng to built your own pc go yes you can budget fornthe hatdware. i have.been that sititation but i end up troubleshooting after 2 years due windows the service pack.

yes you can find diy noteboik but it is hard normally consumer rather a new laptop which cost less tgat 2,000.

You can get a new computer for the same price and it will be a much better computer than the one you have. There is software to get the office licenses off so you could use it on the new computer as well. Also, a blue screen should also have an error message that you could write down and Google. Regardless, get a new one and don't buy from Costco for you pay a premium and don't get much bang for the buck.

Fire your tech person and find someone who knows what they are doing.

More importantly, what version of Windows are you running?

Copy the data from your computer you can't replace including any passwords, bookmarks, etc. if you have other software, make sure you have the file to re-install or be able to download it. Make sure you have the drivers you need. One of the few advantages of a Dell is you can find your drivers on their site.

Format (completely erase) your hard drive and re-install windows. You may be able to do this delete/reinstall via the Dell site.

The other option is, after you copy your data, erase the computer, donate it and buy a Mac. I'm a recovering Windows user and am continuing to fix my Windows friends' computers.

I don't replace a computer based on a technical problem, I fix it. If there is new technology that you use that is beyond your current computer you should replace it. If you 'tech' person is not finding a hardware problem, don't randomly replace a hard drive. They are just trying to sell you something.

OK, the test that the techs need to do is swap out the hard disk with a test unit. Install windows on it and let it cook (That means leaving it on) to see if there is a BSOD with the new windows installation. If so, then it is likely a hardware problem. If not, then putting a standard hard disk and a reinstallation installation of Windows will fix the issue. (A cheaper fix). If you want an SSD, have a cheaper 250 Gig unit installed with a new hard disk. Put the reinstalled OS on the SSD. (You can also use a 128 Gig unit that costs about $49.)

If there is a hardware problem they should take out the RAM, clean the contacts and reinstall the modules. Then cook the unit and see if that clears the BSOD. If the BSOD continues, then consider getting a new unit. COSTCO has a nice Dell desktop for around $800 if you want to continue with the desktop. You can also see if there are some stores selling refurbished units.

For the amount of money which this allegedly-professional technician wishes to charge, they should have taken steps to isolate the problem, which may or may not even be a failing hard drive. Also, assuming that the hard drive really is found to be the issue, why does the technician wish to install a costly SSD into a desktop computer which uses a standard 3 1/2" SATA hard drive?

In my experience, both working as a professional technician in the past, and as a hobbyist today, BSOD errors and system stability issues are usually caused by swollen/leaking capacitors in the power supply, swollen/leaking capacitors on the motherboard itself, corrupted system files, invalid/corrupted device drivers, or failing RAM. Usually, when the hard drive itself is going bad, the problem manifests itself as extremely sluggish operation, hard drive light on constantly, excessive seeking noises, taking forever to load/find files.

I am not sure that you need another computer, but I would certainly not recommend putting $450+ into an unnecessary SSD upgrade, which may not even address the underlying problem. Also, I feel it was improper for this "technician" to charge $95.00 without providing a definitive diagnosis. Nowhere did I read that he performed diagnostic testing which indicated a failed/failing hard drive, so it sounds like all he is doing is guessing. A better technician would have identified the exact BSOD error and researched probable causes (i.e. hardware or software) and if hardware would have visually inspected the motherboard capacitors, pulled the power supply and inspected the capacitors inside, run MEMTEST to test the memory, then attempted to clean-install the OS onto a different "test" hard drive to see if any errors would occur. Only then could the technician recommend replacing the hard drive (or attempting to reformat and reinstall on the existing one).

You don't say much about your system configuration, so there is no way to judge the cost of a new computer with equivalent capability. But in general, a computer that is already 7 years old, deserves a decent funeral. For only a bit more than the cost of the upgrade (and diagnosis) you can buy a new system that is sure to be more performant, and with more life remaining.

And if I were faced with the same decision I would opt to rebuild that machine. But that's just me! As for someone who is a self professed non-technical novice computer user, the better way to go would probably be to get a new one. In my opinion, any one advising a novice user to go with Linux is way off base as that would only serve to confuse the situation even more than necessary. Once again this is MY OWN OPINION... and let me stre

You have already wasted 95 dollars on a old system, dont replace the hard drive with a SS drive and spend 400 more bucks just buy a new system...

Replacing the hard drive and reinstalling Windows is the easy way out.
It doesn't save all of your pictures, documents, music, and any other data you might have on the hard drive.
There are a number of utilities that a decent tech or friend tech can run to determine if it is the hard drive, your ram memory, or some software like a drive causing a problem. They are all easy to run, but all take TIME to run.
The very first thing to do is invest in an external hard drive and backup all of your important data to it, including any programs you have downloaded from online purchase or free.
Second thing to do is see how much space you have left on the hard drive. Could be a simple matter of deleting old files so Windows can do all the things it needs to do in the background.
Then your tech or friend tech can run some utilities and Windows based commands that will check the hard drive itself and repair any bad sectors.
There are also free utilities available from the different hard drive manufacturers that can be downloaded and then run on your computer to check out the hard drive.
Again, this is time invested against what you are charged per hour by a tech or whomever.
Finally, if you don't have a lot of older software, and what you do have CAN be run on Windows 10, then invest in a new computer that you can transfer your backed up data to once the new one is up and running and your software is reinstalled.
You can get a lot of computer for $450!!

Hello,
I would be careful with this "Tech" you're talking about. There are many tests available that will determine if it is a Windows error, a hard drive error, other hardware or even software. There are also Windows Logs to which can be perused to find the error. These tests and logs do take time but after a week, the Tech should KNOW the cause of the BSOD.
The BSOD could be as simple of a problem as a bad Driver. Maybe the wireless card needs to be replaced or even one of the memory sticks is bad. These are easy and often inexpensive repairs.
If it is Windows, then the only good assured fix is to back up all your data and re-install Windows clean. If it's hardware, then it depends on what the hardware is whether or not a fix is viable or too costly. If it's a hard drive failure then a new hard drive would fix the problem and would likely require a fresh install of Windows. Sometimes 'cloning' a drive will bring the error with the new drive.
A SSD would make your system much faster, but if the error isn't found and known then the SSD isn't a fix but money in the pocket of a 'Tech'.
For me, my personal opinion, if your system isn't an i3/i5/i7 of the 4th Gen or newer or the equivalent age in an AMD CPU system then spending $$ for an SSD isn't productive. The older motherboard, CPU and memory would restrict the SSD from being properly utilized.
At some point, the life of every computer comes to an end...some sooner than it should. At that point then we all are subject to back up all the data, buy a new machine (often with a new Operating System), install new programs and Apps (per the O.S. which may cost $$), probably buy a new printer (if there is no software/driver package for the new O.S.) and start over.
Without knowing the cause of the error, then it's hard to know what is the best option. A good Tech can give solid evidence and reports showing the problem so that a intelligent and wise decision can be made.
I hope you accumulate enough knowledge thru the comments of many to help you decide.
Paul
CompTIA Net+ Certified Network Technician / A+ Trained and experienced.

Microsoft told me, after months of problems that my 2011 machine is too old (anything before 2013 is not recommended any longer) for Windows 10, so I downgraded to Win 7. Solved my problems.

You did not say what version of Windows you have, but if it is Windows 10, a drop back to Win 7 may solve your problem. If not, I would recommend not throwing good money after bad and replacing the unit. But save your hard drive.

All "blue screens" have a message why it is displaying. copy it and post it on Microsoft help.,
Most blue screens concern code in the Window operating system. You dont say which OS you have but I would re-install the Win operating system, or upgrade it if possible to Win10. Usually Dell puts a complete backup so you can re-install the system . This is usually located on Drive D. simply open it
and follow the instructions. Also did you try a reset to Windows by going back to a date where you had no problems? Blue screen are not caused by hardware, drives or memory (unless you go over your memory size)but by the OS code.
I would re-install Windows or upgrade it. If you followed directions you should have a complete backup
of your system.

Carmen-
1. Your computer is too old to warrant any part being replaced.
1a. If parts are starting to run erratically, it is only going to get worse and could fail unrecoverably when you can't afford the downtime. You are in current danger (see 6 below.)
2. You can buy a working new computer with year old worthy technology and a few years of life left for less than $400. Depending on where you live and how savvy you are, you may find a worthy reconditioned or reliable used computer for that price as well.
3. It rarely pays to buy top of the line computers today because within 4 months a better processor/hard drive/graphics card/ better or more RAM computer will be available for exactly what you paid. The general public is better off buying technology that is one year old with the capability of accepting upgradied hard drive/graphics card/and RAM.
3a. So, you can buy one year old technology that should last you three to five years and you can speed it up periodically by adding RAM or upgrading the hard drive to solid state.
4. Do not buy a "bargain computer." Those are generally bargains today and useless tomorrow. Generally, the manufacturers skimp on all the critical parts and within a short time you will regret the purchase.
5. A critical issue is the operating system. If you are buying a new (older technology) or used computer make sure it has the operating system you need already installed and warranted by the seller. Don't plan on upgrading to a new Windows version unless you are tech savvy enough to handle the issues in upgrading without help.
6. Chalk up the $95 you spent on analysis to education and buy a year old used or priced as used computer with room to upgrade.
6a. ASAP spend an extra $60 and get an external terabyte drive. While your current computer is working back up all your docs/pics/videos and important files to the external drive. Then, copy those files to the new computer. Then, back up from your new computer to the external drive regularly or get a cloud service, or do both.
7.. Do all of this quickly. If your computer guys couldn't fix your problem there is a good chance that you might SOON encounter an unrecoverable problem and be unable to get to your files. Currently, you are treading on thin ice.
Good luck on your mission.
John