Is $200 an okay price for a place to put in a new harddrive?

[SBTlauien]

My laptop suddenly showed a blue screen out of nowhere. I took it to a PC repair place(because I don't know shit about PCs) and they did a diagnostic that cost me $39. They said it needs a new hard drive, and that it'll cost $229 for the hard drive and for them to install it. It would be a 500 gb hard drive. He also said that the $39 diagnostic will be waived if they install the hard drive.

I paid the $39 and told them I may come back. They said they'll credit me the $39 if I choose to have them install the hard drive.

Does $229 sound like a fair price for a 500 gb hard drive and the installation of it on a laptop?

[moron]

do you have any mechanical skills whatsoever?

[RadicalApex]

No it's not a bad price if you can't do it yourself. If you knew how to do it you'd probably save around $100.

Edit:It's probably what I'd charge to fix something similar.

[Ph0x]

My fucking god unscrew the access panel, slide it out a little, unplug the power and connecter. Repeat in reverse. Install linux or bootleg windows.

DONE.

[cronic5]

No, FUCK THAT. Do NOT take it to any place if THAT is the price they want to charge for just a 500GB hard drive.

If you can use a phillips head screwdriver, and plug in two cables, and/or have the capability to take pictures, I am more than happy to walk you through step-by-step on how to install a new hard drive.

I find it insulting that places like this charge so much for something so simple. They prey on people who have little knowledge on technology.

[SBTlauien]

I have no way to transfer my pictures without my laptop.

I also have no Windows CD, or any way to install an operating system, without buying one.

I'm assuming I'll lose all my info I had on my laptop.

[cronic5]

Well first off, they said it needed a new hard drive. That doesn't always mean that it really does. But let's assume the hard drive is dead.

Does their service include moving all files from the corrupted/failing hard drive, to the new drive, as well as the installation of a new operating system?

[YoureATowel]

www.newegg.com

Then this:
http://www.amazon.com/Drive-Adapter-.../dp/B001OORMVQ




Rip that fucker out, transfer files, reattach. Done.

[Blux]

This will only be worth it if you have one of those shitty Dell laptops that requires removing the LCD and the motherboard because the HDD is under it...

Such a shitty design... No panel on the bottom to get to the HDD...

[Zok Jr.]

That is a terrible deal.

[duh]

My friend irl did this and I wanted to punch him in the face. It will take you <10 mins to put a new hard drive in yourself, if it even is failing. You'll save 100+ by doing it yourself and you can buy an external hard drive connector to get all your stuff off

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136314

[Ambient]

Laptops are a bit trickier than desktops, but not really for the hard drive. Two hundey is daylight robbery unless yer a blonde trophy wife or something like that.

[LSA King]

NO it's not a good deal. Even if you are a ditz it isn't that hard to unscrew some screws that are all the same size and then put them back together. HDD's in most laptops are a simple as removing the bottom plate and in one of the slots there is the HDD. Snap it out and snap the new one in and put the screws back in. If that is worth $200 then I feel sorry that you're willing to not learn something very easy and save yourself some money.

Of all the things, the HDD is probably the ONLY thing a person who is tech savvy or isn't tech savvy, can change on a laptop with ease, anything else is actually much harder if not impossible.

You can get double that size of 500GB for $229 from Newegg with free shipping and handling (1TB @ $119).

Stop being fucking enablers you fucks. There are a million other things that you could all recommend someone who is a n00b to actually pay for the help. Removing and installing a hard drive is probably the easiest thing anyone can do without requiring much knowledge.

Originally Posted by RadicalApex

Edit:It's probably what I'd charge to fix something similar.

Fuck you jew. That's a rip off, and you know it. If you'd charge $100 to install remove a HDD and install one you're contributing to the shit services like the Geek Squad.

[HLC]

I found videos on youtube that showed how to change the HD on my particular model laptop. In fact, more than one.

The overall labor is like 5 minutes if all the techs do is switch out the hardware.
Usually, it seems such a minimal task still costs like $65 in NJ USA.
If they are then installing an operating system etc, it does take time, and time is money.

[slicknickns]

No, your dumbass is getting ripped off

[cronic5]

The ONLY way this is worth it, is if you want to keep all of your files, and don't want to buy the $10-20 worth of hardware to swap your files, and you don't know how to torrent your operating system of choice.

If that is the case, then this is a pretty good deal because buying Windows 7 alone would run you about the same anyway. I don't know of anyone who's bought any Windows operating system myself, but apparently they are out there, as Microsoft keeps pumping out new versions and updates...Although I always assumed it was just businesses who did that.

[RadicalApex]

Oh by the way if you do attempt to fix this yourself have fun recovering your data without a technician if you had a head crash.

Originally Posted by LSA King

Fuck you jew. That's a rip off, and you know it. If you'd charge $100 to install remove a HDD and install one you're contributing to the shit services like the Geek Squad.

You obviously know nothing about the computer business or in fact any business. Have you ever been to an automotive garage? Or how about ever bought pills at the pharmacy? Automotive labor is more ridiculous than computer labor and pharmaceutical markups are in the 1000%'s Some people just can't fix some things themselves so they end up having to pay somebody and the person you have to pay has to make a living. Quit being so butthurt, services in the world aren't free limp dick. But, I wouldn't expect a child with no real life experience to understand this so it's okay you're forgiven.

Edit: I love how you call me a jew and then bitch about a measly $100, who's the real jew here? Do you not see the irony in your stupidity?

[Irukanji]

I paid $150 for a 500gb laptop hdd(3-4 years ago, Aus prices), and it took me 5 minutes to install. If you know how to plug in the power for your laptop, or even the mouse itself, you are already overqualified to install a HDD. The only precautions are make sure you're grounded to the floor(bare feet touching it will do), and don't touch the green bit. Other than that, HDD's are built like tanks and can handle a few small knocks getting it into the spot.

[LSA King]

Originally Posted by RadicalApex

Oh by the way if you do attempt to fix this yourself have fun recovering your data without a technician if you had a head crash.

Who said it was a head crash? Unless the OP says otherwise there is no need to jump to conclusions. In that case you'd probably be paying a lot more than that anyways so it says otherwise. PC Repair shops usually aren't equipted to handle extensive hard drive failures unless they're fairly large in size or have a solid customer base, again it would cost a lot more because you'd be paying for the time not just the fix of a new drive.

You obviously know nothing about the computer business or in fact any business. Have you ever been to an automotive garage? Or how about ever bought pills at the pharmacy? Automotive labor is more ridiculous than computer labor and pharmaceutical markups are in the 1000%'s Some people just can't fix some things themselves so they end up having to pay somebody and the person you have to pay has to make a living. Quit being so butthurt, services in the world aren't free limp dick. But, I wouldn't expect a child with no real life experience to understand this so it's okay you're forgiven.

Yeah I know nothing about business, I just wouldn't go out of my way to screw people and rather attract a steady customer stream over trying to overcharge my customers for simpleton shit. When did selling a service/product for a modest attractive price become a bad business strategy? I don't even need to go to Business School to know that it's the repeat business and word of mouth that's important. Pharmaceutical markups are a whole other beast, automotive industry is the better comparison and look whats happening there.

People know of the "used car salesman", the overcharges that automotive fixer-uppers charge when accidents happen to milk insurance companies, the markup that goes into buying a new car that costs $5,000 to build, sold for 5 times that and ultimately breaks in 4 years. The auto industry has one of the worst reps, and people appreciate the man hours that go into it, they don't appreciate being taken advantage of just because they are ignorant and it's someone elses specialty.

Tell me how 20 minutes of work justifies $100? That's the max it would take to install a new hard drive. How hard is it to image the drive onto a new one, hell that part can be automated overnight and often is at those places. Until the OP signals a head crash or some other catostrophic incident I'm not going to make any assumptions as we can do that all fucking day.

Edit: I love how you call me a jew and then bitch about a measly $100, who's the real jew here? Do you not see the irony in your stupidity?

Who's the one butt hurt? Guess you don't have a sense of humor, but don't worry I wont fault you for having no sense of humor as mine can be quite dark.

[rustyshackleford420]

What everyone else is saying... unless that includes data restoration or something like that. But it would prob be bullshit anyways. Just put a new drive in and start your music/porn collection over again. Also buy a backup drive for times like this. HDD's are dirt cheap and only getting bigger and cheaper.

[ayingerbrau]

500 GB HDD = $50

Piece of piss to fit a new hard drive. Even with zero knowledge of "computers" you'd be able to figure it out.

[NamelessNom4d]

Holy fuck if that's how much they charge for a simple repair I'm gonna have to start up a repair center of my own!

[NamelessNom4d]

Originally Posted by ayingerbrau

500 GB HDD = $50

Piece of piss to fit a new hard drive. Even with zero knowledge of "computers" you'd be able to figure it out.

This is also unfortunately not true. Some people are so fucking retarded they could not even figure this out and probably break something. It surprised me too but I've seen it

[SBTlauien]

I did guys, and I just got my laptop back. I was however wrong about the price...

It cost $179 - the $39 diagnostic fee, for the harddrive...for a total price(includding the diagnostic fee) of $179.

It includding a 320gb harddrive with a three year warranty, reinstalling Windows Vista, and an attemp(but none of my files) to transfer the old files over.

[SBTlauien]

[jram]

Some people.... Facepalm

[cronic5]

Really, really bad move. MAYBE if they actually moved your files for you, it would almost be worth it. Since they didn't, it should have been the price of the hard drive, and maybe $50 for the work, and that is still really pushing it.

[Define-Security]

If your friend is any good at electronic stores, he could get a hard drive for free and install it himself, or have that computer store install it.

Edit, I didn't even read the thread. But you got ripped dude, those hard drives don't cost much and are easily replaced.

Did you even ask for the old hard drive back?

[STD]

Originally Posted by SBTlauien

I did guys, and I just got my laptop back. I was however wrong about the price...

It cost $179 - the $39 diagnostic fee, for the harddrive...for a total price(includding the diagnostic fee) of $179.

It includding a 320gb harddrive with a three year warranty, reinstalling Windows Vista, and an attemp(but none of my files) to transfer the old files over.

Sorry mate but you got ripped off.

A 1TB internal 2.5" HD can be had for about $150... what speed is yours?

Also, fuck their data recovery. I used to work at a repair shop, their method of "recovery" was to see if the drive would mount on a Mac desktop, if it did, they'd copy files over, if not, it was "dead" and the data was gone forever. I however was a decent person and was able to put in 5 minutes effort and recover most.

[L33tz]

HAHAHAA