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Computer Tools
updated: Jan 03, 2013, 2:50 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

Does anyone in Santa Barbara fix their own computers? I'm starting to think it's might be best to drop my computer off and cut a check for $300 and just be done with it!

Sorry if I sound grumpy but it's been a bit frustrating for me. I went around town last night in both Goleta and Santa Barbara trying to find a tool kit filled with 6-20 pieces that will fit the screws and other things in my laptop.

I stopped by Home Depot, K-Mart, Staples, Best Buy, Costco, Sears, Office Max and have come up empty handed. Either the stores don't carry this or were possibly sold out. Not every customer service rep seemed to be knowledgeable about whether their stores would even carry such a kit.

I'd really rather not go all the way down to Fry's in Oxnard but is that my best option if I want it yesterday?

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 359784	2013-01-03 02:57 PM
I was in MarVac yesterday, and KC was so very helpful!!! I could not believe that when we could not find the proper cord/plug for my machine, he took my plug apart, filed out all the corrosion and rust, and re-soldered it back together. Another employee walked up to me, after it was taking a while, and offered me a soda. WOW... customer service! KC can help you there, and he also fixes electronics himself too, so if you cant do it, he can! They have a large assortment of tools as well as parts for computers and all things electrical! I will definitely be back to spend some more money there! BTW, they have moved from the front of the Magnolia Center to the back, near the Subway Sandwich.... 5148 Hollister Avenue Santa Barbara, CA 93111 (805) 681-2524 ***** Stars for KC and the other employees who were so helpful!
COMMENT 359785	2013-01-03 02:58 PM
Have been repairing computers for years... If you need something other than a regular philips head screwdriver then it likely isn't something you can service yourself.
COMMENT 359788	2013-01-03 03:12 PM
Marvac has a great selection of specialty electronics tools And theres always breech or amazon I have assembled and maintained my pc(s) personally since the age of 12 - so about 20yrs now and I'd say "save that 300$!"
COMMENT 359790	2013-01-03 03:15 PM
Thank you 784! I didn't know they moved. Will definitely stop by. 785: I can't even get into my laptop with just a regular philips head screwdriver. What I'm doing is nothing major, just gotta get in, pop out a couple dead or dying parts and put in a new one.
COMMENT 359792P	2013-01-03 03:17 PM
ROTFLMAO!!! Thanks I needed a good laugh! This from a guy who barely knows how to turn it on and off!
COMMENT 359796	2013-01-03 03:23 PM
Repairing computers is nothing like repairing laptops. Most computer chassis's are easily opened and the components are readily accessed and replaced, whereas laptops at most provide access to replaceable memory and hard drive. Here's a hint for getting a better response: be specific: what repair are you trying to do, exactly?
CAPTAIN HALEY	2013-01-03 03:25 PM
Try Radio Shack for a set of little screwdrivers and nut drivers.
COMMENT 359799	2013-01-03 03:26 PM
You can order tool kits online and have them delivered right to your home or office. All the colors of the rainbow. If Marvac doesn't work out, give the internet a try. I know it's great to shop local and all but sometimes it's not worth the hassle.
COMMENT 359801	2013-01-03 03:27 PM
No reason not too provided you have time. The internet can walk you through just about everything, and has made it quite easy too. not for everyone, but if you are computer savy I say go for it and save the money for a fun date or activity
COMMENT 359807	2013-01-03 03:34 PM
Adult ed has a class on computer maintenance.
COMMENT 359808	2013-01-03 03:41 PM
9807... very true but OP wants this done like yesterday.
COMMENT 359810	2013-01-03 03:47 PM
I go down to the Apple Store and one of the "geniuses" are always helpful.
COMMENT 359814	2013-01-03 03:50 PM
Google Apple Genius Bar or read Gawker's recent article on Apple employees to see about a zillion examples of why not to ever, EVER take your computer to the genius bar. Unless you want your privacy violated, your pictures downloaded or your computer tossed across the floor and thrown up against a wall. (No, seriously, google it people so you can know what's going on out in the real world.)
COMMENT 359816	2013-01-03 03:53 PM
Yes, because every single Genius in every single Genius Bar in every single Apple Store in the entire world does that to every single person who brings their hardware in for repair every single time. Come on, get a grip. One bad apple does not make a bad bushel.
COMMENT 359845	2013-01-03 04:40 PM
actually 816, i read the same stuff and it seemed like a system-wide issue rather than an isolated thing. it made me think differently about my privacy and bringing my laptop into apple stores. i would encourage you to educate yourself about this as an issue rather than dismiss someone's comment. it's very possible that it's not happening at our local store, but it's worth thinking about for sure.
COMMENT 359859P	2013-01-03 05:02 PM
The two guys at TEK Computer and Printer Repair are honest and reliable. They are at 590 E Gutierrez Suite F, Santa Barbara, California. The phone number is 963-4599. You can reach them by email at fixitright@tekcomputers.net. No, I do not work for them nor am I associated with them. But -- I have had them do some work for me and they were extremely honest and reasonable. They might even be able to tell you where to get the tool kit you want.
COMMENT 359865P	2013-01-03 05:15 PM
I ordered a repair manual for my HP laptop on eBay (PDF file). I looked up the tools that I needed for the repairs and found everything at MarVac. I ordered the parts, including an assortment of screws for that laptop model, on eBay. I needed a magnifying glass and a strong light for part of the work, but it was very easy over all. I just followed the steps in the manual. (I also found a useful video on YouTube.) Smaller fingers would have helped! I replaced the screen, the antenna, the hinges, the bezels, and the keyboard. It took me one afternoon. I'm about to replace the hard drive.
REXOFSB	2013-01-03 05:51 PM
I second TEK Computer. They're very knowledgeable, very thorough, quite reasonably priced, and they stand behind their work, even when something went out on my Sony Vaio laptop that wasn't related to the original problem. Super-nice people.
COMMENT 359901P	2013-01-03 06:59 PM
To OP - here are some answers for you One of the best sites for both tools and fixing your own computer is ifixit.com - just search for your computer and you may find both the exact tools you need and even a step by step instruction to do your repair. You can also find PC tools by searching on monoprice.com For Mac you can find them on http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/accessories/Tool_Sets All these sites offer next day delivery. I suggest you first check what details you can find for your computer on ifixit.com Ignore people that tell you can't fix things in your computer or laptop - most with average intelligence, time and patience can fix many things. Just stay away from repairs that involve sealed or glued components as they are challenging to put back together for novices. Keep screws organized by placing on double stick tape or ice trays. Regarding computer security and dropping off a computer for repair: I've been in tech for 20 yrs and know several people who have worked at the chain stores doing repairs. I can tell you with certainty that it is very very common for people to copy your drives and go through it in detail on their off time. Also, I know people that the first thing they do is look for bank information and "private" pictures before doing any repairs. Do not mistake a person being polite and professional and assume these things don't go on. They do. I suggest you never leave your hard drive in your computer if you ever take it to a repair shop. Learn how to remove it and let them put a temporary one in if they need to. Also remember that deleting files on your computer does not actually remove them permanently. It is very easy to unerase these files in minutes. You need to use something like DBAN (google it) for PC drives or a 7-pass Zero Out Data in Disk Utility for Mac to actually remove private data. Remember, just because you may not "have anything to hide" doesn't mean a person won't invade your privacy or ruin your credit by using your information.... [ more ]
COMMENT 359906P	2013-01-03 07:21 PM
Another vote for the Apple Genius service here in Santa Barbara. They are the best.
COMMENT 359907P	2013-01-03 07:21 PM
Simple key to all this - buy a Mac!
COMMENT 359912	2013-01-03 07:33 PM
Buy a mac is not good advice. Unless you just use itunes and play angry birds go a head and get a mac. For the rest of us that work a windows based pc cant be beat.
COMMENT 359925	2013-01-03 08:14 PM
I wonder why people downgrade the Mac without knowing what it is like to own and work with one of these fabulous tools? I do not use ITunes and what in the world is "angry birds"? My Mac in invaluable to my research and writing and joined at the hip with my HP printer, together they effortlessly crank out tons of material for me every day.
COMMENT 359932	2013-01-03 08:32 PM
796 has it right. PCs and laptops are different beasts to repair. If you intend to do your own laptop repairs Lenovos are the best to buy.
COMMENT 359965P	2013-01-04 04:02 AM
901P I wish you'd type out the rest of your great and informative comment. Edhat has something glitchy going on, where the "see more" translates to "The End."
COMMENT 360033	2013-01-04 09:43 AM
OP here - thank you to everyone who has offered some really great advice. I know the 3 things I need but thought that a kit would be a better purchase since it'd have 90% of what I could ever need for future tinkering and upgrading. iFixit is indeed awesome. I've used them before for fixing a phone. I was hoping to purchase something akin to their 54 Bit Driver Kit. Just wanted to be able to pick it up after work and take it home. I'm in a bit of a time crunch because I procrastinated. Thank you again to everyone who responded!
COMMENT 360108	2013-01-04 12:44 PM
@ 359901P DBAN and 7-pass are not at all necessary ... any utility that zeros files once is sufficient (it's unlikely that even the NSA can recover such files). What isn't sufficient is simply deleting the file, which just puts the data blocks on the free list but doesn't clear them until they are allocated to another file.

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