Any suggestions on a place to take my Computer in Hagerstown area. Have a Gateway laptop that is about 1 year old. The computer continues to freeze up, the screen just freezes and have to manually turn off and back on. Will work in Safe mode. Geek Squad had the computer for 2 1/2 weeks and replaced memory stick. They stated that it has passed all hardware test. They recommended OS restore/repair. They told me to take it home and put the Gateway Recovery Drivers and Apps disk in and follow directions. This does not seem to work. I called Geeksquad back and they said to bring it in and they can do it for $125.00. I am so pissed off at that organization I am thinking about not ever going to Best Buy again because of Geeksquad.
Where is City Park Dad when you need him???????????
Thanks
Full Version: Laptop Help
Herald-Mail Forums > Community Corner > Getting a little help from my friends > Computer/Technology Corner
Hmm, well I've never used Geek Squad or Firedog so I don't know how reliable they are; I usually fix my own stuff. If you want me to take a look at it, send me a PM.
Since the screen is freezing but it works in safe mode, it sounds like it could be a driver issue but I would think that Geek Squad would've checked this. I could see why they would think it might be a memory problem, but if its still doing it, obviously that's not the problem. Have you tried updating all of your drivers? I don't own a Gateway, but maybe they have a utility that scans your system for updated drivers. If that doesn't work, go here (http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/referrer/srtest) and just choose a game. If you have hardware with outdated drivers, it should tell you and give you a link to the hardware manufacturer to update. Just seems like this could be the culprit since I've had video and sound cards with outdated drivers lock up my system.
If none of that works, you could call Innovative (www.innovativeinc.net), they're in South Pointe. Ask for Jason Rappaport, he's the owner and a friend of mine.
OH, if you want to talk to CPD, you can get him on AOL IM. I'll PM you his username.
Since the screen is freezing but it works in safe mode, it sounds like it could be a driver issue but I would think that Geek Squad would've checked this. I could see why they would think it might be a memory problem, but if its still doing it, obviously that's not the problem. Have you tried updating all of your drivers? I don't own a Gateway, but maybe they have a utility that scans your system for updated drivers. If that doesn't work, go here (http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/referrer/srtest) and just choose a game. If you have hardware with outdated drivers, it should tell you and give you a link to the hardware manufacturer to update. Just seems like this could be the culprit since I've had video and sound cards with outdated drivers lock up my system.
If none of that works, you could call Innovative (www.innovativeinc.net), they're in South Pointe. Ask for Jason Rappaport, he's the owner and a friend of mine.
OH, if you want to talk to CPD, you can get him on AOL IM. I'll PM you his username.
How long has it been doing this? What changed when you started noticing the problem? Software added, windows updates added, drivers updated?
If you Reinstall windows use the method which puts the computer back to the day you bought it not a restore that leaves your data and programs intact or you will just probably be wasting your time.
If you Reinstall windows use the method which puts the computer back to the day you bought it not a restore that leaves your data and programs intact or you will just probably be wasting your time.
QUOTE (hagopinion @ Apr 16 2008, 08:40 AM) 
Any suggestions on a place to take my Computer in Hagerstown area. Have a Gateway laptop that is about 1 year old. The computer continues to freeze up, the screen just freezes and have to manually turn off and back on. Will work in Safe mode. Geek Squad had the computer for 2 1/2 weeks and replaced memory stick. They stated that it has passed all hardware test. They recommended OS restore/repair. They told me to take it home and put the Gateway Recovery Drivers and Apps disk in and follow directions. This does not seem to work. I called Geeksquad back and they said to bring it in and they can do it for $125.00. I am so pissed off at that organization I am thinking about not ever going to Best Buy again because of Geeksquad.
Where is City Park Dad when you need him???????????
Thanks
Where is City Park Dad when you need him???????????
Thanks
Hag
Saturday at the Valley Mall Campus of HCC they are have the Computer CPR clinic. It is put on by the computer club at HCC. They work for a donation and they are supervised by A+ certified instructors. The time is 9-2 and they should do a good job for you. They have done alot of these clinics over the years. The money goes for industry certification practice exams.
Tony
I wanted to thank everyone for their advice. I also want to thank everyone that offered to take a look at the computer. I was able to give it to that IT guys at work and they fixed it right up.
I would highly recommend no one ever using Geek Squad unless you have large amounts of money you want to throw away.
I would highly recommend no one ever using Geek Squad unless you have large amounts of money you want to throw away.
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