Taking a computer in for repairs or upgrades ranks right up there with a root canal. Costs can spiral out of control and the box can get stuck in the shop for days. If you have to take your computer in for upgrades or non-warranty repairs, here's what you should know before your computer goes out the door.
Upgrades aren't really rocket science anymore. Adding RAM, a new 3-D graphics card or even a new hard drive can be done at home or in the office. Each successive version of Windows does a better job of helping you to install what Microsoft calls "plug-and-play" hardware.
In most cases it's as simple as sticking the new hardware in the proper slot, loading software and letting Windows do its thing. Even if the instructions that come with new hardware aren't clear and helpful, you can buy books and magazines that feature upgrade instructions and cost far less than what you would pay to have the work done.
Repairing your own computer presents a separate set of challenges. You'll first have to determine whether the problem involves hardware or software. If your computer develops a problem after you load a new program or the error occurs only when you run certain programs, you've got a software glitch. The same is true for problems that surface after you download or install a new driver. The fix here can be as simple as downloading a patch, fix or new driver. It also can involve using the "recovery" CD-ROM to format your hard drive and reinstall Windows.
