What do I need to do if I have been scammed or hacked?

At Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. I have been reversing the damage done to computers by scammers and making your computer safe once again. It is a common misconception that once the scammer is disconnected from the computer that your data is safe. There are any number of methods scammers use to gain access to your computer. You will always be manipulated into downloading a utility which grants them permission to access your computer remotely.

Once in they install a second utility which gives them access to your computer without your consent. This is usually buried well within the operating system and needs to be sniffed out and removed. 

Since these scams have been happening I’ve been referred by local banks in both Gardner and Greenfield. 

Why won’t my laptop turn on even when plugged in?

Over the past 20+ years I’ve been servicing laptops, I have seen a few common reasons. 

• First, the power adapter may be failing. If you have access to another power adapter for the same laptop, the easiest test is to try it. If you have access to a multimeter you can try testing the power output with it. 
• Second, the DC jack inside the laptop may be damaged. If you find you’re having to manipulate the connection in order for the laptop to power on, then most likely this is the cause. Sometimes the DC jack inside the laptop is soldered in and other times it’s a cable. Over time this issue can compound and may cause other issues if not addressed.
• A very common issue is a fault that seems to be caused from Windows hibernate or sleep failure. Lately I’ve had many computers come into Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. because they can’t “wake up” after being turned off. This repair is fairly straight forward and customers can expect to have their laptop returned the same day.

My computer screen is black but I can hear the fan running?

The easiest checks for a desktop are:

• Check power to the monitor and make sure the data cable is properly connected
• Restart the computer and monitor to assure there isn’t a glitch with the signal to the monitor from the computer.

If these quick tests don’t work there could be something more in-depth wrong with the computer. There could be a bad graphics card or a failed stick of memory or RAM. If you’re uncomfortable making these diagnostics yourself feel free to drop your computer off for a free diagnostic in either the Gardner or Greenfield store.

Do you repair laptop screens?

Yes I have been replacing laptop screens for more than 20 years. I replace screens for both Mac and PC based laptops. At Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. I try and keep some of the more common screens in stock. If they need to be ordered I can usually have the parts in hand within 1-2 days and back in your hands the same day I receive the screen. 

My laptop is running slow. Can you help with that?

A slow laptop or computer can be extremely frustrating. Before you panic, try restarting the computer and see if that makes a difference. If not, the issue could be software or hardware. Software issues may be resolved by removing viruses or fixing other issues like failed updates. 

On occasion a solid state drive or hard drive may be the culprit. Even though solid state drives are much faster and many times more reliable than a hard drive, they do fail. If you have a hard drive in your computer the simplest test is to simply listen to it. If it’s clicking or making loud noises then it’s time to have it serviced. Solid state drives are silent so it may be time to have your computer diagnosed. 

What’s involved in a virus removal?

Even with current virus software and up-to-date browsers and operating systems viruses are still problematic for many people. Some of them can be very difficult to remove while others require no more than turning the computer off and on. Most of the virus removals done at Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. are done with a combination of manual and software removal.

While most shops rely on software solutions, I feel that it’s more thorough to manually evaluate and remove bad viruses and malware prior to using any third party software solutions. A typical virus removal can be performed the same day and the Mac or PC laptop or computer can be returned to the customer the same day.

Can you fix a water or liquid damaged laptop?

Over the past 24 years I’ve been repairing laptops my philosophy has changed regarding liquid damage. I know many of my competitors say they can fix them, but the unfortunate truth is that water and liquid permanently kills most computers. Here’s why: liquid travels quickly throughout the computer, many times finding it’s way to several components of the laptop. 

We could end up replacing the motherboard only to find the laptop has a bad keyboard and memory. Unless the laptop is a very expensive model, it doesn’t take long to exceed the cost of the laptop. 

Most of the time my suggestion is to backup the data and migrate it to a new laptop or computer. In the end the overall cost may be more than the gamble, but you’ll end up with newer technology and the assurance nothing else will fail over time. 

Can laptop keyboards be replaced?

Keyboards are a fairly straight forward and common repair. There are two types of keyboards used today. The most common requires a top case replacement which includes the keyboard, palmrest and trackpad. Many modern laptops use plastic rivets to attach the keyboard assembly to the palmrest plastic. This repair requires transplanting the motherboard, screen and other parts from one to the other. This is extremely common and can usually be done within a day or two after receiving the laptop. 

The industry moved away from the keyboard being a separate component about five years ago. Although there are still some manufacturers that use them on high-end laptops, they have been replaced by the assembly I mentioned above.

Do you replace hard drives?

I have been replacing hard drives since they have been measured in gigabytes; more than 20 years ago. Although the process hasn’t changed much, the sizes certainly have. Even with the advent of solid state, mechanical hard drives are still being used for data storage and on some computers as the primary operating system drive. 

Most of the time customers want their hard drive or solid state drive duplicated to retain the operating system, settings, programs and favorites. This is the preferred option for both the customer and me. On your end  there is nothing to reload and nothing new to learn. On my end it saves me from trying to mimic your old computers settings and software. Duplication is not always possible; however, it’s the best option when available and possible.

My computer or laptop has a blue screen. Can you fix a BSOD?

This isn’t an issue with Apple most of the time. However, PC users can sometimes be plagued by blue screens. They seem to happen at the worst times. 

The number one reason I see them today is due to failed Windows updates. Perhaps the computer was shut down during an update, the update failed or there’s an underlying issue like a failing drive. Most of the time blue screen issues can be fixed and the computer returned to normal functionality.

How long have you been servicing laptops and computers?

My name is Jeromy Patriquin, owner of Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. I’ve been servicing computers and laptops since the late 1980s. As a college student at RIT, I couldn’t afford the hourly rates repair shops were charging at the time, so I taught myself how to do the work myself. That hands-on foundation turned into a career, and 24 years ago I opened my first retail computer repair store. From the beginning, a large part of my business came from making repairs that other shops couldn’t handle. In fact, computer repair shops regularly referred customers to me for jobs they weren’t qualified to take on themselves.

How many stores do you currently have?

Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. currently operates two locations; one in Gardner, MA and one in Greenfield, MA. Before the pandemic, I had as many as five locations across Central and Western Massachusetts and Southern Vermont.

I currently split my time equally between both stores. Even when I’m not physically on-site, I’m reachable seven days a week by cell phone; all store calls forward directly to me no matter where I am. You can reach the Gardner location at (978) 919-8059 and the Greenfield location at (413) 475-3509. Both stores are open three days per week.

What types of repairs can you do?

Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. is the only computer repair business in the region that handles both hardware and software repairs entirely in-house. Nothing is outsourced.

Software repairs include virus removal, operating system installations, virtual machine installation, and operating system cloning. Hardware repairs include laptop screen replacement and repair, motherboard and logic board replacement and repair, solid state drive replacements and upgrades, and graphics card replacement and upgrades.

For 24 years I’ve also been a leader in building custom gaming computers and business workstations which are tailored to the exact needs of each customer.

What sets you apart from other repair shops?

Customers come to Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. when other shops have let them down, most often because those shops couldn’t resolve the original problem. I’m regularly referred to by Best Buy Geek Squad and Staples Tech Services for repairs they can’t handle themselves.

My experience allows me to diagnose and fix issues faster than most in the industry. While other shops are still trying to figure out what’s wrong, I’m typically already well into the repair. That combination of speed, accuracy, and experience is difficult to find anywhere else.

What is one repair you do better than anyone else?

I developed a proprietary process for duplicating an older computer onto a newer one: transferring all data, settings, and installed software exactly as they were. To my knowledge no other laptop or computer repair shop offers this process.

The idea came early in my business when customers made it clear they didn’t want the hassle of starting from scratch on a new machine. My duplication process eliminates that entirely. I performed it extensively during the Windows 10 to Windows 11 transition, and it has saved countless customers the frustration of reinstalling software and recovering lost passwords.

How does your computer duplication process work?

For the duplication to work, both computers need to be running UEFI firmware. If the older machine isn’t on UEFI, I convert it before beginning. Once that’s confirmed, the old system is cloned to the new computer.

After cloning, the new machine will sometimes fail to boot and display an “Unmountable Boot Device” error. Resolving that is the proprietary part of my process and once corrected, the new system is fully updated to Windows 11 and ready to use, with everything intact from the original machine.

What types of devices do you repair?

Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. services both Apple Mac products and Windows PCs.

Apple repairs include MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac Mini. Windows repairs cover laptops and desktops from all major brands, including Alienware, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, Acer, MSI, CyberPowerPC, and iBuyPower.

I’ve been a trusted repair source for all of these brands for more than 20 years.

Why don’t you fix phones and tablets?

Phone and tablet repair is a service I walked away from deliberately. I was once a volume leader in that space, but I stopped because of persistent problems with parts quality. All phone and tablet replacement parts are aftermarket. They’re not the same components the manufacturer designed the device around, and the difference shows over time.

Aftermarket parts often limit device functionality. A replacement iPhone screen, for example, can disable certain phone features and will be flagged as a non-original part by newer Apple devices. That’s not the standard of service I hold myself to.

Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. is built on long-term customer relationships and a trusted reputation and phone repair, as it currently stands, works against both of those things.

Where is your service area?

Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. serves customers across Massachusetts, southern Vermont, and southern New Hampshire from two convenient locations.

Gardner Location: 509 Main St., Gardner, MA serves the following Massachusetts towns:

Southern New Hampshire towns served from the Gardner location:

Greenfield Location: 300 Main St., Greenfield, MA serves Western Massachusetts and the Pioneer Valley:

Windham County, Vermont customers also visit the Greenfield location, including:

Because my repair turnaround times are significantly faster than shops in Amherst and Northampton, many customers from these areas choose to make the drive to my Greenfield location.

How private is your service?

Customer privacy has been the top priority at Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. since the day I opened 24 years ago. Devices brought in for repair contain some of the most sensitive personal information imaginable including tax documents, bank statements, photos, and passwords. The trust customers place in a repair technician is enormous, and I’ve never taken that lightly.

Customers whose repairs involve data handling are welcome to bring their own external storage device. This keeps your data entirely under your own control and creates a clean chain of custody from start to finish. Any data that does pass through my equipment is encrypted with a password and permanently deleted as soon as the repair is complete and you’re satisfied.

Privacy also extends to your personal information. I don’t maintain a customer database. Contact information is handled with pen and paper, and when your device leaves my shop, your paperwork goes with you. I keep no records once your repair is done. Unless you initiate the contact, I will never call or pester you after the sale.

What is your warranty?

The warranty at Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. doesn’t look like anything else in the industry, because it isn’t. I don’t have a rigid written warranty, and I routinely stand behind my repairs well beyond the 30, 60, or 90-day windows most shops offer. In practice, I cover hardware repairs for six months or more in many cases. Because I use quality parts and my repair process exceeds industry standards.

For software repairs like virus removal, I can’t guarantee what you encounter online after your computer leaves my shop. But if you pick up a virus within a couple of weeks of a software repair, I’ll redo the job at little to no cost.

The short version: I back my work, and I’ll always do right by my customers.