Frequently
Asked Questions
How
long do repairs take?
What repairs are covered by my Apple Warranty or AppleCare?
What's the difference between a hardware and a software
problem and why does it matter?
How much does PC Centre charge for estimates?
Can I get an estimate over the phone?
Do I need to make an appointment?
Why is my computer having problems?
Will I lose my data during the repair?
My peripheral device isn't working. Can PC Centre help?
My whole computer network is down. Can PC Centre help?
Can I set up a corporate account to simplify service?
How
long do repairs take?
This varies quite a bit. In general, if we can complete the
repair within an-hour and we have the part in stock.
Otherwise, we usually estimate four to five business days.
What
repairs are covered by my Apple Warranty or
AppleCare?
You can read the full-length warranty agreements on Apple's
website for the one-year hardware warranty and AppleCare.
The basic guideline is that Apple will cover hardware
problems caused by manufacturer defects and normal use.
Apple will not pay for recovering lost data or damage
caused by spills or drops. AppleCare customers have access
to free phone support to cover software problems caused by
the Mac operating system and some Apple programs (call 800
275-2273). However Apple will not pay PC Centre to fix any
software problems, you must use their phone support for
free software support. Any problem caused by non-Apple
software or peripherals will not be covered under Apple
Warranty or AppleCare.
What's
the difference between a hardware and a software problem
and why does it matter?
Software repairs are required when a program, data, or your
operating system is having a problem. These repairs are
usually not covered under warranty and can often be solved
at home. Try calling AppleCare (800 275-2273),
checking
Apple's support
website,
doing a web search on your problem. If the problem is with
a specific application, check the manufacturer's website
for software updates and support. If those resources can't
solve your problem, backup your computer and bring it into
PC Centre.
Hardware repairs may be needed if your machine is having an
electrical, mechanical, or physical problem. If the machine
and its problem are covered by Apple Warranty, an Apple
Repair Extension, or AppleCare, Apple will pay for the
repair. If your problem is not covered by Apple, we will
give you a free estimate for the best solution.
How
much does PC Centre charge for
estimates?
We will do an initial evaluation and give you an estimate
for free. Of course, it is an ESTIMATE. A technician may
need to revise the estimate when they get inside the Mac.
Sometimes the repair turns out to cost less than we
estimated.
Spills and accidental damage are the main reasons for
having to give a revised estimate on a repair. So if we
take apart your portable and find the food, smell the wine,
or see the electrolytic corrosion, we'll have to call you
back and give a new estimate.
Can
I get an estimate over the phone?
Sorry, we need to see the computer in person before we can
offer a free estimate.
Do
I need to make an appointment?
No, you don't need to make an appointment. Please come on
by; we are open five days a week and first and lst
saturdays of every month. We suggest that you come by at
least half-an-hour before our closing time. We do close (or
shorten our hours) on a few holidays, please check our
hours to see if it's a special day. Typically we'll get you
in and out in 30 to 40 minutes. It can take longer on
weekdays between 9AM-11AM and weekends between 9AM-1PM.
Why
is my computer having problems?
Bring it in and we'll give you our best estimate. Sometimes
computers fail for specific reasons, like being dropped or
spilled on. Other times, a delicate part like the hard
drive fails during normal use. Occasionally some computers
have known issues that Apple will cover; even if the normal
warranty period has ended. Check if your computer has an
Apple Repair Extension.
Will
I lose my data during the repair?
If you are unable to backup your computer, PC Centre can
usually do so for an additional charge. Many failures and
repairs don't affect the hard drive or your data. When you
come in for an estimate, we'll let you know if your data is
in jeopardy and how we can back it up or perform a data
recovery prior to the repair.
My
peripheral device isn't working. Can PC Centre
help?
If it's a hard drive that's not working and the data is
important, we recommend that you bring it to us right away.
For printers, scanners, and other external widgets, we'd
urge you to try to solve problems yourself before shlepping
it to us.
The first step is usually to check the manufacturer's
website for software or driver updates. The second step is
to do a Google search on the problem you are having. We
just type into the Google search box things like "Finjet
300 paper jam" or "R3660 problems." The third step is
usually to call the manufacturer. These days most ink-jet
printers aren't repaired when they fail, warranty repair
usually means the manufacturer ships you a refurbished
replacement. And sad to say, once the warranty is over,
it's rarely economical to repair a small printer or
scanner.
Although we can help with connectivity problems, we don't
do hardware repairs on printers, non-Apple monitors, or
scanners. There are some websites full of information, like
www.fixyourownprinter.com but you can spend a lot of time
and money and still end up with something that doesn't
work, so be careful.
My
whole computer network is down. Can PC Centre
help?
Yes, please call our Professional Services group at
061-2891400 to arrange an on-site visit.
Can I set up a corporate account to simplify service?
Yes, please talk to your PC Centre Account Manager, call us
at 061 2891400, or email
sales@mac.com.na