The pricing and costs of Dell repair vary depending on the problem you are experiencing, and the factors surrounding it. Oftentimes, it is not feasible to unplug your office computer and drop it off at some remote repair location, waiting a week for it to be returned to you. Sometimes, you can't wait at all.

The slowest and cheapest repair route is direct from Dell. A computer under a year old is still under warranty with Dell, but they will require you to ship the computer back to them. Turnaround time on this can be up to two weeks. If you simply can't wait that long, you can hire a technician to visit you on site, or connect to your computer remotely. The following solutions should point you in the right direction, no matter what your circumstance or price requirements:

1. Before spending any money on Dell computer repair, find out if your system is still under warranty.
2. Use a mobile Dell repair service to get your system back up and running for between $150 and $500.
3. Get your Dell diagnosed remotely for under $50.
   

Action Steps
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Get your Dell repair service for free if you are still under manufacturer warranty

You are eligible for free Dell laptop repairs and Dell computer repairs as long as your system is still within the one year limited warranty. You can check the status by entering in the service tag of your computer on Dell's website. Always start here before shelling out money for Dell repair services.

I recommend: Enter your service tag on the Dell USA website to access your warranty information, as well as any driver downloads and manuals for your computer. You can also chat with Dell Technical Support online, free of charge.

Get Dell laptop repair and desktop repair from a mobile service provider for under $500

If your Dell computer is no longer under warranty, and the free online tech support didn't provide enough information or was unable to solve your problem, you can always get Dell certified repair from a mobile solutions provider. You have to be careful, though. Mobile tech companies generally charge either per solution or hourly. Some problems simply aren't worth the cost of the repair.

I recommend: You can get a system diagnostic for under $200 with either Geeks on Call America or Geek Squad. Geek Squad's prices are around $100 cheaper if you are willing to drop your computer off at the store. Geeks on Call will always come to your place of business. Repairs can run anywhere from around $150 to $500, depending upon the severity of the problem.

Get your Dell computer repairs from a company that offers remote diagnostics and repair

A newer option for Dell computer repair is a remote technician service. A technician will connect your computer remotely and diagnose and solve the problem you are experiencing.

I recommend: iTOK offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If your problem isn't solved, you don't pay. SelfIP Systems have a proprietary remote assistance software that allows them to solve problems on your Dell computers. Both companies will diagnose your problem for under $50.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Always get the tech to quote you a ballpark figure up front, so you can decide if it's cheaper to simply buy a new computer and get your data transferred to it. Almost any issue can be repaired, but are you willing to pay for that repair when you can get a new computer for the same price?

Repairing Dell computers is not something you want to do often, but there are ample resources to make the unpleasant chore as simple as possible. Dell certified repair services offer tried and tested repair that comes with a level of trust that comes with the backing of a company like Dell.

Dell computer repair can be a simple chore or an extensive task. It is important to determine beforehand how severe your computer issue is before settling on a course of action. There are three steps you can take in an attempt to solve your Dell computer issues.

1. Use an online tutorial or troubleshooting service to research your Dell computer repair needs.

2. Utilize a 24-hour telephone Dell repair service to attempt to fix your problem.

3. Contact Dell certified repair services to come to your place of business to repair your computer.

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Perform Dell repair services on your own

Dell computer repairs do not necessarily have to be difficult. Fixing Dell computers may be as simple as an online assessment. Utilizing an online tutorial that can walk you through a variety of common computer problems is an excellent place to begin your repair initiative. There's no need to solicit a possibly expensive repair service if the problem can be corrected for free.

I recommend: For Dell repair information direct from the source, Dell's Online Technical Support may be just what you need to solve your Dell computer repair issues.

Call in your Dell repair information

The next step to solving your Dell repair issues is to contact a 24-hour computer repair service and attempt to correct your problem over the phone. The technician can talk you through simple steps to correct persistent problems, or they can remotely access your workstation and try to determine the problem themselves.

I recommend: Located in New York, ECS offers telephone support on Dell products, including desktops and Latitude, Inspiron and Precision laptops. The Springfield Computer Geeks offer telephone, Internet and on-site Dell repair services.

Find a Dell certified repair technician

If all else fails, you may have to turn over your Dell repair job to an on-site technician. If you can't solve the problem yourself, and telephone support proves insufficient, having a professional technician get his hands on your malfunctioning computer is the best bet. Most repair outfits offer 2-3 day turnaround on repairs, which gets your business computer back in your hands in no time at all.

I recommend: 714 Laptop Repair is based out of California but offers national repair service with a 2-3 day turnaround on Dell laptop repair services. For Dell certified repair, the Brooks-Jeffrey Computer Store can provide warranty repair in your office or at their store location.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you frequently are in search of Dell laptop repair, the Dell Support Center offers a new Proactive Alerting system which, when downloaded, will monitor your system for recurring issues, prepare reports for easier repair work, and automatically fix problems.

Dell computers account for about 30 percent of the worldwide PC market, so naturally Dell repair services are in high demand. For the most part, if you know how to work on desktop or laptop computers in general, you won't have any issues cracking open a Dell. However, there is still Dell-specific knowledge that can be useful to you, particularly if you're looking to get Dell certified.

Select the training for Dell repair that is right for your needs. If you're a computer technician looking to increase your yearly salary, getting your Dell certification is a great investment. If you're just looking to brush up on your general computer repair knowledge so you can work on that one Dell laptop in your office, the free DIY resources are perfect. There are many training options available to you:

1. Get trained and qualified by Dell to offer Dell certified repair services.
2. Learn about fixing Dell computers at a local school that provides computer repair training.
3. Find it how to perform do-it-yourself (DIY) Dell repairs.
   

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Become qualified to offer Dell certified repair services with training straight from Dell

Dell offers comprehensive training through their Dell Certified Systems Expert program (DCSE). This program is geared towards technicians that want to perform Dell certified repairs, particularly those that are employed by a Dell Service Provider. Learn Dell is focused more towards the customer, with training programs for schools, health institutions, the military and corporations.

I recommend: Contact Dell for a customized learning solution, including the Dell Hardware Maintenance Training & Certification (DCSE). Visit Learn Dell for a broad range of course catalogs and training schedules.

Find a school in your area that provides computer repair training, including Dell computer repairs

Any generalized computer repair program will give you the skills you need to perform Dell laptop repair and Dell computer repair. You won't be a Dell certified technician or be entitled to offer 'certified' Dell repair services, but you will be able to repair any computer regardless of brand. If you need training, and not a fancy title, this is the route for you.

I recommend: At Computer Training Schools you can search by zip code for schools that provide computer repair training. The CollegeBound Network allows you to select Computer Repair from a drop-down list, and search for schools by zip code.

Check out these resources on DIY Dell repairs

If you are of a mechanical bent, fixing Dell computers yourself isn't a daunting prospect. Training for Dell repair is easy if you have the right resources available to you.

I recommend: Werner Heuser has a great collection of free instruction, upgrade and repair manuals, as well as disassembly pictures, dismantling videos and tips for repairing Dell laptops on your own. If you're more of a visual learner, you can order PC repair DVDs from Ultimate PC Repair.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Unless you need a DCSE certification for a position you are applying for, or want to use it for leverage in increasing your salary, it's not necessarily the best single certification to set your sights on. Millions of technicians worldwide are repairing Dell computers without the benefit of a Dell-specific certification.

Dell repair key terms can speed up the process by which you go about getting repairs made to your Dell computer or Dell computer part. Self-help is the first item on Dell's repairing menu. Dell manuals, tutorials and checklists for troubleshooting your problem can help you restore your computer to its operating condition. If you are unable to find the problem yourself, Dell has several options for contacting its technicians. If your Dell is still under warranty, you probably will not have to face expensive repairs.

Action Steps
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Dell product manuals

Dell product manuals are the first line of action in correcting a Dell problem. Dell prefers its customers to use self-diagnosis and fix problems themselves as much as possible.

I recommend: You can find Dell product manuals on its website for its computers. These manuals are downloadable and free of charge.

Troubleshooting

Dell's customer service online troubleshooting refers to a method of self-repair by going through a series of questions or checklist to identify the problem and correct it. It is necessary to enter the Dell service tag number on the product requiring repair and the model number of the Dell product you are troubleshooting.

I recommend: Troubleshooting using your service tag number can take you directly to common, repairable problems. You can troubleshoot problems you have with Vista from Dell Windows Vista Center.

Customer self-replaceable parts

Customer self-replaceable parts also known as CSR are Dell parts designed to be easily removable and easily replaceable. There are two kinds of CSR parts--mandatory, when the computer won't run without them and optional, which are product enhancements.

I recommend: Dell's guide to its customer self-replaceable parts explains the two different types of CSRs and the different options for replacement if you're an individual Dell user or a business Dell user.

Dell technical contacts

Dell technical contacts refers to technical support from Dell's technicians via email, online chats or telephone.

I recommend: If you are unable to identify or fix the problem you're having with one of Dell's products, its technical support page can get you to a Dell technician.

Dell warranty information

Dell warranty information is a general term for six different categories defined under warranty information. You can check on the expiration of your warranty, you can find out the limits to a warranty and you can purchase additional service contracts as a means of enhancing your coverage.

I recommend: Dell's warranty information page provides information on current warranties and additional coverage. Additionally, Dell warranty information refers to service contracts for small businesses.

Expired warranty support

Expired warranty support refers to Dell's policy for repairs for computers that are no longer under warranty. After a Dell tech diagnoses the problem, you will be referred to a third party service provider for service on your Dell product.

I recommend: Expired warranty support is a fee-based diagnosis of the Dell product you are having problems with.