Forum Home
Press F1
 
Thread ID: 108488 2010-03-31 00:08:00 Bios update cost? Paul Ramon (11806) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
871212 2010-03-31 00:08:00 Can anybody here give an idea of the approx cost to do a bios update. I'm only asking because a lady I know has had her PC into a local main street computer shop here (Kaitaia) with intermitant shut down & freezing problems on a machine she purchased from them. After returning the computer many times for repair (being charged extra each time) they now have told her that it was a bios problem (on a M/B they replaced as part of the diagnostic proceedure) and have asked for $150 to update it, mentioning it was half price since she is a previous customer.
Surely the charge is a bit much for a half hour job (max). They have also told her her 1 yr warranty has run out yesterday!
Paul Ramon (11806)
871213 2010-03-31 00:16:00 It would be a MAX of $40 here, more likely $20 - $30. $150 is ludicrous for a standard BIOS update, assuming that is whats happening. Sounds a bit like she's been taken for a ride. :( wratterus (105)
871214 2010-03-31 00:24:00 If it is literally a BIOS update, its a sub-15minute job. $150 sounds more like half-price motherboard replacement.

Also, if the machine has already been in for that same fault prior to the 1yr warranty expiring, I believe you'll find they have to honour the warranty based on the date the issue was FIRST brought to their attention. And, if a BIOS update is required to fix an issue with a machine they sold, then I can't understand why they expect to charge for it.
inphinity (7274)
871215 2010-03-31 00:32:00 Must be a motherboard replacement, a bios problem wouldnt give you shutdown and freezing problems, unless it happens at posting Gobe1 (6290)
871216 2010-03-31 00:36:00 For many shops a motherboard could be $300. Online shops are cheaper. But then again, if you are only after a simple system could be had $100-150 ... Nomad (952)
871217 2010-03-31 00:55:00 Hi Paul,

Could you do the BIOS update? It sounds sus to me and is there any guarantee that the BIOS update WILL solve the problems?
Sweep (90)
871218 2010-03-31 01:06:00 Hi Paul,

Could you do the BIOS update? It sounds sus to me and is there any guarantee that the BIOS update WILL solve the problems?

Perhaps name and shame the store. That sounds like they are taking advantage of the customer. $150 is robbery. However there maybe another side to the story, such as other work they were going to do.
robbyp (2751)
871219 2010-03-31 01:17:00 Eighteen-year-old Scott Laurenson could be the youngest IT managing director in the country. He started Laurenson Technology in Kaitaia in March of last year, after he had been working from home since mid-2007.

Laurenson Technology specialises in service and repair of home and small business computers in the Kaitaia region.

Laurenson says the main competition is the Computer Shop in Kaitaia, the only other computer shop in the town. He claims it specialises more in serving businesses, while Laurenson Technology caters more for the home user.



[Moderator comment: The post above is not advertising. Pctek has copied and pasted information about an IT company in Kaitaia who she is guessing is the company mentioned in this thread - Jen ]
pctek (84)
871220 2010-03-31 01:18:00 There's only a few ways to do it. Its either with floppy, flash drive, thru the update program (loading it), if its an ASUS. Or from within windows. Depending on WHAT it is Speedy Gonzales (78)
871221 2010-03-31 03:02:00 Hi Paul,

Could you do the BIOS update? It sounds sus to me and is there any guarantee that the BIOS update WILL solve the problems?

Yes sweep I could do the update, no problem, or I suggested she take it too Far North Photographics & Digital who seem to be the most competent repairer (via reputation) up here but the job was already done and was still, I thought, a warranty issue. They also say that it resolved the problem but won't let her collect the computer untill payment is made.
I also go along with Gobe1 & don't believe it is a bios problem!
Paul Ramon (11806)
1 2 3 4