Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
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Listen to the podcast: Repair or
Replace. 
Transcript
This is Leo Notenboom for askleo.info.
Earlier this week I joked in an article that I knew of at least a couple of people that had solved their software problem - a fairly complex virus and spyware infestation - by simply replacing the computer. Even a worst case reformat and reinstall of Windows could have solved the problem, of course, but a lack of understanding and declining cost of new computers (and perhaps an over eager salesman) could actually make this seem appealing.
We've dealt with this issue in other areas of life. Many products have become disposable commodities. You don't fix a toaster, for example, you throw it away and buy a new one.
Computers have been there as well, though in a different way. While toaster technology is relatively mature and stationary, computers are getting faster and more capable every year. Repairing an older computer, without even factoring in the cost of the repair, is often much less attractive than simply purchasing a new one.
With the cost of computers coming down, low end machines that are quite sufficient for many average users are getting close to that "disposable commodity" status. Depending on they type of failure unless you're a do-it-yourselfer, the cost of parts plus the cost of the expertise to perform the work can often quickly exceed the cost of just junking it and getting a new one.
Perhaps even more surprisingly is that it doesn't always have to be hardware that pushes someone over the edge. I'm in no way advocating solving software problems by replacing your hardware, but I can certainly understand the frustration that might lead to it.
If you have serious software problem, finding competent and more importantly affordable assistance - assistance that can actually properly diagnose and repair any issues you might be having - is incredibly difficult. Today's systems all pretty much assume that the purchaser can perform some fairly serious maintenance.
For example folks rarely actually have to install operating systems any more; most machines come pre-configured. Until you have a serious problem and the customer service person on the phone tells you that the best solution is to reinstall. That may be trivial for some, but it's extremely daunting for many, and an investment of time for anyone.
The problem isn't there should be more locally accessible computer repair facilities, though there should be, the problem is that even if there were, the cost of paying a technician to do this work for you correctly compared to replacement cost is approaching that point where "oh, just junk it and start over" might not sound as far fetched.
It's a complex situation for the average user, and I don't have a clear answer.
Do you?
I'd love to hear what you think. Visit askleo.info and enter 11389 in the go to article number box to access the show notes and to leave me a comment. While you're there, browse over 1,100 technical questions and answers on the site.
Till next time, I'm Leo Notenboom, for askleo.info.
Article C2995 - April 14, 2007
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
unfortunately, "obsolete" covers pretty much any computer more than a year old or so, if that...
Lelani
Posted by: dunstergirl at April 21, 2007 11:30 PMJust went through the reformat and total rebuild on a PC that my son had been using for about 4 years. You can imagine the rubbish that had been downloaded. Did a full copy of the PC to an external hard disk and, most importantly, downloaded and ran a free piece of software called Belarc Advisor before I started. It lists out all the installed software and serial numbers. Lots of useful information to help you remember what you had installed as well as configuration information. I was able to come up with an inventory of what I wanted to reinstall which was about half of what was installed when I started. It should be a must for every rebuild.
Thanks again Leo for the most useful piece of email I receive every week.
Posted by: Neville at April 22, 2007 3:40 PMInteresting article. I do offer a "loaner" desktop, fully loaded with typical customer needed software, but very few of my customers take me up on my free offer. My business has also shown hard drive files and conflicts create most problems, and failed power supplies to be the main hardware failure item.
Posted by: Zion at June 3, 2008 9:13 AMI have two main computers and rely on both. I spent weeks researching why the mouse on my older Windows XP Pro one wouldn't work (including buying new mice - wireless, serial port, USB etc.), changing ports, checking for viruses and spy ware etc. etc. etc.) HP wanted $339 plus postage both ways just to look at it and maybe replacing the motherboard. I bought that upgraded refurbished HP in 2005 for $500 and it always was great until the mouse died. I ended up buying a new bare CPU with 8 RAM and 1TB hard drive with Windows 7 Home Premium for very little more than what HP wanted. I used all free or recycled software, and recycled the monitor, speakers, webcam, TV tuner etc. from the old PC. I am able to access the contents of the old HP through our home network. In this case, I think it was the best solution. I have a NAS hard drive set up to do automatic backups and have excellent anti-virus, anti-spy ware systems set up. I will be 80 on my next birthday and actually have nine computers that I have running (and on our network) including a Jornada 680. Keeps me out of mischief. I love your articles. Thanks, OldGrayMary
Posted by: Mary Wilkerson at January 26, 2010 6:41 PMI just want to recommend a great source of recycled computers -- anyone wanting a computer for home use, "recreational computing" so to speak, why not buy a slightly behind the leading edge machine? I am using a Windows XP machine which I bought new about five years ago, but when my wife decided she wanted a computer I got her a better XP than mine for eighty bucks! The source: Goodwill Industries. A partnership between Dell and Goodwill called ReConnect is recycling dontated computers and doing a good job. The machines are tested and come with a one-week money back guarantee, freshly installed Windows XP sp3 on a cleanly wiped hard drive and documentation outlining the specs (cpu, motherboard, drives, RAM, etc.) The Windows XP is licensed to the buyer. Two side benefits -- recycled computers are not polluting the planet in a dump somewhere, and the people who recycle them for Goodwill are being rehabilitated from desperation to mainstream employability. Good for them, good for the environment, and good for the buyer.
Posted by: Digital Artist at November 23, 2010 6:19 PM