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Prime Buyers Guide Computer Services, Computer Repair, & Computer Consultants

How to Find the Best Computer Repair Services and Computer Consultants in Alameda County CA

The best Alameda County computer repair technicians and computer consultants know the ins and outs of computer repair and IT services. When your PC or laptop computer breaks, these computer services in Hayward, Oakland, Dublin and Fremont can fix nearly all computer problems. The following articles will help you find good Alameda County computer repair businesses and IT consultants, and get your PC or Mac back up and running.

Updated November 17, 2009

Top 10 Computer Services, Computer Repair, & Computer Consultants in Alameda County

Advance Technology 2000
(510) 526-8878
1029 San Pablo Ave
Albany, CA 94706

Areas Served: Berkeley, Oakland CA, Dublin CA, Hayward, Fremont, Newark CA, Pleasanton CA, Emeryville

Ammari Electronics
(510) 527-4005
1172 San Pablo Ave # 103
Albany, CA 94706

Areas Served: Hayward, Oakland CA, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Emeryville, Dublin CA, Union City CA

Anywhere PC Repair
(510) 843-1537
931 Ashby Ave # C
Berkeley, CA 94710

Areas Served: Oakland CA, Berkeley, Fremont, Newark CA, Livermore, Dublin CA, Hayward, San Lorenzo

My Computer Guy
(510) 524-9221
1501 Eastshore Hwy
Berkeley, CA 94710

Areas Served: Berkeley, Hayward, Oakland CA, Dublin CA, Fremont, Emeryville, Newark CA, Piedmont

P C Professional Inc
(510) 465-5700
1615 Webster St
Oakland, CA 94612

Areas Served: Alameda, Oakland CA, Hayward, Fremont, Dublin CA, Pleasanton CA, San Leandro, Livermore

An Up Grade
(510) 625-8055
867 Isabella St
Oakland, CA 94607

Areas Served: Alameda, Berkeley, Oakland CA, Dublin CA, Fremont, Hayward, Newark CA, Livermore

Eon Technologies Inc
(510) 523-3832
1226 Lincoln Ave
Alameda, CA 94501

Areas Served: Oakland CA, Newark CA, Berkeley, Hayward, Emeryville, Dublin CA, Pleasanton CA

Remote Computer Repair Service
(510) 769-7277
1321 Webster Street, ste. #119
Alameda, CA 94501

Areas Served: Hayward, Oakland CA, Pleasanton CA, Berkeley, Dublin CA, Union City CA, Sunol, Livermore

Updated November 18, 2008

How to Find the Best Computer Repair Services and Computer Consultants in Alameda County CA 

From computer network security to wireless networking, we rely heavily on our computers at home and work. So when you're having trouble with computer network configuration, computer back up systems or slow computer networks, it's important to find qualified IT consultants and computer services in Alameda County.

Fortunately, there are many computer repair specialists, computer consultants and IT services skilled at diagnosing computer network configurations, fixing slow computer networks and providing computer security. With extensive knowledge of most common computer systems, including computer network services and computer support, computer repair services can quickly restore the functionality of that belligerent box and make you love it again.

Smart computer users take a proactive approach to computer security. The best IT providers in Alameda County offer custom computer security systems, computer backup & disaster recovery, anti-virus protection, anti-virus programs & anti-spyware programs to make your home computer or wireless networking systems safer. Additional IT services might include computer backup recovery and anti-virus protection or similar computer security systems for computer network systems for remote telecommuting and other wireless networking solutions. Some of the best computer consultants even offer employee computer training.

What to look for in computer consultants or computer repair services in Alameda County? For starters, ones willing to diagnose your exact problem before proposing a solution. Paul Hermann, owner of Five Star Networking, Inc. explains, "The computer repair technicians should be willing to test your computer or look at your equipment before they tell you what you need or how much it will cost. Many technicians are in a hurry and don't take time to talk to their clients. You should be able to ask them what's wrong, why you need the repair they're suggesting and how long it will take and good computer techs will tell you the answers."

From PC computer repair to laptop repair, here's a sample of what good IT consultants and computer repair services in Hayward, Oakland, Dublin and Fremont can do for you.

Alameda County Computer Repair Services and IT Consultants Perform Numerous Services
Computer repairmen and IT services throughout Alameda County provide their services for all levels of PC or Mac complications, from simple software upgrades or hardware installation to total system reconditioning. And these IT consultants offer a number of computer services that include computer security, wireless networking solutions and help for slow computer networks. Most computer consultants also provide anti-virus protection such as anti-virus programs and anti-spyware programs. Many Oakland area computer consultants and computer repair businesses have same day service, pick-up and delivery, phone support, house calls or free computer diagnosis and consultation.

Most computer repair businesses are even willing to teach clients about the basics of their home computer systems, and some even offer employee computer training. If you'd rather leave the computer repair services and security upgrades in their hands, good Alameda County computer repair services can perform general computer repairs and upgrades such as data and password recovery, spyware and virus removal, database and Web site design, printer repairs, and DSL installations. Computer service technicians and IT providers can also configure LAN, WAN, cable, VPN, and customized wireless networks for any business or residence laptop computers or desktop computers.

The best IT consultants and computer repair techs in Alameda County have received specialized training in specific applications or platforms. There are computer service and repair companies in Alameda County that hold HP certification, Novell certification, Linux certification, Microsoft certification and Xerox certification, as well as many other system authorizations. This advanced training enables these IT providers and computer services to offer consultation and remediation for more complex computer issues. They're certified as broadband experts, Microsoft Small Business Server experts, crash and virus specialists and color laser specialists.

Because of the differences between Macs and PCs, some computer repair technicians or IT service providers may limit themselves to one operating system. Mac specialists install or maintain iAPPS and airtunes, or fluently work with the OS software suite. PC specialists provide different applicable tech support and training on the PC platform and Windows operating system. However Mac and PC computer consultants in Alameda County provide laptop computer repair and PC computer repair within their operating system specialty.

Alameda County Computer Repair Technicians and Computer Services Supply Necessary Parts and Materials
Computer repair services in Hayward, Oakland, Dublin and Fremont can usually provide the components necessary for needed upgrades or maintenance, and some computer consultants sell them directly to the customer. Even for off-site visits, computer techs keep a toolbox full of semiconductors, connectors, spare power supplies, disc drives, routers, graphics cards, replacements fans, memory, and hard drives. These parts may be new or used, and are often refurbished by computer repair company staff.

There are Many Computer Repair Businesses and Computer Consulting Firms in Alameda County
Computer repair services are in high demand. From simple program upgrades to crash restorations, they can do everything you wish you could. When your computer needs hardware repair or software repair, call one of the respected computer consulting businesses we've listed. The Prime Buyer's Report lists these computer consultants and computer repair services in Alameda County: Advance Technology 2000, Ammari Electronics, Anywhere PC Repair, My Computer Guy, P C Professional Inc, An Up Grade, Eon Technologies Inc, Remote Computer Repair Service. Other computer repair services and IT consulting firms that might still serve Alameda County include: Technical Wizardry, MDL Information Systems Inc. Didn't find what you wanted with the TOP 10 Computer Services, Computer Repair, & Computer Consultants in Alameda County? Then click here to see additional companies in this category.

Verify Qualifications for Alameda County Computer Services and IT Consultants
It takes extensive training to be proficient in computer science, both on the job and through regimented courses. You can guarantee a prospective computer repair technician or IT provider is capable enough to remedy your problem by verifying training and the subsequent certifications. Organizations associated with the IT services field can give you this information, as well as some helpful technical advice.

In addition to important certifications, you should learn about a computer consulting business' standing in the local professional climate. Positive mention in nationally accessible publications is a major sign of a hard-earned excellent reputation. While you're surfing, it can only be of value to brush up on (or introduce yourself to) basic computer skills, including anti-virus protection measures and computer security issues. For a list of resources that have been gathered for these express purposes, read The Prime Buyer's Report article, "Key Resources for Computer Repair in Alameda County."

Updated November 17, 2009
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How to Choose Computer Repair Services & Computer Consultants in Alameda County 

Step 1: Describe Work to the Computer Repair Services and IT Consultants
Explain the symptoms and what led up to them. Be sure to elaborate on every attempt you've made to fix the problem yourself; there's always the chance you made it worse. For this phase of the interviews, it may be best to bring the broken computer into the store for free consultation (if that's an option). The diagnosis will not necessarily be shared by each computer repair shop, so try to get a few opinions before deciding on the right computer consultants and IT services for you.

Step 2: Answer Questions & Take Notes While Talking with Alameda County IT Services
After hearing your problem, computer technicians and IT consultants should have some questions about the circumstances surrounding the failure. A fast diagnosis isn't usually in order, so the computer repair consultants should question you in depth. If not, either the free computer repair consultation was a scam, or (if you made a simple phone call), the computer maintenance technician may not understand the problem. Either way, you're looking for integrity and proficiency when it comes to computer help.

Step 3: Ask Questions of the Computer Consultants & Take Notes
With each free computer repair consultation (or phone interview, if there is a charge for diagnosis), glean some information about the business and offered services. Take notes for future reference. You can use the list below to get started.

• How long have the computer repair services been in business?

• Do the computer consultants have any factory authorizations?

• Have the computer maintenance repair services seen this problem before?

• What certifications do the computer repair technicians hold?

• Are the computer support services familiar with all operating systems (Windows, Mac, Linux, etc.)

• Do the IT consultants specialize in laptop computer repair or PC computer repair or both?

• Do the IT providers offer free consultations for computer hardware or computer software diagnosis?

• How do the computer consultants determine computer repair prices?

• Will the computer repair services provide written estimates for the computer repair?

• Will the computer consultants provide a written contract?

• Do the laptop computer repair companies or PC repair services offer pick-up and delivery?

• Is there an additional charge for replacement parts if the computer repairs require hardware replacement?

• Can the computer repair technicians fabricate replacement components?

• Will you lose any data during the computer service?

• Can the computer consultants recover lost or damaged files? Can they install computer backup systems or computer backup & disaster recovery software?

• Do the Alameda County IT services make house calls?

• Do the computer support services offer loaners for extended repairs?

• How long should the computer repairs take?

• Will the computer consultants provide computer networking help such as computer network configuration, diagnosing computer network configurations, computer network security or wireless networking?

• Will the IT consultants offer employee computer training or computer network configuration for your office?

• Do the IT providers offer computer security such as anti-virus protection, anti-spyware programs or anti-virus programs?

• Do the computer services offer a warranty on computer maintenance or repairs?

Step 4: Final Research on Alameda County Computer Repair Services

When you find computer technicians or computer consulting services that match your criteria, ask about extra background qualifications. After rigorous training programs, many IT technicians will earn various certifications, such as program and operating system certifications from CompTIA, MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer), CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate), or CNE (Certified Novell Engineer). Such certifications will enhance your computer repair provider's ability to offer authorized repair and care for your slow computer or other computer problems.

Step 5: Hire a Alameda County Computer Repair Technician
Now that you feel comfortable entrusting your computer to the computer solutions technician of your choice, go ahead and make an appointment (or arrange for a pick-up, depending on the services offered by the business). Get all proposed work, pricing, and a timing projection in writing.

Updated February 6, 2009
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Key Resources For Computer Repair Services & Computer Consultants in Alameda County 

Associations & Licensing for Alameda County Computer Repair Services
ACM Association for Computing Machinery (http://www.acm.org/)
ASCDI Association of Service and Computer Dealers International (http://www.ascdi.com/)
BBB Online Better Business Bureau Online (http://www.bbbonline.org/)
CCIA Computer and Communications Industry Association (http://www.ccianet.org/)
CEA Consumer Electronics Organization (http://www.ce.org/)
CompTIA Computing Technology Industry Association (http://www.comptia.org/)
DCA California Department of Consumer Affairs (www.dca.ca.gov)
Diamond Certified (http://www.diamondcertified.org/)
IACIS International Association for Computer Information Systems (http://www.iacis.org/)
ICCA Independent Computer Consultants Association (http://www.icca.org/)
NEDA National Electronic Distributors Association (http://www.nedassoc.org/)
PCCA Portable Computer and Communications Association (http://www.pcca.org/)
SHDA Security Hardware Distributors Association (http://www.shda.org/)
SIIA Software Information Industry Association (http://www.siia.net/)

Media & Web Publications for Computer Repair Consultants
PC Advisor Magazine
Card Technology
Computer Power User
Computer Edge
Computer Retail Week
Computer Shopper
Computerworld
Infostor
Infoworld
Smart Computing

http://www.computerhope.com/
http://www.computerproblems.com/
http://www.computeruser.com/
http://www.cybertechhelp.com/

The Prime Buyer's Report provides information for the top 10 computer technicians and computer repair services in Alameda County within the following zip codes:

94501, 94502, 94536, 94537, 94538, 94539, 94540, 94541, 94542, 94543, 94544, 94545, 94546, 94550, 94551, 94552, 94555, 94557, 94560, 94566, 94568, 94577, 94578, 94579, 94580, 94586, 94587, 94588, 94601, 94602, 94603, 94604, 94605, 94606, 94607, 94608, 94609, 94610, 94611, 94612, 94613, 94614, 94615, 94617, 94618, 94619, 94620, 94621, 94623, 94624, 94661, 94662, 94701, 94702, 94703, 94704, 94705, 94706, 94707, 94708, 94709, 94710 and 94712

The Prime Buyer's Report provides information for the top 10 computer repair services in Alameda County within the following cities:

Alameda, Albany, Ashland, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Komandorski Village, Livermore, Mount Eden, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, Russell City, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Sunol and Union City

 

 

Computer Repair & Computer Consultants Oakland Area

County

City-Area

City

Computer Services Found

Alameda

Oakland

Alameda CA

23

Alameda

Oakland

Albany CA

9

Alameda

Oakland

Berkeley CA

49

Alameda

Oakland

Canyon CA

0

Alameda

Oakland

Emeryville CA

14

Alameda

Oakland

Oakland CA

74

Alameda

Oakland

Piedmont CA

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Computer Repair & Computer Consultants Hayward Area

City-Area

City

Computer Services Found

Hayward

Ashland CA

* see San Lorenzo CA

Hayward

Castro Valley CA

15

Hayward

Hayward CA

29

Hayward

Mt Eden CA

0

Hayward

Russell City CA

0

Hayward

San Leandro CA

15

Hayward

San Lorenzo CA

3

 

 

Computer Repair & Computer Consultants Fremont Area

City-Area

City

Computer Services Found

Fremont

Fremont CA

118

Fremont

Newark CA

13

Fremont

Sunol CA

0

Fremont

Union City

8

 

 

Computer Repair & Computer Consultants Dublin CA Area

City-Area

City

Computer Services Found

Dublin

Dublin CA

17

Dublin

Komandorski Village CA

0

Dublin

Livermore CA

23

Dublin

Pleasanton CA

50

Updated January 13, 2009
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7 Tips for Getting Your Computer or Computer Network Running 

Take Time Choosing Alameda County Computer Repair Service and IT Providers.
Computer technology is a complicated field. The computer repair personnel you work with should be highly trained in your operating system. You can't assume that all computer technicians or IT consultants have this knowledge, so spend some time searching for the IT technicians whose qualifications suit your needs.

It is also important to find out if your computer consulting firm and IT provider is comfortable performing laptop repair and desktop computer repair. It is also true that some computer consultants are more skilled in specialties such as network services or computer maintenance, so it is important to ask the right questions to make sure your computer doctor can take care of the computer problems or slow computer network issues you're experiencing.

Get an Explanation from the Computer Repair Companies in Alameda County.
Your computer technician should thoroughly explain his diagnosis and proposed solution in language you can understand. When your computer is returned to you, the computer doctor should explain the computer repairs in as much detail. This is true for two reasons: You will have an itemized receipt you should be able to decrypt and you should understand the initial computer failure to avoid repeating it.

Get All Computer Help and IT Services Details in Writing.
Insist that your initial diagnosis and computer repair work order are clearly documented. You will reference these before you sign off on any work done. You should also save a copy for your records, particularly any warranty and computer maintenance agreements.

Write a Description of the Computer Problem for the IT Consultants.
So you don't end up leaving out any important details when describing your problem to prospective computer technicians, write it down. Describe the symptoms of the failure and the events leading up to it. A technician will need as much information as possible to accurately assess your problem. If you write it down beforehand, every candidate will have the same information from which to base their diagnosis and estimate.

If you're hiring IT consultants to diagnose computer network configurations or set up computer network security plans such as wireless networking protection or computer backup recovery, it's equally important that your computer services providers understand your goals. Be sure to write down any specific anti-virus protection, antivirus programs & anti-spyware programs you require, and any computer backup & disaster recovery specifications.

Choose Certified Computer Consultants and Computer Repair Companies.
Superlative IT companies often get the recognition they deserve. In Alameda County, this may be Diamond Certification or honors from the Better Business Bureau. If you choose a computer service and repair business with these particular accreditations, you're sure to experience more personalized, capable computer repair service and IT consulting.

Stay in Touch with Your IT Consultants and Computer Services Providers.
Don't forget about your computer. Regularly check in with your computer technician for progress reports. Extended service may incur additional fees, but either way, you'll want to know if there have been any problems or additions to your agreement. This is especially important if you've hired an IT provider for computer security systems that involve wireless networking, computer network security or computer network systems for remote telecommuting.

Know Your Rights with Alameda County Computer Repair Consultants.
As a paying customer, you are afforded some protective rights according to your location. For business transactions in Alameda County, details on consumer's legal entitlements are available at the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

Updated February 6, 2009
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Computer Repair Services & Computer Network Consultants in Alameda County Can Service Most Computer Brands 

Gateway, HP, Dell, Intel, Sharp, Lexmark, Compaq, Toshiba, Sony, IBM, Microsoft, Acer, emachines, Lenovo, Alienware, Brother, Cybertron, Epson, Mac, and Samsung.
Updated January 13, 2009
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Diamond Certified