Dell Hardware

  • If you suspect a hardware problem on a Dell system, follow these steps.
  • Go to the Dell Support page: http://support.dell.com
  • Register and/or login with your Dell web account
  • Enter your Dell's Service Support Tag number to find out how many days you have left.
  • Download the Diagnostics CD for your system and run a full diagnostics (Dell will ask you to do this later so you might as well do it now).
  • Do one of the following:
    • Request a repair from the Dell Support page.
    • Call the Dell Support phone number and describe your problem

Apple Hardware

  • If you suspect a hardware problem on an Apple system, follow these steps.
  • First, run the Apple Hardware Tests (AHT) from your original OS X DVD or CD that shipped with your system. To use them, insert the DVD/CD, reboot your system and hold down the "Option" key. You should see a screen with all of your possible boot devices, including the AHT on the DVD/CD. The AHT is unfortunately not downloadable unless you have an Apple Pro contract which we don't have.
  • Go to the Apple Support page: http://support.apple.com
  • Enter your serial number to find out how many days your system has left on warranty
  • Do one of the following:
    • Request a repair from the Apple Support page and a shipping box will be sent to you
    • Call the Apple Support phone number: [1]
    • Take the hardware to the Apple Store at Lenox Mall.

Out of Warranty Systems

There is a local company called Richard's Computer in Sandy Springs that we have had a good experience with.