What to Do Before Your Computer Repair Appointment (South Jersey)

You scheduled your computer repair appointment with us — or with any local shop. Now what? Most customers show up unprepared, which slows the repair down and risks data loss. After repairing 5,000+ computers, here's our exact pre-appointment checklist.

1 Back Up Your Important Files First

Even if your computer powers on, back up before you bring it in. If it doesn't power on, skip to step 2.

• Quick backup: plug in an external USB drive, copy your Documents, Desktop, Pictures, Downloads, and Videos folders. Takes 10-30 minutes for most home users.
• Cloud backup: verify OneDrive, iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox are fully synced (look for the cloud icon — should be green/checkmark, not in-progress).
• Browser bookmarks: Chrome and Edge sync to your Google/Microsoft account automatically. Verify by signing in elsewhere.

2 Write Down Your Passwords

We need passwords for many repairs — Windows login, your wifi, your email. Without them, we can't fully test your computer after repair.

• Windows/Mac login password — required for most repairs
• WiFi password — needed to test internet
• Email passwords — to verify mail works after repair
• Microsoft / Apple ID — for activation and updates

3 Note What You Already Tried

If you tried turning it off and on, running antivirus, or anything else — tell us. This saves us 30+ minutes of repeating the same diagnostics.

Common things you might have tried:

• Restarted (how many times?)
• Updated Windows / macOS
• Ran a virus scan
• Uninstalled recent software
• Tried different cables / power adapters
• Ran disk cleanup or defrag

4 Bring the Power Adapter, Charger, and Cables

This sounds obvious but customers forget every week. Bring:

• The original power adapter (laptops especially)
• USB cables for any peripherals having issues
• External drives if data recovery is involved
• The receipt or purchase date if under warranty

5 Describe the Problem Specifically

"It's broken" tells us nothing. The more specific, the faster we can diagnose. Think about:

• When does it happen? Boot, after 10 minutes, only certain programs?
• What changed recently? Did you install something new? Apply Windows update?
• Does it always happen or randomly?
• Specific error messages? Take a phone photo if possible.
• Did anything physical happen? Drop, spill, power surge, lightning storm?

6 Sign Out of Cloud Services (Optional)

If you're sensitive about privacy, sign out of cloud services before your appointment — OneDrive, iCloud Drive, Google Drive, Dropbox. We won't access your files, but signing out gives you extra peace of mind.

You'll need to sign back in after we return the computer, but it's a 60-second task.

7 What to Expect Day-Of

You'll drop off your computer with us (or we pick up for some local jobs). We diagnose first — typically same-day. We then call you with our findings and the cost BEFORE doing any paid work.

• Diagnostic: often free for simple issues, applied to repair if you proceed
• Most repairs: depends on the issue
• Turnaround: 24-72 hours typical for most repairs
• Pickup: we call when ready; you swing by

Need Help? Call PC Medics

If you're in Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Marlton, Haddonfield, Moorestown, or anywhere in South Jersey, call us at (856) 914-1074 to schedule your repair. We'll walk you through everything you need to bring, and we offer free diagnostics on many common issues.