Technology Problem: Full hard drive, MacBook wouldn't turn on, Files were in danger
Solution: Called FYX.IT for Data Recovery, Transfer, and Backup
Result: One happy customer and a "like new" MacBook
This is a delayed review but the reasons why will be revealed later.
About a month and a half ago or so I was sitting at home putting in grades for a class I teach. A message on my MacBook popped up saying something along the lines of "HARD DISK: Please clear up your hard disk, it is almost full." At the time I've been getting that message for about three weeks. My MacBook has 500 GB on it so I figured I'd be okay. I use my MacBook for various tasks: homework, papers, grading, downloading movies, games, etc. and for the past year or so it would get really hot and the battery would die quick, something I again ignored because I figured its something that happened to all computers with time.
Anyway, as I was putting in grades (a simple task that shouldn't cause a computer to overheat) my battery started to die fast and overheat, so I turned it off and put it to charge. Usually this fixes everything and my MacBook battery says, "5 hours remaining" which is great, but then I use it again for a simple task like browsing news sites and the battery then reads "2 hours remaining". (Why does my battery drain so quickly!?)
The next morning I went to turn on my computer and after 30-45 seconds (its usual startup time) it turned off. It didn't even get to the home screen, it stayed gray and turned off. Confused I tried to turn it on again and the same thing happened. After 5 more attempts I panicked and started to Google potential answers to my problem via my iPhone. One post suggested I do something like press command 5 during startup to see what the error was. It was like "Error 50dd7", some jargon like that. I called multiple places asking for help.
"Bring it in and we'll run a diagnostic." they all say said.
"Awesome, it's free right?" I would respond (I'm very frugal).
"No, the diagnostic will be (some said like $10 others said like $25)."
"Wait, so how much will it be to fix?"
"We can't tell you that until we know what's wrong with it."
What the fuck? I have to pay you to tell me what more I have to pay you to fix it? I thought it was complete bullshit and kept searching.
I requested help from my Facebook friends and one of them suggested FYX.IT. Completely desperate for immediate help I called them. The founder, Brendan Hsu, answered and asked me what my problem was. I told him that I got that error message (which I've been getting for weeks at the time) and told him that my MacBook wouldn't turn on. He told me he would personally come over and check it out, free of charge. HE CAME TO ME!!! FOR FREE?! Wow, that's service.
When Brendan came by I showed him the computer. He did a few things and concluded that the computer would not turn on because the hard drive was full. I asked what should be done and he said I had two options. 1. He could delete everything and basically give me a clean slate or 2. He could backup everything on an external. Of course I went with option 2.
Brendan asked if I had an external he could use to backup my files, I didn't. He said he could go get one for me and then backup my files. I said yes and then gave me a rough estimate of about $130 ($75 for the 1 TB external hard drive and $55 for the labor). I handed him my MacBook and my trust.
The next day I got call from him telling me its just about ready and that all my files were going to be on my external. I asked if there was a way he could place all my important files (word documents, pictures, PDFs) back on the computer because I didn't want to spend time dragging stuff over (I'm lazy). He agreed and also did this. He came, dropped off my computer (good as new!) and I paid him with my card (he had this cool device that goes on an iPhone and allows one to swipe their card and be charged).
It should go without saying that everything I had thought I lost (including my extensive history research I did this summer) was saved! I've never been more relieved in my life! And to top it off my computer ran faster and stopped overheating! The reason I waited so long to review FYX.IT was because I was waiting to see if my computer would drain its battery easily or overheat again like before, I thought these effects were temporary. But they are not! This MacBook runs just as fast as it did when I got it in 2011.
I HIGHLY recommend FYX.IT to anyone with computer problems! Not only does this company have people who know how to work with Apple products (like Brendan), but they are also very friendly and fast! I'm hoping I never have technology problems again, but if I do, I know I will call FYX.IT read more