So I've been having a strange over heating issue that comes and goes where my processor overheats to shut down; sometimes I get into windows, sometimes I do not, but it's never long when I even get the OS loaded. Events come and go for no discernable rhyme or reason where it will overheat and then run just fine for long stretches in between.. Apparently the shutdown corrupted my install during this last event.
So I took it to Tower Micro. After explaining the problem to them twice we were given a diagnostic quote and let them go ahead. I get a call informing me of the OS corruption and that they want $150!!!! to reinstall Windows, never mind the fact that I supplied them with my windows install disk. I ask about the overheating and he says there is none. I ask him if he needs the OS environment to install a new pump and he paused, gave me an incredibly vague line saying "well it's a multifaceted problem" blah blah blah but never actually answered the question. When I asked him again he took a major attitude with me and started going off about how apparently I know more than him for simply asking a very fair question given the initial fee associated with what may be a multi staged fix job that could easily run past $400.
I have rarely seen such unprofessional service and I'm fairly certain he was just mad because I didn't submit graciously to his blatant price gouging. This company is absolutely taking advantage of people, their prices are insane and the help is beyond rude.
I know in such a small area professional PC repair is hard to come by but for these prices you can afford to travel to Danville or elsewhere to find a service who actually wants your money.
-----
Edit: In the half hour since I uploaded this review apparently Tower Micro saw it and decided that since they had an unsatisfied customer the right thing to do was get extremely mouthy and refuse to even discuss fixing the computer. Obviously temper tantrums are standard procedure there. If they're doing it to me you can be sure they're doing it to other people.
Don't say you weren't warned.
-----
Second Edit, June 6th: I have come back to update this review as I've finally gotten to the bottom of this problem and gotten the necessary repairs made. I'm pleased to report my little box is running like a champ again. I'm FAR less pleased to say that in discovering what the problem was I've uncovered either gross incompetence or outright bad faith business practices on the Part of Tower Micro. It turned out the sensors which were reporting that my processor was overheating and shutting off the computer were in error. In fact another, REPUTABLE computer company took physical measurements of the temperature during an "overhetaing episode" and discovered that while the sensors were reporting a 90c terminal temperature, the processor was in fact idling at around 30.
This other place actually double checked their findings by examining my entire cooling system, verifying its thermal exhaust, and making sure the liquid inside was in good condition. It was then quickly discovered that the culprit was actually an under-powered powersource which was delivering inconsistent voltage; A cheap and quick replacement later and we're back up an running like a champ.
Tower Micro immediately wanted to sell me a new cooling pump, their first proposed fix to the problem when I took it in to them. Either Tower Micro's diagnostic is woefully inept to the point it would have cost me hundreds of dollars to pay their outrageous fees to replace parts that weren't even broken, or they outright knowingly tried to grift me. Both are equally inexcusable from a company who claims to be professionals and charges the clownish fees they do. They need to be investigated. read more