Computer Repair, Portland Oregon | Windows PC & Macintosh + networks

Computer service / computer repair / network consulting, in Portland, Oregon. Phone: 503-289-1986. Address: 2256 N. Albina Ave. Portland, OR. Corner of N. Interstate at Albina.

Metro Computerworks is a "concierge" class computer service and repair shop near downtown, Portland, Oregon, plus we provide on-site service at your business or home. We practice a personalized, high customer service oriented approach for support of computers and networks – both the Windows PC and Apple Macintosh. We're experts on how PCs and Macs work together on a company network or home network. We're available for on-call single-issue service as well as ongoing support and maintenance through a scheduled service agreement.

With certified experts for both platforms and many years of experience, we are an ideal resource for homes and home offices as well as small to medium sized business that need assistance, but do not want to hire a full-time IT support person.

Portland Oregon computer repair options are numerous. In the last three years we count at least four or five franchise-type on-site computer service companys –all with the word geek in their name– have come into the area. It appears they've all tried to capitalize on the public's general frustration with outsourced technology support that most of the computer manufacturers use to service their customers. The "geeks that come to you" business model is kind of clever, but now seems overused and demands high volume to succeed. Hardly any of them have shops to fall back on when a computer needs more involved attention, and resriction to a menu of services and policies doesn't allow for the occassional guerilla tactics and tricks needed to overcome some of the countless service and support scenarios that may be encountered.

We work hard on really great service - same day or next day response, spurning voicemail, offering thoughtful advice over the phone, and offering pickup and delivery for close-in neighborhoods and downtown Portland. We're neither PC nor Mac zealots, just guys with a equal passion for technology and working with people and businesses to keep things running well. We appreciate the strengths of both Windows PCs and Apple Macintoshes, and also have a keen understanding of the occasional frustrations of both.

We can help with Windows 2003 Server, Windows 2008 Server, Microsoft Exchange, Apple OS X Server, Windows XP and the new Windows 7 operating system. However, we no longer service Windows 98 and Windows Millenium Edition computers.

Thanks to our experience gained through a special contract with Dell, we have performed many new Microsoft Windows 7 computer setups.We can consult on upgrading to Windows 7, and help with moving data properly from your old computer to the new computer.

We can help with any problem with older Macs running any version of OS X, including the Latest OS X 10.7 Lion, and Apple's iCloud.

Contact Gene (owner) or Clem (Service Manager) at 503-289-1986 for any Portland computer service and network consulting. Carry-in service is available in the shop six days a week.

Commonly asked questions and answers:
Q: Why use Metro Computerworks for on-site computer service, repair and consulting? A: Simple - High quality one-on-one personalized service from experienced experts that you can reach as easily as if they were next-door.

Computer consulting can be a tedious racket for a small business and homeowners. There are an intimidating number of choices out there when you need fast help in an emergency, or if you're looking for a relationship with someone that you know will be competent and reliable.

Our emphasis on high-end service is special in many ways:

• We don't like voicemail much more than you do. We try our best to answer every call directly, so you can talk immediatly to a technician.
• Shop visits are really consultations. You will get our full attention at the time of service. Or if you just want to drop it off quick and have us contact you later in the day that's fine.
• Free telephone phone consultation and advice (limited to 10 minutes).
• Response time for local emergency on-site service usually within one hour, and non-urgent calls almost always same-day.
• Our specialists are very friendly and personable, with many years' experience.
• Quick diagnostic in the shop is free. (limited to 10 minutes). [home]

Q: What brands and kinds of computers do you service?
A: Post-warranty work for Apple Macintosh, and all Windows based PCs and laptops, including Dell Computer (Dimension, Inspiron XPS and others, Gateway Computer, Compaq Computer (Presario), Hewlett Packard (Pavilion), eMachines, - HP Computer, Sony Viao, IBM - also, any home-built, or custom built computers. [home]

Q: Do you do warranty repair for these brands?
A: No. If your computer is still under warranty, you need to contact the manufacturer directly. Apple Macintosh warranty issues can be handled by local Apple resellers, which are required to provide warranty service, and Dell warranty issues can be handled by contacting Dell.

However, we can facilitate the process between you and your manufacturer by helping to formally diagnose a hardware problems. [home]

Fees here do not include any hardware replacement or upgrade that may be needed. Don't hesitate to call ahead to discuss your situation first. [home]

Q: What forms of payment do you accept
A: Cash, local check with required identification, all major credit cards - Visa card, Mastercard, American Express. We do not accept Discover. [home]

Q: Do you have support contracts, service agreements?
A: Certainly. On-site, on-call service can be purchased in blocks of time for a lower hourly rate. For example:

5 hours per month: $90 per hour
10 hours per month $85 per hour
15 hours per month $80 per hour.

These scenarios are perfect for companies that do not have enough need to hire a full-time IT person, yet still need very reliable relationship-based support. [home]

Q: Where is your shop located?
A: Metro Computerworks is located close-in North Portland in the historic Gotham Building, next to a restaurant called the Gotham Tavern, along the North/South Yellow Tri-Met Max line. The address is Gotham Building, Suite 181, 2256 N. Albina Ave. Portland, Oregon 97227.

This is right on the corner of Interstate and Albina. Albina Ave. normally runs parallel to Interstate, but as Interstate curves South toward dowtown it intersects Albina Ave.

To newcomers, the location can be tricky. Here's a mapquest link if you need to print directions. We are where Albina Ave. meets Interstate Avenue, between the Broadway and Fremont bridges, along the new Max line heading north. That's two blocks South of Widmer Brewing Company and the Widmer Gasthaus, and other fun establishments like Mint and McMenamins White Eagle. The locale is very close to downtown Portland and the Pearl District (just over the Broadway Bridge). The Gotham building is a 100 year old building that underwent a major renovation.

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Q: What kinds of services do you offer?
A: On-site OR carry-in computer consulting, service and repair,
Including, but not limited to:

• Operating system upgrade or reinstall - download / install device drivers and current updates. Wipe partition, reformat, reinstall, backup and restore critical data.

• Microsoft Server 2008, 2003 Standard and Small Business Server setup, configuration and support. Microsoft Exchange setup and support. Server consulting and maintenance.

• Network setup, configuration and consulting. Setup of routers, switches, firewalls, hubs and cabling in Apple Macintosh and Windows environments.

• Wireless (WIFI) setup, configuration including security encryption or other security.

• Computer tutoring and training - one-on-one, at your home or business. We can meet with you for one to three hour clinics for just about anything you'd like to learn about - basic computer operation, maintaining your computer, working with digital cameras, scanners and video, or working with email and internet.

• Troubleshoot startup issues, hardware and software problems.

• Test and replace failed components - Most common: power supply, hard drive, motherboard (logic board).

• Hardware Upgrades - additional memory (RAM), larger or additional hard drives, video cards, CPUs., add PCI cards for ethernet or wireless networking.

• Backup solutions - Make sure the right stuff is getting backed up to the right place and that it's verified.

• Data recovery - We can attempt data recovery from corrupted hard drives or from hard drives rescued from dead computers. If your hard drive has physically failed (makes a clicking sound or won't spin up) please call to discuss options.

• Apple iPod/iPhone consulting. Recover iTunes to new computer or from backup or get your iTunes library and songs folder straightened out. Macintosh or Windows. For broken iPods or iPhones, and iPads we recommend Matt Moore and Wired iRepair (www.wiredirepair.com). His shop located close-in NW Portland.

• Personalized coaching / training for just about any computer network topic.
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Q: Do you only service Portland or do you go out to other areas?
A: Metro Computerworks specialists will go anywhere in the greater Portland area (West Portland and East Portland, including Beaverton, Tualatin, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, Clackamas, Gresham and Wilsonville, and Vancouver Washington, as well as outlying areas in Multnomah County, Clackamas County, and Washington County.