Affordable Computer Service and Repair

Brian did a good job of removing virus’ from my computer. And I got it back very quickly!

I’ve taken my family’s computers for hardware upgrades & tune ups. Brian is able to fix my computers and get them back to me quickly. I would highly recommend his services.

Brian McNeil of Affordable Computer Services deserves his negative reviews. I finally complained to the Better Business Bureau, which has no power to force behavior. Our final offer was to pay him to restore a backup of my files he created. The BBB apologized they could not get him to finish his job. Case # 57 355 844.
I am finally free of this unstable Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personality. He’s willing to make up any story necessary to cover his behavior, somehow deluded into thinking I am the cause of his actions. Sometimes he screws up, places blame on his victim, and cries harassment when faced with the damage he does. I came to him with a 3TB data loss. I left with a 6TB loss and a box of used parts instead of my original equipment.
I wish I had checked here first. Read down these reviews, this is not a new story. There are many competent and businesslike computer services around. They are worth waiting for if necessary, you don’t have to roll the dice. I guarantee whatever he says following is just more of his deluded or malicious nonsense.
For those who want the story, read on and decide for yourself. I brought him a 3TB drive that had failed. He could take parts from an identical 3TB drive full of good data and swap them out to see if data recovery was possible. He had to make a backup of the good data in the unlikely event the good drive got damaged.
3 weeks later, he called having «difficulty» backing up data. He had forgotten I have a Mac, though the drives given him were formatted for Mac. A week later he tried the parts swap and found no recovery possible. From his statements it’s also clear the swap was unnecessary. My good drive was now in pieces and he told me he could not put it back together. Why would anyone destroy a good drive full of data to test another? Why did he tell me that after the fact? I told him that was unacceptable, and he grudgingly reassembled the good drive.
When picking up the reassembled drive, he said he had reformatted it. That of course erased the data on it. He said the «backup» was in Mac format, which I could restore. I paid him and went home to restore my files.
The reassembled drive had indeed been reformatted, incorrectly for Windows, not readable on a Mac. So much for my second 3TB of good data. The «backup» files were fragmented with some unknown backup software, useless to me.
Returning the empty reassembled drive and backup, he admitted he didn’t remember exactly how he did the backup, but the files might have been transferred to his Mac, then to my backup drive. None of this makes sense, all the way back to his original confusion. Is this poor soul senile or on drugs? His memory and behavior are as fragmented as my data. I knew I was in trouble. He’s either incompetent, lying, or both.
He tried to justify his behavior giving me a lecture on how hard drives work, irrelevant and infuriating. A child can make a viable backup of Mac files. Another 2 weeks later he started calling me names, claiming he had filed a police report for harassment and notified his attorney (more lies). I was dealing with a crazy person, and started asking simple yes or no questions. He refused to answer if he was capable of restoring the backup files, and wouldn’t finish the job. Without his software, there is no way to recover my good files. He has deleted many as well, corrupting the backup further. All this is documented in emails, texts, and dated computer files.
I disputed his charge with Visa, who looked at the hard evidence and immediately credited me his fee. I filed with the BBB, who received further claims from him, even citing software that doesn’t exist. They negotiated to no avail. Countless hours spent denying the obvious instead of simply being willing to fix what he had done. His competitors shake their heads and advise me to walk away. The «backup»??? Windows backup of Mac files. Figures. I have to give him credit for being consistent.

He can help your parents!
My mom is a bit older than most of the technology my brother and I buy her and English is not her first language; so I expect assisting her with something like getting her computer fixed to be a total pain. This was not the case. Brian was super nice and patient in answering all my mom’s questions (even the ones she asked twice) and made sure she felt confident enough to use her computer without being afraid of messing it up.
I would recommend him to anyone who has a senior struggling with their devices. :)

Brian is very personable, knowledgable and patient. He also had my device ready when he said it would be, and called me when he said he would. I really appreciate his professionalism. He gave me a break for being a return customer. Always with a cheerful attitude.

The owner and manager, Brian, was very informative and fair throughout my experience trying to recover files from a corrupt hard drive.
After multiple days of work, Affordable Computer Service and Repair declared that my hard drive is unrecoverable, but they graciously refused to charge me for their time.
Great experience and would recommend!

I found Brian, when I first moved to S.R. through a real estate company whose computers he maintained. Five years later he is still the go-​to guy for me. I’m a bit confused by some of the reviews, as I have always found Brian to be efficient, extremely knowledgeable and a reliable source of information and advice. I have had some strange issues and more than my share of problems. He has always come through, including when I accidentally initiated a recovery program on my computer and almost lost all my data (no back up) and raced to his ‘ER’. I’ve learned the lessons he’s taught me and when I have a question, he is always available to assist me over the phone. He’s better than a therapist and truly ‘affordable’. I have full faith in his trustworthiness with any of the personal information on my laptop. He’s got my vote.

Called Brian to explain my problem linking to a printer, he was busy with a customer so after agreeing to fix it he said «I’ll call you back». He took my contact info (I wonder if he even wrote it down) never called back to this day it’s 09.15.15. Don’t waste your time with businesses that fail to do as promised. R.B. is there a minis star.

I had a great experience here. Brian was so personable and professional.
I haven’t had to get my computer fixed by a professional before (I’ve always just known someone who could help me out). I really didn’t want to go to a big box store or call the geek squad — so over-​priced and impersonal. I asked around for a recommendation for something local and ended up calling Affordable Computer Service and Repair.
He was able to easily fix an issue I had with my computer turning off randomly. He also explained possible reasons why my computer was so slow and turning off out of the blue. I walked him through what I had done that could have possibly caused the issue (my cleaning attempt) and he suggested I use a vacuum next time, instead of forced air which just blew dust further into my computer. No judgment on my cleaning attempt, just help and advice for the future.
Overall, the process was quick and successful. I had a very positive experience. Thanks Brian!

BUYER BEWARE.
My laptop screen was broken so I took it to Brian who asked for a $ 50 deposit and said it would take a few days. A week later, I called and he seemed to not know who I was or what I was talking about. Then he said he had to order the part and it should be in in a few days. Still no call, called back and he said It had just arrived and should be done by end day. When I picked it up, I forgot about my deposit and paid in full. I called him later and asked that he credit it back to my card. He asked me how much I put down (???) and then said he didn’t know how to credit it back and would instead write me a check. It did clear. 6 weeks later, my computer screen went white. I was too weirded out to go back to Brian so I paid again to have it fixed elsewhere. The shop said that, the work previously done was «an abomination» and they can’t believe it worked for as long as it did. My decision to not return was not based on the length of time it took to receive a part, but my overall experience and LACK OF TRUST. Never again.

I had my power cord stolen. Don’t use it. I sent to free survey intending to fix it cause I had a splash on power source plug and the motherboard might burned I supposed, maybe just the plug. He said my computer was useless, a mac book pro 17“and didn’t send it back. Full of memory, perfect screen conditions, memory 8gb Ok and 1Tb HD working and full of information. I payed for cut Hd of and send everything back to me. After 2 weeks looking in the post office for a computer, Hd and power cord cause he said he didn’t have any locate number, I received just the hard drive. After lots of complains and 1 month later after pay again the mail I received the computer without my power cord U$ 89,00, one year old that could be use in another PowerBook in my office. My friends in Dallas suggest me to report to police. For travel reasons I didn’t. Nightmare.

Had to call the police and he lied to them telling them he did not have my property. This guy is a flat out liar. Took my computer in to have data recovered in early April was told it would take two days after I dropped it off. I never was contacted by him. Called his business about ten times and left my name and number on his voicemail he never returned my calls. Went by multiple times as well he was never there during normal business hours. Finally he answered his phone on ⁴⁄₁₉. By then I had to file an extension to do my tax return because there was info on my computer I needed, which I explained to him was imperative that I get asap as I needed to do my taxes on time, as I previously stated he promised a two day turnaround and then it took me until ⁴⁄₁₉ before he answered his phone. I only have a cell phone and can pull all my bills to show how many calls were made to his number. So by the time I talked to him I was extremely angry and yes I cussed this loser out, how can any one run a business like this. Then he sends me an email apologizing for the inconvenience and saying I can pick up my data free of charge. Ok fine, but same problem go there multiple times, and call trying to recover my property too no avail. The whole time he has had my computer he has also had our email address and phone number. He claims he had the wrong phone number but that is a lie as my phone number was left on his voice mail many, many times. Finally a few days ago I went to his business and he was actually there. I told him my name and said I was there to pick up my data and computer. He said «Oh you’re that bitch «at that point I told him look I don’t want any more problems with you I just want my property and showed him the email he sent saying I could pick up my data free of charge anytime. He said he didn’t have my data or computer, started yelling at me to leave his shop which I refused to do without my property. I called the police and he told them I said he could have my computer which is another lie. He also told them he had taken my computer to Santa Rosa recycling, another lie. Then when he gets a Unilocal review telling people my experience with him he sends an email saying he has my computer and data but will only return it if my review is removed from Unilocal first. My husband went to his business after receiving that email to try and retrieve our property and he starts yelling at him for not calling first and tells him he can’t come in here and start harassing him. I don’t really understand what his problem is but at this point I dont want anything from him as he has now sent several emails demanding that we remove our Unilocal review using our email to harass us. I would never take my computer or data back from him at this point because he can not be trusted and its more trouble to deal with him then it’s worth. My original review stands, be careful who you decide to trust with your property. I only chose him because he was the cheapest and said he could get it done in two days which did not happen. Buyer beware read all their reviews first. I ‘m not the only person to try and warn people about him. If I could leave a NEGITAVE five stars I would! But they make you leave a star to post a review.

This is the best place around for fixing your computer hands down. Brian was extremely efficient and very cheap. He helped me get through my problem and did so very well. He managed to restore all of my information and EVERYTHING on my computer despite a failed hard drive and multiple viruses. I won’t be going anywhere else. I can promise you he’s cheaper, he’s faster, he’s better, and he’s a better guy than any other option you are considering. Don’t waste your time going anywhere else.

Brian is a helpful, friendly, very knowledgeable tech. He understood my problem and was able to fix it. It took longer than he expected. He probably should have told me it would take a couple of days rather than later the same day. Nevertheless I would certainly use him again. His prices are posted and are much more reasonable than the Geek Squad at Best Buy, plus you get the sense that he is connecting with you on an individual basis and he’s local, not a big box store.

If you ever have a computer issue and would like to get an honest assessment and expertly repair, please come to Affordable and look for Brian. You will not regret it. I strongly recommend Brian at Affordable.

This is my second review of Brian and Affordable Computer Service… and things just keep getting better. After deciding that one of my present computers was just too slow for the work I do, I asked Brian to guide me in getting a new desktop for my office. He steered me away from using a manufacturer I had previously bought from and toward Lenovo because he felt Lenovo offers better quality. It was a total relief to have some guidance around all of this… then he also helped me decide between the two monitors I was contemplating. When everything came he set it all up for me and was able to squeeze into a heavy appointment schedule during my day to install it. I can’t tell you what a relief it is to have someone like Brian on my «team» and know that my IT needs are completely covered. Again I would recommend Brian over any computer tech I’ve ever worked with. You can’t go wrong with him!

Having had a bad experience with another business in the past I didn’t know who to take my computer to this time. No one I know could recommend a place so I rolled the dice and went to Affordable Computer, a decision I am happy with.
Brian is fast and efficient. I called around and people told me it would be several days before I could have my machine returned but Brian fixed my virus problem overnight and for less money than the competition.
The next time I need a machine repaired I’ll know where to go.

You seriously cannot beat the service and price of Affordable Computer Service and Repair.
I have been taking my lap top to Brian for 2 plus years now. A couple of the issues I have had were the result of user errors. Brian was able to explain to me what I had done and how to avoid making the same mistake in the future, and he did this in a techy language that I could actually understand!
Recently, my hard drive crashed and Brian was available that day (it was a Friday) for me to bring my computer in and had it working and ready for me the following Monday.
Brian’s prices definitely beat any other that I have found and his work is phenomenal. Not only that, but he is a really cool, down to earth guy, too!
I would like to comment on the review that a customer left regarding the sticker that Brian placed on his laptop — If you bring your computer in to Affordable Computer Service, that sticker with Brian’s number could save you or a friend down the road, when another computer issue arises.
To sum it up, thanks to Brian, my laptop will probably last a couple of years longer than it would have, if it weren’t for him.

The bad experience in the shop is over shadowed by the inexcusable nature of my issue.
When I got home I found to my surprise, a sticker applied to my laptop. It was placed there without my permission, prior knowledge and it wasn’t entered in any agreement paperwork. This guy will mar any piece of equipment as he sees fit, despite any feelings the client may have. I was contacted by this company to enter a review into Unilocal.
In an email to me, this guy wrote, and I quote «They said the „resolution“ to my label problem can be found in a product called Goo Gone. $ 3.00. About the review process on Unilocal,You can trash my name and business if that makes you feel better. You have to include your real name and e-​mail. I will respond with the truth.»
Here’s the truth: The label problem is their problem and not mine. Why does this guy think I’m going to trash his business [does he feel everyone thinks at his level]? Why doesn’t he have the business sense to apologize for applying the sticker without my expressed written and documented consent? Why didn’t he either send the product he refers too or send me a check to cover the cost of the product and my time to purchase and remove the sticker? Why did he say I have to include my real name and email address [referring to reviewing on Unilocal]? I contacted Unilocal,this was their reply: «We require a valid email address to sign up for a Unilocal account, but users are not required to include their email address in their reviews. We value our users’ privacy, and wanted to make sure you know Unilocal does not sell your email address to business owners or other companies. To learn more about how Unilocal handles user information, please visit our Privacy Policy at
. [My personal note is to review section 4: Controlling Your Personal Data, this contradicts Affordable Computer Service of what I have to do]. I guess he will refer to Unilocal as liars. Why does this guy say he will respond with the truth: he is calling me a liar before he has had time to read my review which hasn’t been submitted yet?

Brian is professional, thorough and great to deal with.
He took the time to explain what was going on, and told me what I should do differently at home to increase my laptops performance. Superior work for an extremely reasonable price. Go to Brian first!