Asheville's Frequently Asked Computer Questions

Some Frequently Asked Questions about Your Friendly Asheville Computer Repair Shop:

1) Q: Which of your 3 locations perform computer repair? Which sell Macs?
     A: Our North Asheville and Arden locations (252 Charlotte St. & 300 Airport Rd.) are where we repair PCs and Macs.
          You can purchase Macs at our Downtown Asheville and Arden locations (101 S. Lexington Ave. & 300 Airport Rd.).

2) Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
     A: We accept cash, debit, and all major credit cards. We also accept personal checks for amounts under $300 only.

3) Q: What is your policy for returning items?
     A: For eligible Mac and third-party products, you have up to 14 calendar days from the date of purchase to initiate a return.
          Refunds will be issued within 10 business days, less a 15% restocking fee. Special ordered items are eligible for a 50%
          refund in the form of store credit. All returned products must be in their original packaging with any accessories,
          manuals, documentation, and registration that shipped with the product. Opened software, configure-to-order,
          personalized, or other customized products may not be returned for refund or exchanged under any circumstances
          unless such product is DOA.
         (This policy is listed at the bottom of all our receipts.)

4) Q: Do you sell refurbished Macs?
     A: Unfortunately, we do not sell refurbished Macs. We reserve any computers that we refurbish for our donation programs          to help put computers into the homes of students and families in need in our community.

5) Q: Are you an Apple Authorized Service Provider/Reseller? What exactly does that mean?
     A: Yes, Charlotte Street Computers is both an Apple Authorized Service Provider and an Apple Authorized Reseller.
          This means that we are licensed by Apple to service, repair, and sell all Apple products. Our technicians are required to
          maintain up-to-date Apple certifications in order to work on your computer. In other words, it's Asheville computer repair
          that's as good as Apple.

6) Q: What is the AppleCare Protection Plan?
     A: The AppleCare Protection Plan is an integrated service and support plan that is backed by Apple at all of their authorized
          locations worldwide. This warranty extends the complimentary coverage on your Apple product, covering all hardware
          failure and phone support for an additional 2 years. Our technicians highly recommend purchasing the AppleCare
          Protection Plan and purchase it for their personal Macs as well.

7) Q:Can I purchase AppleCare from Charlotte Street Computers even if I didn't buy my Mac there?
     A: Absolutely! We are happy to help you purchase AppleCare for your Mac. Simply call us at (828) 209-6600 or stop by one
          of our stores and provide the serial number of the computer you wish to purchase AppleCare for.

8) Q: Will Charlotte Street Computers repair my iPod?
     A: Yes, we work on all iPods except the iPod Touch or iPhone. Because the iPod Touch and iPhone contain highly
          sensitive sensory devices and materials, we recommend contacting Apple directly for these repairs
          (1-800-MY-APPLE).

9) Q: Why should I buy a Mac from Charlotte Street Computers instead of directly through Apple?
     A: Why? We'll tell you why:
        • You are supporting a local Asheville business, and supporting local is a big part of who we are as a community.
        • At Charlotte Street Computers, we keep our Macs in stock, so you can walk out with your new iMac or MacBook today!
        • We offer discounts on Mac to Mac or PC to Mac data transfers if you buy with us.
        • Our experienced technicians and salesmen can talk you through the purchasing process and help you find the right
           Mac for your needs.
        • Our Apple sales help support e-cycleme.com, our computer recycling center, which also refurbishes computers for
           donations to community members in need and non-profits in Asheville.
        • Our prices are the same as Apple's, so why not buy your Mac right here in Asheville?

General Computer Questions

1) Q: Why do hard drives fail?
     A: Hard drives are mechanical devices that have spinning discs inside them that rotate thousands of times a minute.
          All mechanical devices eventually wear out and most hard drives last 3-5 years. They can fail slowly over time,
          or suddenly without warning. This is why backing up your data is so important.

2) Q: How should I back up my data?
     A: The safest way is to get an external hard drive that's at least as big as the one in the computer. The computer can be
          set up to backup it's entire contents on a regular basis to the external drive. Another option is an online backup
          service that sells backup space on the internet, which is good for people who don't have a large amount of data and
          have a fast internet connection.

3) Q: What is RAM and why do I need more?
     A: RAM is the short-term memory for your computer. You need more RAM if the computer is using nearly all of
          it's RAM under normal use. Many systems in the past were sold with a minimal amount of RAM because
          it used to be much more expensive.

4) Q: Why is my computer so slow?
     A: Main causes of slow computers are:
        • Slow processor (Celeron & Sempron especially)
        • Not enough RAM
        • Not enough free space on the hard drive
        • Virus or Spyware Infection
        • Too many programs running in the background