Computer busted, and you don’t know what to do? Need to transfer 10GB of data to your new computer from your old one, and that external hard disk isn’t being recognized by your old system any more? Support contract expired and you need help? Hey, no problem! Call the Geek Squad!

Yeah, yeah, I know; I sound like a commercial. Sorry about that.

But seriously; I had exactly one of the problems I just described: I had a shiny new desktop system, and wanted to move all my old data over from my old system before it died completely. (And from the noises it was making, that wasn’t going to be long.) I had been making regular backups on my old system on an external Fantom hard disk, but now my old system wasn’t recognizing the Fantom drive. I hadn’t backed-up all my email files yet, and believe me, I had a lot of email to move over. So it was either burn a dozen CD ROMs, or figure out a different scenario.

That different scenario turned out to be calling the Geek Squad.

Gateway tech support was unable to help me. (And before anyone grouses, I have generally had good luck with Gateway tech support.) I was hoping, since I’m moving data from an old to a new Gateway system, that they would have some magic for me. As an old system administrator myself, I should have know better. What they did have was the phone number of the Geek Squad. One phone call later, I had an appointment for one of their service techs to come over and help.

What’s the Geek Squad, you ask? They are a centrally-dispatched (via a 1-800 number) service organization that provides in-home, well, nerd services for benighted non-nerds. Having trouble setting up your new home wireless network? Baffled by your new hardware? Computer 91 days old, and making a strange thumping noise? Need someone to set up a regular backup routine for you? These guys can do it. (For a price, of course.) So I gave them a call.

Well, you can’t judge a whole company on one service call, but right now I’m a happy guy. The central dispatch people (mine was in Houston) were friendly, and I definitely like the whole “Dragnet” thing that they have going, although it may annoy some folks. (Take a look at the web site and you’ll see what I mean. The service techs even dress like Joe Friday.) One problem I had was they quoted me a service day that was six days out, which seemed like a long time to wait when my system was sitting over here dying. But the dispatcher worked with me, and I was able to get a tech out in three days instead of six.

The tech was friendly and helpful and did a fine job. And yup, he did dress like Joe Friday, even down to the shoes. (Didn’t talk like him, though, thank goodness.) But I was completely satisfied with the service, and will definitely use them again if I need to. And I think these guys would be a good resource for folks who are more computer illiterate than I, and don’t mind paying a bit for the help. The only downside is you may need to wait a bit longer than you wanted and yes, the services can be a little pricey.  (I had to wait three days for the tech, and my transfer of 10GB and setup of my new system–including hooking it up to my ISP and testing my email and connectivity–took about 1.5 hours and cost $229.)
So if you’re in trouble, consider calling the Geek Squad.

MSRP: various services cost various $$$ amounts; call or visit their web page
What I Like: They come to your home; available (on the phone) 24 hours
What Needs Improvement: Price (no question about it; this is an expensive service); response time