VOICE REQUEST
Tell us what’s going on
Describe the problem in your own words. We’ll ask a few follow-up questions so our team has the information they need.
Your microphone is used only during the voice request. Never share passwords, recovery keys, PINs, or payment information. We won’t ask for them.
Gaming PC problem or upgrade? Start here.
Tell us what the computer is doing—or what you want it to do. We’ll test what matters, explain the options, and get your approval before any extra work.
You do not need to diagnose it yourself.
The service request is free. Paid work begins only after the scope and cost are confirmed.
What brings you here?
Pick the closest option. You do not have to know exactly what is wrong.
Something is wrongCrashes, won’t boot, overheating, low FPS, strange noises, storage problems, or unpredictable behavior.
Crashes or restarts
Games freeze, blue-screen, restart, or shut the computer down.
Won’t turn on or boot
No power, black screen, boot loop, or Windows never reaches a usable desktop.
Overheating or loud fans
The PC runs hot, slows down, shuts off, or sounds much louder than it should.
Low FPS or stuttering
Games perform worse than expected, hitch, or slow down under load.
Storage or loading problems
Games, Windows, drives, or files load slowly, freeze, disappear, or report errors.
Something else
Tell us what the computer does and when it happens. That is enough to start.
I want to upgrade my PCGPU, CPU, RAM, SSD, cooling, power supply, or compatibility help.
Graphics card / GPU
Upgrade gaming performance or fix a new GPU that is not working correctly.
CPU / cooling
Improve processor performance, temperatures, cooling, or noise.
RAM
Add memory capacity or correct unstable or incorrectly configured RAM.
SSD / storage
Add faster storage, increase capacity, or move an existing installation.
Power supply
Check whether the PSU is stable and appropriately sized for the current or planned hardware.
Compatibility / complete plan
Tell us what you want the computer to do and we’ll determine what actually needs changing.
I’m not sureThat is completely fine. Tell us what the computer does, what changed recently, or what you want it to do.
We can start from there. You do not need to identify the failed part or choose the final repair before testing begins.
Gaming PC capabilitiesEverything we handle on a gaming PC
Here’s what happens next.
Tell us what is happening
Describe the problem—or the upgrade you want—in your own words.
We figure out what it actually needs
We test the system and separate the real cause from the symptoms.
You choose what happens next
We explain what we found, what the options cost, and wait for your approval before additional work.
Optional technical detailWant to see exactly how we diagnose a PC?
Document the system and its current condition.
Review the hardware, visible damage, recent changes, configuration, important data, and the customer's description of the failure.
Observe the failure instead of guessing at it.
Attempt to recreate the reported freezing, restart, startup problem, heat issue, or other behavior under relevant conditions.
Collect evidence from the systems that can cause it.
Temperatures, logs, storage health, memory stability, power behavior, firmware, and software evidence are reviewed when relevant.
Separate the actual cause from unrelated symptoms.
Testing narrows hardware versus software behavior, identifies contributing conditions, and avoids replacing parts without evidence.
Turn the findings into a decision you can understand.
Confirmed failures, remaining uncertainty, repair options, replacement value, and any next-stage testing are explained before more work begins.
PC shuts off after a GPU upgrade.
The new graphics card looked guilty. It wasn’t.
The PC shut down during games after a new graphics card was installed.
The graphics card, processor, memory, and temperatures tested normally. The power supply became unstable under load.
The unstable power supply was replaced with an appropriately sized unit and the original shutdown was retested under load.
EvidenceSee what we tested
Gaming desktop stability case
The power supply becomes unstable during high graphics-card demand. Separate testing shows the graphics card, processor, memory, and operating system remain stable.
Replace the unstable power supply with an appropriately sized unit, then retest the complete system.
Cable cleanup may be completed at the same time if approved, but it is not required to resolve the confirmed failure.
Repair valueHow we decide whether a repair is worth it
Repair-value review“Can it be repaired?” is not the only question.
A technically possible repair may still be a poor purchase. The recommendation should account for the cost of the work, the condition of the rest of the computer, expected usable life, and whether the finished machine will still meet your needs.
Age alone does not decide the answer.
An older, well-built computer may be worth repairing when the failure is isolated and the system still meets the workload.
Original purchase price does not guarantee current value.
A formerly expensive computer may now be limited by aging hardware, unsupported software, unavailable parts, or multiple developing problems.
A small repair can preserve a valuable configuration.
Specialized software, custom hardware, familiar workflows, local files, and difficult migrations can make repair more practical.
A major repair should not ignore the rest of the machine.
One expensive replacement can be difficult to justify when several other systems are also nearing failure.
Tell us what the PC is doing or what you want to change. We’ll take it from there.
Want the technical details?
You do not need to read this before requesting service. These sections explain our testing, repairs, parts, data handling, timing, and policies if you want the full picture.
Diagnostic conclusions & boundariesWhat the findings mean, uncertainty, scope limits, and customer authorization.
Use the diagnostic-method disclosure for Inspect → Reproduce → Measure → Isolate → Explain. This section focuses on the conclusion, uncertainty, and scope boundaries rather than repeating the same method.
Intermittent system instability
A customer reports that the computer freezes randomly, sometimes restarts, and has become noticeably slower.
The same symptom set can involve memory, storage, temperature, power, software, operating-system damage, firmware, or more than one problem.
The findings should narrow the problem, not simply repeat the symptom.
The result may identify one confirmed failure, several contributing conditions, or a smaller set of likely causes requiring an approved next-stage test.
A usable technical conclusion, not just a test result.
A diagnostic is successful when you understand the condition of the system, the recommended next step, and the consequences of repairing, delaying, upgrading, replacing, or stopping.
- A clear explanation of what testing showed
- Repair, replacement, upgrade, or referral options
- The opportunity to approve or decline added work
Testing begins only after the diagnostic scope and fee are confirmed.
Added work begins only after you approve it. That protects you from surprise parts, unexplained labor, unnecessary software changes, or a repair scope that grows without a clear decision.
Diagnostic boundariesThe investigation does not silently become a larger repair.
The approved diagnostic scope stays separate from parts, destructive changes, and additional labor unless you authorize the next step.
The diagnostic fee is not automatically a repair deposit.
It pays for the investigation unless the confirmed service offer clearly says otherwise.
Replacement parts are not included automatically.
Customer-specific parts and hardware require separate approval and payment before they are ordered.
Operating-system and data changes need approval.
Reinstallation, account changes, cloning, transfer, recovery, and destructive testing require the appropriate approved scope.
Not every intermittent failure can be guaranteed to reproduce.
Some faults require extended observation, a specific workload, customer context, or an additional approved test period.
Testing we may performPower, memory, storage, thermals, logs, software, and workload testing.
Not every computer needs every test.
Testing should be relevant to the complaint. Running unrelated utilities or replacing parts without a reason can waste time and produce misleading conclusions.
Power and physical conditionInspect the systems responsible for receiving and distributing power.
Power symptoms may require inspection of chargers, batteries, power supplies, cables, connectors, ports, installation quality, and internal condition.
- External and internal power path
- Loose, damaged, or incorrect connections
- Visible heat, liquid, impact, or electrical damage
Memory and processingEvaluate stability while the processor and memory are active.
Memory errors, unstable settings, processor heat, firmware values, and component incompatibility can create crashes that appear unrelated.
- Memory detection and stability
- Processor behavior under appropriate load
- Firmware and configuration review when relevant
Storage and file-system healthDetermine whether storage is slow, unstable, damaged, or inaccessible.
Drive health needs careful handling when freezes, corruption, startup problems, missing files, or important customer data are involved.
- Drive detection and reported health
- Read behavior and operating-system errors
- Data-risk review before aggressive testing
Temperature and coolingMeasure whether heat is a cause, a symptom, or a separate problem.
Cooling problems can involve blocked airflow, poor mounting, failed fans, thermal material, control behavior, or workload.
- Idle and load temperature behavior
- Fan operation, airflow, and obstruction
- Thermal throttling and shutdown behavior
Operating system and logsUse software evidence to identify failures hardware does not visibly show.
System logs, updates, drivers, startup records, file-system events, and application failures may reveal when and how instability occurs.
- Windows or Linux event and journal review
- Boot, driver, update, and service failures
- Software-versus-hardware isolation
Performance and workloadCompare the system's capabilities with what the customer expects it to do.
A computer can be functional and still be poorly matched to gaming, editing, development, rendering, simulation, or another demanding workload.
- CPU, graphics, memory, and storage limits
- Background activity and software overhead
- Upgrade value versus replacement value
Unexpected shutdown under load
The visible symptom tells us where to begin, not which part to replace. We reproduce the behavior, capture what changes, and isolate the subsystem that actually fails.
Two computers with the same visible symptom can require completely different repairs.
Observe first. Then isolate the cause.
Structured diagnostics separate what the customer sees from what the hardware or software is actually doing.
Computer turns off during demanding games.
Graphics load increases temperature and power demand.
Separate thermal behavior from power instability.
Power and startupWill not turn on, start, charge, or remain powered
Power symptoms can originate from the outlet, charger, battery, power supply, cabling, motherboard, damaged port, shorted component, or another internal failure.
- No lights, fans, or response
- Starts and immediately turns off
- Repeated restart or power cycling
Boot and operating systemPowers on but cannot reach a usable desktop
A computer may power on normally while failing during firmware checks, device detection, bootloader startup, Windows or Linux loading, account login, or update completion.
- Stuck on a logo or loading screen
- Automatic repair or recovery loop
- Missing operating system or boot device
Crashing and freezingUnstable behavior during ordinary work or heavy use
Crashes may involve memory, storage, heat, drivers, power delivery, firmware, damaged software, component instability, or a workload-specific fault.
- Blue screens, kernel panics, or lockups
- Unexpected restarts or shutdowns
- Failure only during games or rendering
Heat, noise, and coolingRuns hot, throttles, or becomes unusually loud
Cooling performance depends on heatsinks, thermal material, mounting pressure, fan operation, dust, case airflow, ventilation, software control, and workload.
- Fans remain loud during light use
- Performance falls after several minutes
- Temperature warnings or thermal shutdowns
Slow performanceFeels slower than it should or no longer handles the workload
Performance problems can come from insufficient memory, slow or failing storage, heat, background activity, power settings, software damage, or outdated hardware.
- Long startup and application loading
- Stuttering during games or creative work
- High disk, memory, or processor usage
Storage and file accessDrive errors, missing storage, corruption, or unreliable access
Storage symptoms need careful handling because repeated testing or continued use may increase risk when the drive is unstable or the customer's data is important.
- Drive disappears or is not detected
- Files open slowly or report errors
- Computer freezes during disk activity
Desktop PCs, laptops, gaming PCs, and workstations
Diagnostics are adapted to the device, configuration, operating system, and workload.
Tell us before ordinary testing begins.
When a computer contains irreplaceable files, the safest diagnostic order may be different. Repeated startup attempts can increase risk with unstable storage.
Repairs and validationApproved repair workflow, supported repair categories, and post-repair testing.
Gaming desktop power failure
The confirmed failure and customer approval define exactly what happens next.
Replace the unstable power supply, correct the graphics-card power cabling, and verify stability under combined load.
Cable cleanup and airflow improvements were approved separately while the system was already open.
Document the current layout and system condition
Record connections, visible condition, and the approved starting point.
Remove the confirmed failed component carefully
Protect surrounding hardware and preserve the known configuration.
Install the approved compatible replacement
Fit, connectors, electrical requirements, and support must match the system.
Confirm detection, cabling, firmware, and normal behavior
The replacement should integrate cleanly before load testing begins.
Retest the original failure under realistic load
The repair is measured against the symptom, not merely whether the computer powers on.
The repair is tested against the problem that was actually confirmed.
A computer reaching the desktop is not enough. Final testing should reflect the approved work, the customer workload, and the failure that previously occurred.
The completed work stays connected to the diagnosis and approval.
The ticket can record the confirmed failure, approved repair, installed parts, optional work, testing performed, remaining limitations, and customer handoff.
The correct repair depends on what testing confirms.
A service may appear in more than one category. The approved scope should identify what is required, optional, or unrelated to the reported failure.
01 · Power repairsRestore stable power delivery
Power problems can involve desktop power supplies, laptop chargers, batteries, internal cabling, and component connections.
- Desktop power-supply replacement
- Battery or charger replacement when supported
- Graphics-card and motherboard power cabling
02 · Cooling and thermalCorrect measured heat and airflow problems
Cooling work should address the confirmed cause instead of automatically replacing fans or renewing thermal material.
- Airflow obstruction removal
- Fan and cooler service when supported
- Thermal behavior retested afterward
03 · Storage replacementRestore usable storage and operation
Storage work can involve replacement, installation, cloning, migration, or data transfer depending on drive condition and priorities.
- HDD and SSD replacement
- Compatible storage upgrades
- Cloning or migration when appropriate
04 · Memory and componentsInstall compatible internal hardware
Capacity, electrical requirements, firmware support, cooling, dimensions, and workload all matter before installation.
- RAM installation and configuration
- Graphics-card installation
- Supported internal-device installation
05 · Operating-system repairRestore boot, drivers, updates, and configuration
Work may preserve the current installation, repair a damaged configuration, or require an approved clean installation.
- Windows and Linux boot repair
- Driver and update correction
- System-file and startup repair
06 · Laptop component workReplace supported serviceable laptop parts
Repairability varies by model because some systems use soldered assemblies, adhesives, or manufacturer-specific parts.
- Battery, storage, and memory when serviceable
- Cooling fans and supported assemblies
- Model-specific repairability review
Work outside the normal repair scopeSome failures require specialized equipment, manufacturer support, or another provider.
Circuit Craftworks will not present unsupported work as routine repair just to keep the job in-house.
- Board-level microsoldering
- Clean-room physical data recovery
- Phone and tablet repair
- Printer and unrelated electronics repair
- Manufacturer-locked programming
- Unsafe or heavily liquid-damaged equipment
Parts and compatibilityOrdering, customer-supplied hardware, compatibility, warranties, and part risk.
Parts and hardwareCompatibility comes before ordering.
The cheapest part, most powerful part, or highest advertised specification is not automatically the correct part for a particular computer.
- Physical dimensions and connectors are reviewed
- Firmware and system support are considered
- The part must serve the approved repair or upgrade goal
Customer-specific hardware is paid for before ordering.
Parts ordered specifically for the repair, computer model, or custom configuration require payment before the order is placed.
Customer-supplied parts may require review.
Compatibility, condition, completeness, authenticity, and suitability must be reviewed before installation is accepted.
Manufacturer and seller warranties remain separate.
Coverage terms are controlled by the provider and may require packaging, receipts, serial numbers, or customer participation.
Used or uncertain parts carry additional risk.
Used, refurbished, marketplace, or customer-supplied hardware can require additional testing without guaranteeing future reliability.
Data and privacyImportant files, account access, storage risk, and data-first decisions.
Unstable laptop with important files
The safest repair sequence changes when the files matter more than the hardware.
“The laptop is replaceable. The family photos and business documents are not.”
Repeated startup attempts, stress testing, reinstallations, and drive replacement should not begin before storage risk is considered.
The safest route depends on what is at risk and what you approve.
The technician should use the least invasive path that still answers the technical question.
Clarify what data or account access actually matters
Important files, backup status, and the customer’s priority come before aggressive testing.
Use only the account access required for approved work
Prefer a temporary technician account, supervised login, or another limited handoff when access is necessary.
Destructive operating-system or storage work requires its own approval
Formatting, reinstalling, cloning, transfer, recovery, and account changes should not be treated as ordinary diagnostic steps.
Preserve readable data before repair when the storage condition requires it
When files remain accessible, a controlled transfer may be the responsible first step before hardware or operating-system work continues.
Passwords should not be placed in ordinary intake forms, texts, or ticket notes. Any access genuinely required for approved work can be arranged through an appropriate limited handoff afterward.
Preparing for serviceWhat to bring, what to tell us, and what information protects the right things.
Before the appointmentGood preparation protects the right things and reduces avoidable delay.
You do not need to troubleshoot the computer yourself. The most useful preparation is accurate context, clear priorities, and the equipment directly related to the problem.
Write down what happens and when it happens
Intermittent problems are easier to investigate when the technician knows the exact workload, timing, error, sound, light pattern, or trigger.
- What the computer does
- When the problem began
- Recent hardware or software changes
Mention previous repair attempts and replaced parts
A system that was opened, modified, reset, reinstalled, overclocked, or repaired may require a different starting point.
- Parts already replaced
- Previous shop or manufacturer service
- Reset, update, or reinstall attempts
Say what cannot be replaced before testing begins
Do not assume the technician knows which folders, photos, project files, accounting records, profiles, or configurations matter most.
- Identify essential files and accounts
- Mention whether another backup exists
- State whether data or repair has priority
Include the charger or adapter when it may affect the problem
A laptop power issue cannot always be separated from the charger, cable, dock, adapter, or device used when the failure occurs.
- Laptop charger or power adapter
- Dock if the problem appears through it
- External device that triggers the failure
Provide the real date, not simply “as soon as possible”
A scheduled exam, client delivery, work trip, tournament, or business deadline may change whether the request can be accepted responsibly.
- Exact date and time needed
- Whether a temporary alternative exists
- Whether parts may need ordering
Some symptoms should not be repeatedly tested at home
Electrical smells, smoke, liquid exposure, battery swelling, severe clicking, grinding, repeated storage errors, or extreme heat may worsen with continued use.
- Disconnect unsafe equipment from power
- Do not puncture a swollen battery
- Avoid repeated startup attempts on failing storage
Do not place passwords, PINs, authentication codes, recovery codes, card information, or encryption keys in a normal text or intake message. The first message should describe the device and problem. Any access genuinely needed for approved work can be arranged afterward.
Timing and supportTurnaround factors, appointment flow, communication, and after-service support.
Timing and communicationTurnaround depends on what the computer actually needs.
A simple reproducible fault with an available part is different from an intermittent failure, unstable storage, custom hardware, or a model-specific laptop repair.
- Major findings and authorization decisions are communicated
- New problems are presented before added work begins
- Completed work and remaining limitations are explained
Diagnostics and repairs have different timelines.
The diagnostic must be completed before an accurate repair path, parts requirement, testing plan, and realistic completion estimate can be established.
Parts availability affects completion.
Model-specific batteries, laptop assemblies, uncommon power supplies, replacement screens, and other customer-specific hardware may require ordering.
Testing time is part of the repair.
Crashes, shutdowns, overheating, storage errors, and intermittent instability may need realistic observation before handoff.
Same-day completion is not guaranteed.
Intake, diagnostics, authorization, parts, configuration, updates, data work, and validation can extend the service even when physical repair is brief.
Service timelineRequest, confirm, diagnose, approve, complete.
Tell us what the computer is doing
Submitting the service request is free and gives us the details needed to plan the next step.
Agree on the service method, scope, fee, and appointment
Drop-off, pickup, on-site, or remote service is confirmed before paid work begins. See our service-area information.
Inspect, reproduce, and isolate the failure
Testing follows the reported symptoms and identified risks.
Review the findings and repair options
Parts and additional work wait for customer authorization.
Repair, validate, document, and hand off
The finished system is returned with relevant limitations explained.
After-service supportSupport applies to the completed work, not every future computer problem.
The handoff should identify what was repaired, what was tested, and any support period or limitation attached to that specific service. New symptoms or unrelated failures may require a new ticket.
- Questions about the completed work
- Review of the documented repair result
- Defined workmanship support where stated
- Separate scope for unrelated new problems
- Manufacturer terms for replacement parts
- No implied unlimited or lifetime support
Diagnostic fee and authorizationHow a free service request becomes an approved paid diagnostic, and what remains separate.
The service request is free. Paid diagnostic work begins only after the scope, fee, and service method are confirmed.
Start by describing the device, symptoms, recent changes, and desired result. Circuit Craftworks reviews the request and confirms how the device will reach us. If a paid diagnostic is appropriate, the fee and scope are confirmed before testing begins.
Service request · no chargeParts, repairs, upgrades, data work, operating-system changes, and extended testing remain separate decisions. Do not assume that a diagnostic fee will be credited toward later work unless the confirmed service offer explicitly says so.
Wait for a confirmed appointment time and drop-off instructions. Submitting a request does not authorize an unconfirmed walk-in or unattended equipment drop-off.
Answers before you start.
01 · Service selectionWhat if I do not know what is wrong?
That is exactly when a diagnostic is appropriate. Describe what the computer does, when it happens, and what changed recently. You do not need to identify the failed component or choose the final repair before testing begins.
02 · Repair authorizationWill you repair the computer automatically after diagnosing it?
No. Findings and repair options are presented before additional labor, customer-specific parts, operating-system work, data services, or unrelated repairs proceed. You may approve, decline, or ask questions.
03 · TurnaroundHow long does a diagnostic take?
Timing depends on the symptom, current workload, device condition, data risk, whether the problem reproduces, and whether extended observation is necessary. Same-day findings are not guaranteed. State any real deadline before scheduling.
04 · PartsCan I bring my own replacement component?
Possibly, after compatibility and condition are reviewed. Customer-supplied hardware may be incomplete, damaged, counterfeit, incompatible, or unsuitable for the repair goal. Installation acceptance does not create a manufacturer or seller warranty through Circuit Craftworks.
More questionsFees, data, passwords, repair value, multiple issues, and appointments
05 · Diagnostic feeIs the diagnostic free if I approve the repair?
Not automatically. The diagnostic fee pays for the investigation unless the confirmed diagnostic offer explicitly states that some amount is credited toward approved work.
06 · Multiple problemsWhat if the computer has more than one issue?
Confirmed and observed conditions can be separated into required, recommended, optional, unrelated, and outside-scope items. Discovering another issue does not automatically authorize its repair.
07 · DataWill my files be erased during diagnostics?
Destructive operating-system changes, drive formatting, and similar actions should not be performed as ordinary diagnostic steps without an approved reason. Failing hardware and unstable storage can still create independent data risk, so important files and backup status should be identified first.
08 · PasswordsDo you need my login password?
Not in every case. Some testing can be completed without entering the customer’s normal account. When access is necessary, a temporary technician account, supervised login, or separate limited handoff may be used. Do not place passwords in ordinary text messages or intake fields.
09 · Repair valueWhat if the repair is not worth the cost?
The recommendation should say so. A diagnostic can lead to replacement, migration, data transfer, referral, or stopping without additional work. The purpose is to make a better decision, not to force every computer into a repair.
10 · AppointmentsCan I bring the computer over right after I submit a request?
Only after receiving a confirmed appointment time and drop-off instructions. Circuit Craftworks is appointment-based and does not accept unconfirmed walk-ins or unattended equipment drop-offs.
Tell us what the PC is doing.
You do not need a diagnosis before contacting us. Describe the problem or the upgrade you want, and we’ll guide the next step.
Additional repairs, parts, operating-system changes, and data work require your approval.
See the full price list for current service pricing.