PC Repairs & Hardware Upgrades in Nanaimo

There are a lot of things that can go wrong with a PC and thankfully most of them are fixable. Here are the common problems Big Mike deals with most often:

• Laptop battery is dead or doesn't hold a charge
• Machine is running slow
• Spilled something on the laptop keyboard
• Hard drive is full
• Virus and malware issues and activities
• Just got a new printer and don't have a clue how to set it up
• Issues with email: spam, setup, old unused account still on machine
• Computer won't power up—worked fine yesterday but today it's dead

For most users, the cry is the same: "I just need it to work." That's where Big Mike does his magic and makes it all work. You don't need to learn how the machine works or hear about all the cool things your computer COULD be doing if it weren't broken. You just need it to work—and that's exactly what we deliver.

Simple Fixes First

Sometimes the answer is simple. Computer won't power up? There have been times where we just temporarily removed the motherboard battery and voila! Problem solved. We always start with the easiest diagnosis before moving to more complex troubleshooting.

When It Gets Complex

Other times the problem requires a lot of troubleshooting steps before the answer finally becomes obvious. And sometimes that troubleshooting can take a long time to complete. Say, for example, a person has an infection, a slow drive, AND the drive is 98 percent full. That situation is going to take a long time to resolve.

The Best Solution

In complicated cases, the easiest and best thing to do is usually to install a new SSD hard drive and get the OS up and running fresh. While that's happening, we hook up your old hard drive to another clean machine, try to delete unneeded files to make room, and run a scan. Once the drive is deemed free from virus and malware, we start moving your important data off the old drive to the new one. All that could take several hours, but we won't leave you with an 8-hour labor bill—we'll give you a good neighbourly deal we can both be happy with.

Two upgrades consistently bring older machines back to life:

SSD Hard Drive Upgrade

Upgrading an old machine with a new SSD drive is a transformational hardware upgrade. Your computer boots faster, programs launch instantly, and everything feels snappier. Many older PCs become fully usable again after an SSD upgrade. We can migrate your existing system and all your data to the new drive without losing anything.

Adding More RAM

Adding more RAM to almost any older machine makes a noticeable difference in performance. If you're running out of memory or your machine bogs down with multiple programs open, a RAM upgrade gives you the performance boost you need at a fraction of the cost of a new computer.

Laptop Battery Replacement

If your laptop battery won't hold a charge, we can replace it quickly. No more hunting for an outlet in every room—get back to the portability your laptop is supposed to offer.

Free Diagnosis First

We start by diagnosing your computer to pinpoint exactly what's wrong and what needs to be fixed or upgraded. You'll get a clear explanation of the problem, your options, and the cost before we proceed with any work.

Honest Recommendations

We never push upgrades you don't need. If your computer is worth fixing, we'll tell you. If it makes more sense to replace it, we'll tell you that too. Our goal is to solve your problem in the most cost-effective way.

Professional Installation

Hardware upgrades and repairs are delicate work. We handle your equipment with care, use proper tools and techniques, and ensure everything is installed correctly and securely.

On-Site or In-Shop

Choose what works for you. We can upgrade or repair your computer at your home or office, or bring it to our shop in Nanaimo's north end. Either way, you get the same quality service.

The cost of repairs and upgrades varies depending on what you need:

• Dust cleaning and maintenance: $50–$100 (includes full virus scan and Windows Updates check)
• RAM upgrade: Cost of RAM plus $60 for install and test
• SSD installation: Cost of SSD plus $60 for install and test
• Reloading macOS or Windows: $140 (includes all drivers and updates)
• Hardware repairs or replacement: Varies by component

We'll give you a detailed quote that breaks down labor and parts so you know exactly what you're paying for. No surprises, no hidden fees.

• Experience: Over 15 years fixing and upgrading computers
• Local: We serve Nanaimo and the surrounding areas—we're your neighbors
• Honest: We'll assess your machine and situation like it was our own and give you honest recommendations. I ask myself, "What would I want done if I were in your situation?"
• Professional: Quality workmanship on every repair and upgrade
• Affordable: We find cost-effective solutions that fit your budget
• Flexible: Work on-site or in-shop, whatever suits you best

Big Mike Computer Services provides professional PC repairs and hardware upgrades across Nanaimo, North Nanaimo, Lantzville, and surrounding areas. Whether you need a RAM upgrade, an SSD installation, or help with a hardware problem—we provide quality service with free pickup and drop-off.

When your computer needs work, waiting only makes things worse. We work fast without cutting corners, and we come to you. Our North Nanaimo location puts us close to most neighborhoods, so we can respond quickly and get your computer back in your hands fixed and running great.

Service areas include:

• Downtown Nanaimo
• North Nanaimo
• South Nanaimo
• Lantzville
• Surrounding Nanaimo neighborhoods