Check this first
The short answer
Compare evidence of a fault, warranty coverage, replaceable parts, what the repaired PC can do and the full cost including data migration. Keep using it if settings changes meet your needs; compare an upgrade if a specific shortfall is clear and the part is replaceable; ask about repair if there are warning signs. If information is missing, investigate and get a quote first. Age or a fixed “half the price of a new PC” rule cannot decide this on their own.
- Liquid has entered the PC, it was recently wet, or there is an unusual smell, smoke, swelling or dangerously high heat: stop using and charging the PC and contact the manufacturer. Do not force it to start for diagnostics or a backup.
- Critical storage warning: prioritize important backups only if the PC is safe to use. If files cannot be copied, stop repeated writes or resets and ask about preserving the data.
- No danger signs: gather your requirements, model, warranty, upgrade options and a repair quote before comparing.
Four starting points before spending money
These are editorial categories for choosing the next check, not a purchase recommendation. A diagnostic result or utilization figure alone cannot confirm that a component has failed.
- Try settings first: You have recorded an improvement after changing an app or graphics setting. If the improved setup meets your needs, continuing to use the PC without buying anything is an option.
- Check a possible performance shortfall: The PC falls short of the software’s official requirements, or you have identified a limitation in your normal workload. Check the model specifications and full cost to see whether compatible RAM, storage or a GPU upgrade would meet your needs.
- Suspected fault: ask about repair: Manufacturer diagnostic errors, storage warnings or repeated whole-PC problems warrant attention. Preserve important data and check the warranty and inspection or repair quote. A warning does not establish the faulty part or repair price.
- Not enough information: The affected tasks, required performance, PC model or quote are unknown. Do not count an unknown as a pass: return to symptom checks and gather the missing information.
“No fault found” does not mean replacement is necessary. A short diagnostic test that finds no errors also cannot guarantee that everything is working correctly.
Official guidance behind these checks:
Choose your next check
Start with the row that matches your situation. Change one setting at a time so you can tell what helped.
| What you see | What to compare | Go to |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid entry or recent wetting, unusual smell, swelling, dangerous heat or a critical storage warning | Prioritize safety and data preservation; do not run a stress test to compare costs | Step 1 |
| Slow, but settings help; or performance requirements are unclear | Check your workload, official requirements and results before and after a change | Step 2 |
| You want to replace only RAM, storage or another component | Check model-specific compatibility, replaceability, labor and migration costs | Step 3 |
| You have a repair quote or are considering replacement | Compare warranty, what will be fixed, data handling, total cost and turnaround on the same basis | Step 4 |
Check in this order
Read the safety check first, then open the steps you need from STEP 2 onward.
Continue this issue
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Step 1: Protect yourself and your data; check the warranty
- If liquid has entered the PC, it was recently wet, or there is smoke, an unusual smell, swelling or dangerous heat, stop using and charging the PC. Disconnect its power supply only if you can do so safely. Do not touch hot parts; contact the manufacturer. Do not remove a swollen battery or open a power supply.
- If there are no danger signs and the PC is safe to use, prioritize copying important files to separate storage when there is a critical storage warning or suspected fault. Do not start with a reset, reinstall, benchmark or repeated repair attempts. If the data cannot be read, ask about preserving it.
- Check the purchase date, model, manufacturer or retailer warranty, extended coverage and exclusions. You do not need to paste warranty documents containing personal details or a serial number into a website diagnosis or public comment. For a work or school PC, contact its administrator.
- Expected result or what you learned
- You know the safety concerns, warranty contact and whether important data is backed up.
- If something is wrong or unclear
- If there are danger signs or unreadable data, seek help rather than repeatedly powering on or dismantling the PC.
- How to undo changes
- Do not resume use just to make a comparison. Wait for the manufacturer’s advice before using it again, and verify your backup after the repair.
Step 2: Separate settings issues from insufficient performance
- Define what you want to run comfortably: documents, several apps at once, or a specific game at your target quality and resolution. Compare the software’s official minimum and recommended requirements with your OS, CPU, RAM, GPU and available storage.
- Only if there are no danger signs or critical warnings, close unnecessary apps and check storage space or graphics settings one change at a time. Compare ordinary use before and after. Do not choose a replacement part based only on a 100% utilization reading.
- If the settings changes are satisfactory, keeping the current PC is an option. Go to Step 3 if you have identified a shortfall. Contact repair support for suspected faults such as power loss or diagnostic errors. If the result is unclear, postpone the purchase decision.
- Expected result or what you learned
- You can distinguish improvements from settings changes from the hardware shortfalls that affect your needs.
- If something is wrong or unclear
- A problem limited to one game may involve its updates, settings or software. Replacing the PC is not guaranteed to fix it.
- How to undo changes
- Restore any comparison settings to the original values you recorded. Do not use data deletion or a reset as a comparison test.
Step 3: Check whether compatible parts can meet your needs
- Use the model’s official specifications or service information to check soldered RAM, free slots, supported capacity, SSD interface and GPU, power-supply or case constraints. Some laptop and all-in-one parts are not replaceable. You do not need to dismantle the PC yourself.
- An SSD replacement may address capacity or storage-related limitations; it does not increase CPU or GPU performance. More RAM is an option when memory is insufficient, not a fix for every freeze.
- Include parts, labor, diagnosis, shipping, OS setup, data migration, extra components and the warranty after the work. For failed storage, ask about data recovery separately: its price and feasibility differ from ordinary migration.
- If compatibility is uncertain, the PC is under warranty, or there is a battery or power-supply problem, ask the manufacturer or repair shop about compatibility and the scope of work before buying parts or opening the PC.
- Expected result or what you learned
- You know what can be replaced, what it would improve and the total upgrade cost.
- If something is wrong or unclear
- If the part cannot be replaced, the result would not meet your needs or compatibility is unclear, get repair or replacement quotes before buying parts.
- How to undo changes
- Getting a quote requires no hardware change. Ask about restoring the previous setup and return eligibility before ordering.
Step 4: Compare three options: repair, upgrade or a new PC
- Write down one thing the PC needs to do, such as playing your current game at the same settings. Compare the options below that can meet that need. If settings changes are enough, keeping the PC is also an option.
- Here, repair means fixing a fault; an upgrade means adding performance or capacity. Replacing a broken part is also a repair. Check your model to find out which parts can be replaced.
- Compare the amount you pay after warranty coverage, including tax and shipping. Add only necessary costs that are missing from the quote; do not count included items twice. Leave unknown fees marked for confirmation, not as zero.
- Alongside the price, check the warranty after repair or purchase, when the PC will be usable, and support for the OS and required software. Ask separately about data recovery: it differs from ordinary migration in cost and feasibility.
Repair, upgrade and replacement compared
| Option | What it can do and limits | Total to compare |
|---|---|---|
| Repair: fix a fault in your current PC | Aims to restore what the PC could already do. Fixing the fault does not necessarily improve performance that was already insufficient. | Diagnosis + repair parts + labor + shipping + required migration and setup. Confirm the amount you pay after warranty coverage. |
| Upgrade: improve your current PC | Addresses a known shortfall, such as RAM or storage capacity. Check compatibility. An SSD does not boost CPU or GPU performance, and an upgrade may not fix an unexplained fault. | Compatible parts + installation + required supporting components + shipping + migration and setup. Add diagnosis if charged separately. |
| Replace: buy a different PC | Lets you choose a PC with the performance you need. Check software and peripheral compatibility. It is not a guaranteed fix for a game or software problem. | PC + shipping + required software and peripherals + migration and setup + disposal of the old PC. |
- Expected result or what you learned
- You can compare options that meet the same need by total cost, warranty and days without a usable PC.
- If something is wrong or unclear
- If details are missing, wait before buying. Confirm what the repair covers, the extra-charge limit and approval process, and whether data will be erased.
- How to undo changes
- Comparing makes no changes. Before ordering, check diagnosis and return-shipping fees if you decline or cancel, and when the quote expires.
Official repair and parts-replacement price examples (tax included)
These are published Japanese service examples checked on 10 October 2026, not averages or quotes for your PC. Models and service scope differ; prices from different providers are not combined into a market price range.
Prices checked: 2026-10-10
Candidates are not confirmed failed parts or mandatory purchases. Stop use and charging if liquid has entered the PC, it was recently wet, or there is an unusual smell, swelling or dangerous heat; contact the manufacturer. Prioritize safe backup/professional advice for a critical storage warning. Request separate diagnostic, parts, labor, shipping, migration and cancellation charges, a total, and approval before extra work.
Show/hide detailed prices (27 examples)
| Service / provider | Published price (JPY, tax included) | Scope and conditions |
|---|---|---|
| One-coin basic diagnostic service PC Koubou | 500 JPY Parts replacement: not included in this diagnostic/setup service Service fee | An optional basic check, not comprehensive fault identification, disassembly, repair or replacement. Confirm detailed diagnostic and repair charges separately. Not a mandatory initial charge for every model. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) Tax-inclusive price confirmation (Japanese) |
| RAM installation or replacement PC Koubou | 3,500 JPY Parts: extra (labor only) Labor only | Parts not included. Check the memory standard, free slots and maximum capacity. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| SSD or HDD installation or replacement PC Koubou | 4,000 JPY Parts: extra (labor only) Labor only | Parts and data migration not included. Check the interface and mounting location. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| Example: replacement with a 500GB SATA SSD and migration Dospara | 28,500 JPY Parts: included (specified SSD example) Specified configuration example | Official example: JPY 16,500 labor + JPY 12,000 SSD (published price basis: June 2026). Does not include recovery from failed storage. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| Graphics card replacement PC Koubou | 4,500 JPY Parts: extra (labor only) Labor only | GPU not included. For desktops that support replacement. Check power, dimensions and connectors. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| Graphics card replacement Dospara | 11,000 JPY Parts: extra (labor only) Labor only | GPU not included. Does not apply to soldered laptop GPUs. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| CPU replacement PC Koubou | 5,000 JPY Parts: extra (labor only) Labor only | CPU not included. Check the desktop socket and configuration compatibility. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| CPU cooling fan replacement Dospara | 11,000 JPY Parts: extra (labor only) Labor only | For desktops. Parts and cleaning not included. Do not apply this price to all laptop fans, liquid coolers or case fans. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| Internal cleaning Dospara | 4,000 / 6,500 / 9,500 JPY Parts replacement: not included; consumables may cost extra Service fee | Service fees for the Basic / Manzoku / for Game plans. Consumables may cost extra. Not a fault repair or a guarantee of lower temperatures. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| Power supply unit replacement PC Koubou | 8,000 JPY Parts: extra (labor only) Labor only | Parts not included. Desktop-only; excludes manufacturer-brand PCs and laptops. Do not open the power supply yourself. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| Motherboard replacement PC Koubou | 10,000 JPY Parts: extra (labor only) Labor only | Parts not included. Confirm the configuration, OS license and whether replacement is supported. A questionnaire cannot establish which component has failed. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| Battery repair NEC | 29,480–32,780 JPY Parts: confirm inclusion in the quote Manufacturer repair estimate | Manufacturer repair estimate. If the battery is swollen, stop use and charging; do not replace it yourself. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| Power supply repair NEC | 41,580–44,880 JPY Parts: confirm inclusion in the quote Manufacturer repair estimate | Manufacturer repair estimate. Separate parts and labor amounts are not published. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| SSD repair NEC | 48,950 JPY– Parts: confirm inclusion in the quote Manufacturer repair estimate | Includes OS installation. Individual quote required. Do not assume data migration or recovery is included. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| HDD repair NEC | 59,840–63,140 JPY Parts: confirm inclusion in the quote Manufacturer repair estimate | Includes OS installation. Data recovery not included. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| Memory repair NEC | 57,860–61,160 JPY Parts: confirm inclusion in the quote Manufacturer repair estimate | Manufacturer repair estimate, not the standalone price of a RAM module. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| Mainboard repair NEC | 61,160–71,830 JPY Parts: confirm inclusion in the quote Manufacturer repair estimate | Category includes boards with a CPU assembly. The model and extra work may require a separate quote. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| LCD repair: 12–under 16 inches / 16–under 19 inches NEC | 69,410–72,710 / 90,860–94,160 JPY Parts: confirm inclusion in the quote Manufacturer repair estimate | Under 12 inches, 19 inches or larger, touch, IGZO, 4K and other variants require individual quotes. Not an external monitor repair price. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| Laptop keyboard repair NEC | 17,930–21,230 JPY Parts: confirm inclusion in the quote Manufacturer repair estimate | An integrated cover assembly with a touchpad or similar parts starts at JPY 38,060; some need individual quotes. Not for an external keyboard. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| AC adapter repair NEC | 20,790–24,090 JPY Parts: confirm inclusion in the quote Manufacturer repair estimate | Manufacturer service price, not the retail price of a standalone adapter. Confirm the specified compatibility. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| LAN or wireless LAN board repair NEC | 39,930–43,230 JPY Parts: confirm inclusion in the quote Manufacturer repair estimate | A connection failure alone does not establish a board fault. Rule out settings and connection-service problems. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| Speaker repair NEC | 27,720–39,050 JPY Parts: confirm inclusion in the quote Manufacturer repair estimate | Check the selected audio output and mute settings before requesting repair. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| DVD / Blu-ray drive repair NEC | 51,590–54,890 / 70,400–73,700 JPY Parts: confirm inclusion in the quote Manufacturer repair estimate | Check the model and available compatible parts. Not the purchase price of an external drive. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| OS reinstallation or adjustment that restores operation NEC | 18,810 JPY Parts replacement: not included in this diagnostic/setup service Service fee | Price for each service. Component replacement is quoted separately. Preserve necessary data and recovery keys before resetting. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| Full-drive data backup Dospara | 13,800 JPY + destination media Destination media: extra Service fee | Cloning to storage of equal or greater capacity. Failed media or damaged data may be excluded. Separate from setting up apps on a new PC or recovering data. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| HDD or SSD data recovery Dospara | 5,980 JPY＋38,500 / 77,000 / 154,000 JPY Replacement parts: not included; delivery media over 2 TB costs extra Service fee | The assessment fee applies whether or not recovery succeeds. Recovery prices are examples for minor / moderate / severe cases; a questionnaire cannot determine the category. Serious faults require individual quotes. Delivery media above 2TB costs extra, and some media require an initial work fee. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
| Charging port, hinges, case, soldered laptop parts, liquid cooling and more Manufacturer or repair provider | Individual quote Parts: confirm inclusion in the quote Individual quote | Depends on the model and fault; no verified universal fee. This does not mean free. Official prices and terms ↗ (Japanese) |
Shared pricing conditions
PC Koubou: the JPY 500 basic diagnostic menu is optional; detailed diagnosis and repairs are separate. Other e-ticket examples are labor only; parts are extra. Inclusion of a diagnostic fee is unconfirmed. Mail-in return shipping is extra; a JPY 2,000 fee per part bought elsewhere may apply. Confirm eligible models and work before ordering. FAQ (Japanese)
NEC: manufacturer repair estimates dated 31 July 2026 for eligible LAVIE, Mate, VersaPro and similar models; N11, Tab and GIGA models are excluded. Parts/labor breakdowns are not published. Additional parts, damage, liquid exposure or multiple faults require separate quotes. Designated collection service includes shipping; cancellation after collection costs JPY 6,600 in diagnostic fees, tax included. NEC (Japanese)
Dospara: mail-in shipping is extra; optional packing service adds JPY 2,200 including tax. Ordinary migration/backup and recovery from damaged media are different services. Replacing the PC does not eliminate separate recovery costs for the original damaged drive.
When to ask for help
Before contacting support, gather the model, intended use, symptoms, warranty status, backup status and what the quote includes. Do not post passwords, recovery keys, serial numbers or complete logs publicly. This page and the web diagnosis cannot identify a failed component, set a repair price or establish that replacement is necessary.
FAQ
Should I replace a PC that is more than five years old?
Age alone cannot decide this. Check whether it meets your needs, warranty and parts availability, OS and software support, the actual fault and the total repair cost. Keeping it is an option if it works and meets your needs.
Should I replace it if repair costs more than half of a new PC?
That is not a universal threshold. The new PC’s performance, migration costs, post-repair warranty, data and your requirements can change the answer. Compare the full cost of options that meet the same needs.
Will replacing just the SSD or RAM fix it?
First identify the shortfall or fault and confirm model compatibility. An SSD does not boost CPU or GPU performance, and more RAM does not fix every crash. Some configurations, including soldered memory, cannot be upgraded.
Does “no fault found” mean I need a new PC?
No. Distinguish settings or software issues, insufficient performance for your needs and faults that did not occur during inspection. One clean diagnostic result neither guarantees a healthy PC nor means you need to buy another.
Report an error in this guide (Japanese)
Sources
We checked the official guidance below and organized the comparisons and decision categories editorially. Follow the manufacturer’s model-specific advice. The examples are troubleshooting aids, not results of hands-on testing across all devices. Linked Japanese sources and Japan-based cost examples retain their original scope.
Lenovo: safely stopping power after a liquid spillMicrosoft: what to do about a critical storage-device warning (Japanese)HP: stop using a PC with a swollen batteryMicrosoft: improving PC performance (Japanese)Dell: distinguishing power, startup and video problems (Japanese)