We bought a computer from big box store "BB" and also bought the extended warranty which was for 4 years. Six months before the warranty ran out, we had it in the shop at BB for 3 different times. They had to send it in, it took 6 weeks to get back and still wasn't fixed. After the third time they told us to pick something out we liked and we could spend up to the amount we had on the computer we had bought. (it was about $3200.00 as it was when they were first becoming popular.) Computers had then come down in price and we also were able to get a Panasonic tv and just pay the difference for what it cost. I think we paid $32.00 for it. Had to ask the manager if we could do this and he said YES.) Be sure you get an extended warranty when buying a computer. It usually pays off in alot of cases.