Your computer doesn't have to be a mystery, and fixing it shouldn't feel like a gamble. Wrench & Ram is a two-person crew that handles the whole spectrum of computer work — the everyday laptop that won't boot, the family desktop crawling under junkware, and the gaming rig you want pushed to its limit. We diagnose first, explain it in plain English, and you decide what happens next. No upsells you didn't ask for, no parts swapped "just to see."
Whether you're a casual user who just wants email and photos back, or a builder who knows the difference between CL30 and CL36 RAM, you'll get the same thing from us: a straight answer, a clear quote, and careful hands on your hardware. We treat your machine — and your data — like it's our own.
We work on-site at your place, you can drop off with us, and for a lot of software issues we can fix it remotely while you watch. Reach us at 515-240-5049 or [email protected].
What we handle
Diagnostics & Troubleshooting
Most repairs start with one question: what's actually wrong? We run a full diagnostic before we touch a single part — testing storage health, memory, temperatures, power delivery, the boot chain, and whether a problem is hardware, software, or both. You get a clear write-up of what we found and what it'll take to fix, so you're never paying for guesswork.
- Won't power on, won't boot, blue screens, random shutdowns, and freezes
- Slow performance, overheating, loud fans, and thermal throttling
- Crashes during games or heavy work — driver, GPU, RAM, or PSU isolated
- No-display, beep-code, and POST troubleshooting on desktops and laptops
- Storage health (SMART) checks and failing-drive early warnings
- Clear diagnosis and quote before any paid repair work begins
Virus, Malware & Junkware Removal
A computer that's slow, full of pop-ups, or acting strange usually doesn't need replacing — it needs cleaning out. We remove viruses, malware, spyware, browser hijackers, and the pile of bloatware that builds up over time, then verify the system is actually clean instead of just quieter. We'll also walk you through simple habits to keep it that way.
- Virus, malware, ransomware, and spyware detection and removal
- Browser hijacker, toolbar, and adware cleanup
- Removal of pre-installed bloatware and startup junk that slows boots
- Account and password security review after an infection
- Verification that the machine is clean and stable before it goes back to you
Hardware Repair & Upgrades
When a part fails or your machine just can't keep up, we repair and upgrade rather than push you toward buying new. From a quick memory bump to a full storage swap or a graphics-card upgrade, we'll tell you honestly whether an upgrade is worth it for your machine — or whether your money is better spent elsewhere.
- RAM upgrades for faster multitasking and smoother gaming
- Storage upgrades — swap old hard drives for fast SSDs/NVMe, with your data moved over
- Graphics card (GPU) installs and upgrades, with PSU and thermal headroom checked
- Power supply (PSU) diagnosis and replacement for stability and safety
- Cooling fixes — fan replacement, fresh thermal paste, dust-out, and airflow tuning
- Laptop repairs: batteries, charging ports, keyboards, screens, fans, and storage
Custom PC Builds
Tell us your budget and what you want to do — 1440p gaming, streaming, video editing, CAD, a quiet home office box — and we'll spec a build that hits it without paying for parts you won't use. We assemble it clean, with proper cable management, install and update everything, stress-test it, and hand it over ready to go. Bringing your own parts is welcome too.
- Builds sized to your real goals and budget, not the most expensive shelf
- Part selection that balances CPU, GPU, RAM, cooling, and PSU correctly
- Clean assembly, cable management, BIOS setup, and driver updates
- Stress-testing and thermal validation before you ever turn it on
- Assembly of customer-supplied parts, plus tested used parts to stretch a budget
Data Backup & Recovery
Your files are usually the part you can't replace. Before any risky work we offer to back up your data, and when a drive fails or files vanish we'll work to get them back. We're upfront about what's recoverable and what isn't — and if a job needs a specialized clean-room lab, we'll tell you that instead of charging you to find out.
- Backups taken before reinstalls, upgrades, or any risky repair
- Recovery of files from failing or corrupted drives where possible
- Setup of reliable backup routines — external drives or cloud — so it doesn't happen twice
- Photo, document, and account-data migration to a new machine or drive
- Honest assessment of recovery odds before you commit to anything
OS Reinstalls & Tune-Ups
Sometimes the fastest, cheapest fix is a clean slate. We do full operating-system reinstalls and from-scratch setups, plus lighter tune-ups when the machine just needs a refresh. Either way we back up your data first, reinstall your programs and drivers, apply updates, and hand it back fast and stable.
- Clean OS reinstalls and fresh setups with your data preserved
- Driver, firmware, and update installs done properly
- Startup cleanup, storage cleanup, and performance tuning
- New-PC setup, account migration, and program reinstalls
- Tune-ups that bring an aging machine back to usable without new hardware
We Buy, Sell & Install Used Parts
Good hardware shouldn't go to waste, and a tight budget shouldn't mean a bad machine. We buy, sell, and install quality used parts — and every part we sell is tested, cleaned, and backed by a warranty. It's a smart way to upgrade or build for less, with someone standing behind the part instead of a stranger on a marketplace.
- Tested and verified before it ever changes hands — no untested unknowns
- Cleaned and inspected, not just wiped down
- Backed by a [warranty length] warranty on parts we sell
- Pro installation available so the part works the first time
- We'll buy your working pulls and old parts, or trade toward your upgrade
Drop-Off, On-Site & Remote Help
You shouldn't have to rearrange your life to get a computer fixed. Drop it off with us, have us come to you for on-site work, or — for a lot of software problems — let us fix it remotely while you sit at your own desk. We'll recommend whichever option gets you back up and running fastest for your situation.
- Drop-off service for repairs, builds, and upgrades
- In-home and on-site visits across [service area] for desktops, networks, and setups
- Remote support for virus removal, tune-ups, setup help, and software fixes
- Flexible scheduling around [hours]
- [typical response time] response on most requests
How it works
- Describe the issueCall, email, or send a message telling us what's going on — what it's doing, when it started, and what you need back. The more detail, the faster we can zero in.
- DiagnosisWe run a full diagnostic to find the real root cause — hardware, software, or both — instead of guessing. Drop-off, on-site, or remote, depending on the problem.
- Quote & approvalYou get a clear, plain-English explanation of what's wrong and an upfront quote. Nothing paid gets done until you approve it. No surprise charges.
- Repair or buildWe do the work cleanly and carefully — backing up your data first when there's any risk to it, and using tested, warrantied parts where parts are needed.
- TestingBefore anything comes back to you, we test it. That means stress-testing builds, checking temps and stability, and confirming the original problem is actually gone.
- Return & follow-upYou get your machine back ready to use, with a plain rundown of what we did. Questions afterward? Reach out — we stand behind our work.
Why us vs. the usual shop
| What matters | Wrench & Ram | The usual shop |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis approach | Full diagnostic and root-cause first, explained in plain English | Quick guesses or parts swapped "to see what works" |
| Quotes | Upfront quote, no paid work without your approval | Surprise charges and add-ons at pickup |
| Your data | Backed up before risky work; honest recovery odds | Data treated as an afterthought |
| Used parts | Tested, cleaned, and warrantied for [warranty length] | Untested marketplace parts with no recourse |
| Who handles it | A small two-person crew you actually talk to | A rotating counter and a back-room you never see |
| Service options | Drop-off, on-site, and remote help | Drop-off only, on their schedule |
| Custom builds | Budget-matched, balanced, stress-tested before handoff | Overpriced prebuilts or no build service at all |
Frequently asked
How much will my repair cost?
It depends on what's actually wrong, which is exactly why we diagnose first. After the diagnostic you'll get a clear, upfront quote, and no paid work happens until you approve it. Diagnostic and repair pricing starts at [starting price] — ask us and we'll give you a straight answer for your situation.
Will I lose my files, photos, or programs?
Not if we can help it. Before any reinstall, upgrade, or risky repair we offer to back up your data first. If a drive is already failing, we'll be honest about what's recoverable before you commit to anything.
Do you work on both laptops and desktops?
Yes — both. Everyday laptops and desktops, all-in-ones, and custom gaming and workstation rigs. From a slow family computer to a high-end build, it's all in our wheelhouse.
Can you fix it remotely so I don't have to bring it in?
For a lot of software issues — virus removal, tune-ups, setup help, configuration — yes, we can fix it remotely while you watch. Hardware problems need hands on the machine, so for those we offer drop-off or on-site service.
Are the used parts you sell safe to rely on?
Yes. Every used part we sell is tested, cleaned, inspected, and backed by a [warranty length] warranty. It's a budget-friendly way to upgrade or build, with us standing behind the part rather than rolling the dice on a marketplace stranger.
Can you build me a custom PC for a specific budget?
Absolutely. Tell us your budget and what you'll use it for, and we'll spec a balanced build that hits your goals without paying for parts you don't need. We'll assemble it, set it up, stress-test it, and hand it over ready to go. You can also bring your own parts.
Do you offer on-site or in-home service?
Yes. We come to you across [service area] for repairs, setups, networking, and builds, on top of drop-off and remote options. We'll recommend whichever gets you running fastest.