Refurbisher who actually restores to excellent working condition

Recently, my Win 7 Home Premium laptop became inoperable (long story), so I bought a refurbished Win 7 (has to be Win 7 as Win 8/8.1 for non-touch, for me, was a nightmare and I refuse to re-live it. If it worked for you great, but it didn't for me) Pro laptop (different model and manufacturer than my previous one) from a MS Certified Refurbisher with very high positive ratings at a good price, excellent return policy, one year warranty and GUARANTEED to work properly. From my first use, one problem after another. Win 7 Pro not properly installed, would boot to Boot Manager instead of desktop every single time, numerous error codes when trying to download updates, and finally, the board for the wireless connection died. My other wifi connected items worked and connected with no problems. All of this within three days (including the day I received it). I explained all to the seller/refurbisher and was sent a prepaid return label with rma and a prompt refund.

Not deterred, I decided to buy from a different refurbisher, different model Win 7 Pro laptop, and that worked great, for ONE day. It became so slow that instead of seconds to download or open pages, it took 5-7 minutes to open pages. For the next download of MS updates, 216 of them, literally, 9 hours later, only 164 had been downloaded (not installed, just download). For previous pc's I've owned, it took just minutes to download and install even more updates. By the way, my WiFi connection was up and working fine. Returned that, received a prepaid label, rma and prompt refund.

Third time, after checking the reviews, I bought a brand new desktop, small form factor, also Win 7 Pro. Straight out of the box, numerous error codes when trying to download updates, though pc showed wifi was connected, pages would not load. During these experiences, and now, I was using my Kindle Fire to access the internet for possible solutions, none of which worked for the laptops and new desktop. I also contacted the manufacturer's tech support for the new desktop and they determined it was defective and to return it. The seller is balking on a prepaid label, but because I bought it through Amazon, they have agreed to help if the seller (3rd party) won't.

Due to all of this, my Kindle Fire, which I primarily used for reading and apps has been great and I am impressed. However, I really need a desktop or laptop in excellent working condition as I am self employed which requires a lot of time online and quite a bit of word processing and printing.

My previous desktops, bought brand new, never had these problems. They always lasted a minimum of 5 years which is why I'm leaning more towards another desktop, but will consider a laptop.

By the way, these last three were Win 7 PRO, not Home Premium which was problem-free.

I'm willing to try another refurbisher, but would like references on refurbishers who actually do restore a desktop or laptop to excellent working condition without paying the same price as a new one.

Thank you in advance for your help. Jane

Walmart has great deals on refurbs. My father has been very please with the desktop Dell he has. What kind of price range are you looking to stay in? Wouldn't it be easier to buy new and have no headaches?

Thrash, it's obvious that you are extremely knowledgeable when it comes to tech, light years ahead of me and probably own more than one desktop and laptop, all of which are probably in excellent condition. So, I propose that you send me one of yours, your choice, and turn my :-( into a

I'll pay the shipping. Jane

Hi, my five year old desktop, an Emachine (32-bit, 2gb ram, 320 HD) which was great and absolutely no headaches, just slow after 5 years and not very portable. Unfortunately, it is still in my storage unit in Akron, OH, and I am in Miamisburg (Dayton area). I moved with my laptop never dreaming that it would fail so completely after two years. I'll be in the Akron area in mid-October and will bring the rest of my property at that time. I was also considering having two pc's, in different rooms, each serving as a backup for the other and possibly the desktop also serving as a printer server, so I still plan on buying another desktop or laptop. My budget is $250 max with Win 7, refurbished with the thinking I would get more for my money or new.

By the way, I knew there was a good chance my proposal might be shot down but I thought "What the heke, give it a shot". It never hurts to ask. Jane

Thanks. I was also looking through Newegg. What do you think of this?

Sorry about that. I had included a link to another desktop I found on Newegg, but the link did not make it to my post. It is HP Compaq 8000 Elite SFF PC - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9505 2.83GHz, 4GB DDR3 1333 Memory 500GB 7200RPM HDD - Windows 7 Pro 64-Bit - Newegg.com