General FAQ

Where are you located? Why did you move?
Dragonware moved in February because the shopping center we'd been in for the previous five years had been sold to Forsyth Technical Community College, who is converting the center into an automotive repair campus.   We quickly found a new location for our store in the Kester Mill Village Shopping Center and reopened in March. This center is located between Walmart and Carmax on Hanes Mall Blvd.  Cook Out and the Carmike Movie Theater are directly behind us.

Do you buy computers?
We do purchase used computers either through a direct sale or through trade-ins. Value is determined based on system specifications, features, appearance, and marketability. All equipment will undergo  thorough hardware testing and should include a valid Windows license.  Component failure or a lack of a legal Windows license will deduct from the systems value.  We may buy individual components depending upon our ability to test without the complete system and upon marketability.  We cannot guarantee that we will purchase every used computer submitted.  You may call with the system specifications (ie. processor, memory, hard drive, and what version of Windows is licensed) to get an estimated value.

Service FAQ

What brands of computers do you work on? Do you fix laptops?
Dragonware technicians are qualified to work on any brand PC.  We do occasionally run into difficulty with procuring proprietary components.  As long as the components are standard or we are able to purchase the non-standard components, we can repair or upgrade any brand. We do repair laptops, however, the parts availability on laptops is significantly less than would be on a similar desktop.  We can upgrade memory, operating system or hard drive with little difficulty. We may be able to upgrade CD/DVD drives, wireless cards, or replace a broken power jack or lcd screen. We rarely can upgrade video, as very few models have a separate video adapter.

What do I need to bring with me when I bring my computer in for service?
Desktop Computer - Generally we only need the computer (tower) itself.  Bringing software (Operating System, drivers) will speed up time of service and lower your rate in the event of a reload.  Please do not bring your power cord, monitor, keyboard or mouse - unless they are very unusual or are part of the problem you are having.
Laptop Computer - In addition to the laptop, please bring your power adapter, any add-on drives (Floppy/CD-ROM), and any PCMCIA cards. Bringing software (Operating System, drivers) will speed up time of service and lower your rate in the event of a reload.

How long will my computer be "in the shop"?
The answer to this question depends upon a couple of variables: the type of problem you are having, and the number of computers that have already been checked in for service.  On average, most computers are completed within 2 days.  Please check with a technician for an estimated time of completion.

I have just had my computer formatted and reloaded and I am getting an "Add new hardware wizard" box when I turn on the computer.  The technician said that he/she already loaded all of the software for the hardware on my computer.  Why am I getting this?
Most times, this will be your monitor.  Unless you have a disk for your monitor (and normally you do not) just click next until it gets through.  Windows will load a generic driver for your monitor.  If you have attached a device that was not present in the shop (printer, scanner, USB cable modem, etc), you will get this wizard to help guide you through the installation of this device.  You should insert the disk for this device.  If you have misplaced it, you can normally go to the manufacturers web site and get the driver.  If you need the driver for your USB modem, you may need to have someone else download it for you and burn it to a CD.

Sales FAQ

Why do I have a bill on my credit card statement from you if I have never done business with you before?
There is a "company" in Tennessee that goes by the name Dragonware Computers and has generated transactions that are fraudulent.  We request everyone affected to contact us immediately (336-767-1133) so that we can report this to our attorney.  Please do not email us your information or leave a voice mail; actually speak with someone in our store so that we can make sure that your concern is addressed.  If you would like we would be happy to email you confirmation of speaking with you.  We will need: your name, address, phone number, amount of transaction, date of transaction, and any other information you can provide that may assist us in this case.  WE DO NOT WANT YOUR CREDIT CARD NUMBER OR BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER.  PLEASE DO NOT PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION FOR YOUR OWN SECURITY.  We currently DO NOT have a store in Tennessee.  We currently only operate out of Winston-Salem, NC.  Our contact information is displayed on our website.  We also urge you to contact your credit card company immediately and report it as fraudulent and take appropriate action.
Update 7/11/2008: We have reason to believe that the authorities in TN have arrested the culprits and hope that there will be no further fraudulent transactions.

What brand computers do you sell?
At Dragonware we build our own computers from the highest quality parts. Our brand is "Dragonware" and our model series are Envy, Ruby, and Gold.  Our computer systems can be purchased from our predesigned models, or you may customize your Dragonware system as you like.  We do not manufacture monitors, but offer models by Acer, Viewsonic and others.  We can also design Dragonware laptops, or special order a laptop in the brand of your choice.

You accept trade-ins, does that mean you have used computers?
Yes, we completely refurbish used computers: each used computer goes through thorough diagnostic testing, we upgrade or replace components as needed, and completely erase and reload the hard drive so that no data (or virus for that matter) is transferred to the purchaser, as well as physically cleaning the PC inside and out. Used computers are listed in the Refurbished section of the store.

How often do you get used computers in?
We cannot officially predict when we will have used computers in stock. Please check the refurbished section or call the store to get current inventory on used PCs.  Generally summer months are slow for trade-ins, otherwise we almost always carry used desktop models. Used laptops come and go very quickly and are difficult to keep in stock.

What methods of payment do you accept?
In store we accept VISA, Mastercard, Discover, Debit and cash. We do not accept checks.  Online purchases can be made through PayPal's secure payment processing site.  We do not accept credit cards over the phone, this is for your security as well as our own.

Do you have a layaway program?
We do have a layaway program. Terms are 30 days with a 25% down payment. Payments can be made at any time during those 30 days. Deposits are not refundable should the layaway be cancelled.  Any items not completed within 30 days and without prior arrangements to the contrary will be cancelled without refund.  Christmas layaways must be picked up by December 30th or layaway will be cancelled without refund.

Can I buy a wireless capable notebook and get on the internet anywhere I want to?
There has to be a wireless access point available. These can be referred to as "Hot Spots" or "Wireless Access Points". Your wireless laptop works like a cell phone in that if there is no signal, it cannot get online. To get your home wireless capable, we recommend high speed internet and a router with a wireless access point already built in. Some restaurants have "hot spots" available. This would be an example of an area that you can open your laptop and get online.

Are wireless networks as fast as cabled networks?
Not normally.  Today's wired networks are based on the 10/100/1000mb/s scale.  Wireless technology is based on the following scale:.
Wireless B = 11mb/s  Wireless G = 54mb/s  Wireless Super G = 108mb/s
For surfing the internet and checking e-mail, any wireless standard should be fine.  For large data transfers, we would recommend a wired connection.