A Place For Service When Computers Become Sick

Two potted plants face the doorway, folding tables draped in red linen cloths are set as makeshift desks, and dozens of laptops and desktop monitors wait their turn for repair. And the next thing you notice when you walk into  is the quiet, except for the occasional whine of a computer.

For those of us who depend on our computers for work, catching up with friends, or playing a game, a malfunctioning mainframe can swirl us into utter mayhem.

But technician Johny-Lee Hiteshew delivers a sly smile when asked why he enjoys fixing what the rest of us have broken. 

“I just find it fun ... getting inside and taking things apart,” said Hiteshew, 18, who's been a computer enthusiast for years and attended the Burlington County Institute of Technology, where he studied computer networking. “And I know how to do it.”

Hiteshew is one of a trio of intrepid tech workers at CPS, swirling around cables and concentrating on one thing: getting our computers back into working condition. 

Along with John Guarracino, 24, and proprietor Robert Chang, 36, this knowledgeable team, with over 20 years of experience collectively, work for hours assembling, encrypting and debugging in tight quarters hundreds of computers annually. 

CPS has been operating out of its small storefront space in the  on Route 130 North since 1998.  

Searching for a better life, Chang and his parents emigrated from China to Avon, CT, when Chang was in high school. 

“My parents wanted me to get into a good career,” said Chang, who now lives in Marlton with his wife and three children.

Always a fixer, Chang went to West Hartford University and graduated with a computer science degree. 

For a time, Chang worked for a computer wholesaling company. When the opportunity arose, he started his own business. 

The majority of us don’t like to go without our technology, so it’s a sure bet in this dismal economy, Chang and his staff have stayed mighty busy.  

Guarracino ventured the trio work on 15 computers daily.  

“Most of the repairs are for viruses,” Guarracino said. 

Chang adds when an unknown site is opened onto your computer, a virus can be lurking. He tells clients not to download music, movies or any attachments from strange or unfamiliar websites.

Kids are particularly drawn to computers, but they don’t realize the potential for dangers when surfing the Internet.

Ever get one of those funny emails suggesting you need to stop smoking or build a buff body?

“That’s a form of spyware, a type of malware that is spreading,” Chang said.  

It can secretly download itself and hide in your computer. Spyware tracks a user’s activity and sometimes steals vital information. Plus, it can slow down your computer’s overall performance. 

“Believe it or not, most computer owners have never read their manual,” Hiteshew said. “When customers ask me what I should do to use my computer more efficiently, I tell them it’s really important to know the manual.” 

The guys make house calls starting at $45 for residences and $55 for businesses, and they travel throughout Burlington and Camden counties. Sometimes they even go into Philadelphia. 

Diagnostic fees start at $35, and if service is needed, that amount is discounted from final repair costs. 

“Some clients have special technology requests because they create their own movies, work with graphic designs, or do some other specialty on their computer,” according to Guarracino, who will custom-build a computer starting at $400. 

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday.