FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

You've got questions and we have answers! Here is a page featuring our most common questions amongst our customers. If you can't find the answer you're looking for, contact us and let us know,  we're happy to help!

In response to heightened security considerations following the pandemic, we have implemented a controlled access approach, necessitating appointments scheduled in advance for entry. The positive aspect is that we continue to provide you with a greater level of communication than before via telephone appointments and email, ensuring that your needs are fully met, the best way to contact us is to try e-mailing us first. The whole Team gets your e-mail almost instantly, so we can take quick action.  Note that if you contact us by phone and leave a voice-mail, our phone-system will transcribe your message and send it to us as an e-mail as well.

• Email Us : help@signa.com
• Phone : 416-488-9208
• Shop with us!  Desktop PCs and Laptops are available for purchase 24-7 on this website, and we even offer free delivery within the GTA, along with optional in-home setup.
• Parking : Free Parking is available behind the store!  From Yonge St., turn onto Teddington, then left on Bocastle Ave, and left again onto Glen Echo Road (circling the block.) Turn right into the laneway about 80' from Yonge St (behind Belly Buster Subs and past the apt building on your right.) Go 6 stores in, 1 past the building that juts into the laneway, and you'll see a grey door with a Signa sign on it. That's us! Ring the bell, hang on a minute, and we'll open up!

• Payment Questions

• What's your preferred method of payment?

  E-Transfer and EFT (Direct bank transfer) as a small business, it helps keep our costs down. As a result, we provide a free rush service for people who pay with these methods!

• Do you accept paypal or xoom?

  Sorry, we do not. Our preferred method of payment is e-transfer which gives you the fastest order processing time.

• Do you accept cards over the phone?

  If you feel safe providing us with the information, we will take credit cards over the phone.

• Shipping Questions

• If I place my order today, when can I expect it?

  Our aim is to promptly address and commence working on your order. Processing larger Threadripper and Xeon orders may take up to 2 weeks, while some orders can be ready for dispatch on the next business day if they are in stock and pre-installed with Windows. Linux installations usually require additional time for order fulfillment. On average, order preparation takes approximately a week, but we do offer a rush service option in select cases to expedite the process and prioritize your PC.

• Do you ship to British Columbia or Québec?

  Out of province orders require payment by E-Transfer or EFT. We are very excited to have opened up shipping to more provinces with stock levels and component shortages easing. Please contact us for any questions.

• Troubleshooting Questions

• Trouble upgrading to Win 11? Health check can't find TPM 2.0?

  Did you purchase a system from us and are having trouble upgrading to WIndows 11? Perhaps you're running Microsoft health check app and its reporting you are missing a TPM module? The best thing to do is to update your motherboard BIOS.
  
  Reboot your PC and take note of the make and model of motherboard, eg Asus Prime Z390-A, Asus X299M-A etc then Google motherboard make and model, + “update BIOS”
  
  For example: Google “Asus X299 update Bios” then follow instructions.
  
  Steps usually include:
  

  1. Downloading the BIOS to a memory key.
  2. Rebooting then tapping Del or F2 key.
  3. Pressing F7 while key is inserted in USB port.
  4. Using file browser in BIOS to find BIOS update you’ve downloaded.
  5. Updating BIOS.
  6. Rebooting.
  7. Trying to install windows 11 again.

  
  Alternatively you can make an appointment for us to do this in shop for a min one hour charge
  
  Or
  
  If you are in the GTA, we may be able to come out and do this for you at a higher rate
  Unfortunately, at this time, we cannot do this service remotely it really requires “hands on” the PC as the remote software does not run in the BIOS consequently we cannot access it remotely.

• Why can't I see any video on my monitor?

  There are multiple video ports on your PC. Please ensure your monitor is plugged into to the discreet graphics card's ports, and not the motherboard's ports for integrated/on-board video.
  

• Why can't I connect to wifi?

  Did you purchase a wifi adapter? If not you will need one to connect to your wireless router.
  
  Some of our motherboards come with WiFi 6 built-in, but require an external antenna that screws onto the back of your PC. When connecting the included antenna, please go slowly, and try not to cross-thread... Screw them on finger tight, no tools are required.
  

• Service Questions

• Can I book an in-store appointment to discuss my computer needs?

  No, not at this time. We used to offer in-shop consultation, but due to ongoing security concerns in the area, we have transitioned to free email consultation and pre-scheduled 15 min phone consultations.

• How far are you willing to travel to provide on site service?

  We will come to your house or business if you are within 30km of Toronto.

• Can you provide additional services not listed on your website?

  Upon request, as long as the task is not beyond our capability, we can provide additional services to our customers and we're usually happy to do so.

• Why don't you support overclocking?

  We've seen too many machines melt down due to over clocking and running them faster/hotter for longer than they were designed to. We just don't make enough on these computers to be able to support the extra time/work involved with troubleshooting and returns/repairs on overclocked hardware. In this case we prefer you build your own, or find a company that doesn't mind overclocking. 🙂

• What DON'T We Do?

• Can you assemble parts I bought On-line?

  No. Although we did offer a parts-assembly service in the past, we no longer offer this service.
  
  We prefer to build our systems from carefully chosen parts that we know will work well together. It's very important to us that every customer gets a consistent, rock-solid, reliable product they're happy with — not a bleeding-edge one that may or may not work as they'd hoped.

• Can you fix Intermittent Problems on-the-spot?

  Not usually, no. In order to fix any problem, we usually have to see the malfunction in action and then deduce the cause of it. With intermittent problems that can't be reproduced consistently, it's often simpler and more cost-effective to have the problem device hooked up and running on our testing bench. Examples of these sorts of problems include :

  • Random lock-ups
  • Random blue-screens
  • Boot issues

• Can You Re-Paste a CPU or GPU Fan on-the-spot?

  No. The correct application of thermal paste and cooler is rather critical (even more so with modern CPUs/GPUs that run a lot hotter.) Our techs require proper lighting, seating, and tools to make sure that each application is as perfect as you expect it to be. Our in-shop service bench is the only place we find suitable.

• Do you do Card/Cable Re-seating/Cleaning to solve boot issues on-the-spot?

  No. This is a very tedious task that is best suited to our in-shop repair bench where our technicians can be very careful and methodical, working in optimal lighting where they can see what they're doing.

• Can you fix my Decades-old PC or Laptop?

  Although it never hurts to ask, if a component has failed and we can't get a replacement part, then no.
  
  Sometimes technology can be so old that the only sensible course of action is to get a new machine.