House Calls

How do I do know if I need a house call?

Some common reasons for a house call would be: your computer won't start up or is slowing down, your printer won't work, your hard drive is making funny noises, you can't connect to the Internet, or you want to transfer files from an old computer to a new one.

If you aren't backing up your data, there's a possibility that all of it can be lost in an instant.  We aren't just talking old college term papers, we're talking financial projections for clients, emails, years of QuickBooks and Turbo Tax databases, pictures, and files that you may have forgotten existed.  Don't take a gamble on losing your valuable information. If you don't have some sort of back up plan, let me help you establish one.

Another prominent issue is organization, especially for small business owners. Give me a few hours with your computer and you'll be able to find the files you need in a matter of seconds.  This does require that the owner be on-site so that we can establish logical categories that they'll remember.

What do I do to prepare for a house call?

In order to make the most of your billed time, it can be helpful to have a list of things that you want to accomplish during our appointment.

Below is a list of information that you can compile and steps that you can take to make your experience flow better.  They are in the order of importance and you can write them down for when I get there or email them to me ahead of time.   

• What kind of computer do you have?  Make and model number please.
  
  
• Gather any software (CD-ROMs) that has anything to do with your computer, Internet connection, printer, digital camera, etc. (This will save you money)
  
  
• How many computers are being used in the house?
  
  
• When you start your computer does the screen say? Windows XP Home, Windows XP Pro, Windows 2000, Mac OS X?
  
  
• In general, I do NOT work on computers running Windows 98 or Windows ME.  These systems are no longer supported by Microsoft. You are still welcome to email me the details of the problems that you are having and I will see if it's something that I can help you with.
  
  
• How do you access the Internet?  DSL? Cable Modem? Dial Up? (Wired?  Wireless?)
  
  
• Are your computers networked together?
  
  
• Is there something you'd like to learn to do on your computer that you can't do now?
  
  
• What is your computer doing or not doing that's worrying or frustrating you?
  
  
• If your computer is giving you error messages, WRITE THEM DOWN!  These are our best clues as to what's going on with your computer!
  
  
• Try to remember if you installed any software or downloaded anything right before the problem started.
  
  
• I may need to take the back cover off your computer.  Please make sure that it is easily accessible.
  
  
• Most of all stay calm. Leave the computer off and wait for your scheduled appointment.