What would you like to know about?
General Service Questions
Service Hours, Areas, Availability
Service Methods
Virus Removal
Data Recovery
Our Guarantee
General Service FAQ
Why is my computer slow?
Well, there’re several possible reasons for this, and finding out which is plaguing you is one of the reasons our service is valuable – we’ll check everything. It may be a virus, too little free disk space, failing hardware, or simply bad configuration settings. Regardless, we’ll be able to look at your computer and tell what it is. After that, we’ll suggest a fix or, in some cases, it’ll make more sense to replace the computer with a new one. We’ll let you know what we’d do.
What’s a tuneup? What does it consist of?
A tune-up is an all-in-one cleanup, checkup, and performance improvement. We basically check for malware and other security threats, and do basic ‘best-practices’ setup to make sure your computer is fast, easy to use, and safe. We also check to make sure the hardware is in good health.
What can you teach me about how to use my computer better?
We can teach you about pretty much anything you’d want to know how to do with computers. Tablets and smartphones are fine too. Some things our clients have found useful are file management, getting pictures moved around, printed out, organized, shared. Also, how to use Microsoft Word efficiently and how to use the internet very safely, etc.
I’ve heard that I need a backup?
Backups are spare copies of your important documents, pictures, and other files. If your computer fails, you’ll want to know that your data is safe. It’s often the most important and valuable part of your computer. We always recommend that our customers make a backup of their files, and we’ll gladly do it for you.
How long will it take for you to fix my computer problem?
It depends on the issue. Please check our Computer Services page for time estimates.
What all do you service? Can you help us out with Apple computers? Tablets?
You ask us about anything at all. If it has to do with computers, you’ve come to the right place. Desktops, laptops, PCs, Macs, iPhones, Android phones, Line-of-Business applications, networks, servers, Linux, printers, websites, you name it. We can remotely login to your computer, with your permission, for software issues. For hardware problems, we can come to you to fix it. If, for some reason, we can’t help with it, we’ll help you find someone who can, at no charge.
Can you help us with mobile devices?
Yes, we can help you out with iPhones, iPads, Android phones & tablets, Kindles, & more.
Can you recommend a new computer for me?
Absolutely. We’ll certainly be price-conscious, and will make sure you get the best value you can at the time. We’ll also help decide between PC or Mac, laptop or desktop, 12″ or 15″, and all the rest. We won’t burden you with too many options. We’ll listen to your needs and make the best suggestion we can. We don’t sell computers ourselves, so we have no financial incentive to suggest anything other than the best value for you.
Do you buy or exchange laptops?
No, we don’t buy or exchange laptops, but we can help you do so.
Do you sell hardware or upgrade parts?
Yes we do upgrade computer parts. We will help you buy them and have them shipped to you or they will be carried by the onsite technician who will help you.
Is my computer worth repairing? Do I need a new one?
We’ll let you know that as soon as we can. We’ll check on your computer hardware and the nature of the problem you’re calling about and then make a best-assessment. We don’t want to hit you with a bill equal to the price of a new computer.
My computer won’t even turn on. Can you still help?
We usually can. We’ll work our magic to see if we can’t revive it. If not, we’ll suggest an onsite repair for it, or a new computer, if that’s more sensible. We’ll certainly help you move all your data over from the current one. Don’t worry. Chances are, your data is fine, even though the computer won’t turn on.
Service Hours, Areas, Availability FAQ
Do you work 24/7?
No, though with some of our services, we are able to monitor your computers and networks for you and be alerted when there is a problem. We absolutely can respond to you within two business hours, and most often, immediately, but we are not staffed 24/7. We are open during 8:00am-5:00pm CST, Monday through Friday with evenings & weekends by appointment..
How fast can you get somebody here to help?
When you contact us, we triage the problem and prioritize the most critical ones. We can be out to you almost immediately if it’s sufficiently serious. Otherwise, we’ll schedule with you and can almost always get somebody there the next business day.
Where is your office?
We have an office in Northeast Minneapolis. It’s our base from which we can help you anywhere in the nearby areas (or even as you travel across the country).
Do you accept computer drop-offs or visits at your office?
No, the office is not a storefront, and we prefer to help you through remote work and onsite visits.
Service Methods FAQ
What is remote support?
Remote support is where we can temporarily operate your computer from our location to yours with the help of an internet connection and some software. Remote computer support works by having you download a remote control program for your computer, then telling us an ID and password, letting us remotely connect and work on your computer, just like we were there with you. We can move the mouse pointer on the screen and everything! It’s secure and it’s only enabled when you allow it. Nearly any computer problem can be solved this way, and it’s unbeatable for your convenience.
Is remote support safe?
Yes, we use Teamviewer, which is a best-of-breed remote support tool with award-winning security. It uses the same level of security that banking and e-commerce websites use. We’re confident in it and we’d like you to be too. Please don’t have any very personal documents up on the screen when we connect and there should be no need to give us any passwords other than the temporary one from Teamviewer that we need to connect to your computer.
Virus Removal FAQ
How would I know if there’s a virus on my computer?
Pop-ups, more ads than usual, wrong homepage on your browser, programs not working, maybe saying ‘open with’ every time you try to run them, excessive slowness, etc. Call us immediately.
I don’t know what my antivirus is but there’s this pop-up telling me I’ve got a lot of infections?
That may very well be a virus masquerading as an antivirus program. We’ll make sure you know what your real protection programs are and we’ll prefer ones that are quiet, automatic, and just go about their own business without bugging you or asking for various confirmations.
How long does it take to remove a virus?
Under a couple hours, typically. In unusual worst-cases with really nasty critters, virus removals may necessitate additional hours for re-installation of the operating system and software. Worst case is usually five hours and that’s a one-in-a-hundred event.
Data Recovery FAQ
Do you do data recovery?
Yes, we can often recover data from failed computers, hard-drives and flash-drives.
How much does data recovery cost?
We have to charge for time of attempt, but we’ll usually know within an hour if we can recover anything. A couple hours at our hourly rate for a less serious problem, up to $1000 for advanced clean-room processing. We would manage that whole process for you and you’ll be able to give the okay before the more expensive options begin.
Our Guarantee
What if you can’t fix it?
It’s free.
We can help you right now at 1-(855)-WATCHTECH or contact us by email.