Guide
When to Call a Technician
A calm filter for “restart it again” versus “someone should look at this before it gets worse.”
Try this first
Restart the computer and the internet box. Wait a full minute before powering the box back on.
Try a second browser or a second device on the same Wi-Fi. If everything fails, the problem is probably the network, not one laptop.
Write down the exact message on the screen. A photo of an error is more useful than “it was red.”
Call sooner, not later
The drive is clicking, or the machine will not turn on at all and the files on it matter.
You already entered a password or a remote-access code for someone who called you.
Ransomware, a lock screen, or banking activity you do not recognize.
A small business computer that takes payments or holds client files.
What to have ready
What the computer is used for, and whether the files are more important than the machine.
The community you are in — Houston, The Woodlands, Katy, and so on — so a visit can be routed.
Whether you would rather repair this one or move to a new computer if that is cheaper.