Knowledge base
Plain-English help, no jargon.
Everything Gary tells customers over the phone, written down — how-to guides, quick playbooks for the things that go wrong, and a glossary that explains the terms without talking down to you. Free to read, no sign-up.
New
Recently published
This hub gets new guides and articles regularly as real questions come up — here's what's newest.
2026-07-28T00:00:00.000Z
Is the wifi password that came with my router good enough, or do I need to change something?
Nope, definitely change it. If you leave the default password on there, anybody who can see your network can easily look up the generic password online and jump right onto your internet.
2026-07-28T00:00:00.000Z
My printer won’t connect no matter what I try.
Nine times out of ten, your computer and your printer are just sitting on different versions of your Wi-Fi network, or the printer just needs a good old-fashioned reboot to clear its head. Let's get you back to printing without you losing any more of your weekend.
2026-07-27T00:00:00.000Z
I think I clicked something bad and might have a virus -- what now?
First off, take a deep breath and don't panic—just clicking a bad link usually doesn't instantly destroy your computer. The real danger is if you typed in your passwords or downloaded and ran a file, so we just need to check a few things to make sure nothing snuck in.
2026-07-27T00:00:00.000Z
My internet tests fast but everything still feels slow, what’s actually going on?
Speedtest only measures the "empty highway" between your house and your internet provider, not the actual traffic on your way to a specific website. Your router might be choking on the data, or the server you're connecting to is just slow, kind of like how a blizzard can mess with your signal even i
2026-07-27T00:00:00.000Z
My kid’s laptop or game console won’t connect to wifi but my phone connects fine, why?
Nine times out of ten, your kid's device is either holding onto a bad network password or its wireless driver got its wires crossed. Phones are weirdly good at shaking off minor router hiccups, while laptops and consoles will just stubbornly refuse to connect.
Guides
Step-by-step help for real problems
Full, in-depth guides — including the safety notes that matter — on the situations that actually cost people time and money.
it
A USB device stopped being recognized, is it dead or is my PC the problem?
Most of the time it's not dead yet — could be a loose connection, a port acting up, or a driver throwing a tantrum. Let's run through some easy checks before we declare it gone.
3 min read
Home & Property
Basement Flooding in Spring: How to Stop Water Before It Ruins Your Home
A practical spring guide to sump pumps, water intrusion, and keeping your basement dry — plus the electrical-safety rule that can save your life.
4 min read · ⚠ safety note
security
Choosing Security Cameras: An Honest Buyer’s Guide
How to pick a camera system that actually does what you need, and the tradeoffs the box won’t tell you about.
3 min read
hardware
Computer Won’t Turn On? Work Through This First
A calm, step-by-step checklist for a computer that won’t power on or won’t boot — the free things to try before you assume the worst.
3 min read · ⚠ safety note
home-network
Do I need a new router, or is the problem my modem or my internet provider?
Nine times out of ten, if you're constantly restarting your router to get the internet working, the router is the culprit. But don't go swapping boxes just yet, because your modem or your internet provider could definitely be throwing a wrench in the works.
3 min read
security
Do You Actually Need Antivirus in 2026?
Whether you need paid antivirus, what the built-in protection actually covers, and the free habits that stop more attacks than any software.
3 min read
Cybersecurity
Fake Tech-Support Pop-Ups and Calls: What to Do (and Not Do)
A blaring browser pop-up says your PC is infected and gives you a number to call — or someone calls claiming to be Microsoft. Here's how to tell it's fake and shut it down safely.
5 min read · ⚠ safety note
security
Home Network Security Basics for Families
Simple, high-impact steps to secure your home Wi-Fi, router, and smart devices — no jargon required.
3 min read
home-network
How do I actually find out if my internet speed matches what I’m paying for?
To see if you're getting what you pay for, run a speed test on a wired connection and compare the numbers to your ISP bill. Just remember that advertised speeds are usually "up to" a certain amount, so don't panic if it's not perfectly exact.
3 min read
Cybersecurity
How to Check a Suspicious Link Before You Click It
A quick, safe routine for inspecting a link in a text or email — how to read a real URL, hover before you click, and check it without getting infected.
4 min read · ⚠ safety note
network
How to Fix Wi-Fi Dead Zones at Home
Why some rooms have terrible Wi-Fi and the fixes that actually work — from free placement tweaks to mesh systems — without wasting money on gear you don’t need.
3 min read
consumer
How to Look Up an Indiana Business (or Person) in Public Records
The free, official public-records tools for checking out an Indiana business or individual — business registration, court cases, licenses, and property — and how to read what you find.
3 min read
hardware
How to Securely Wipe an Old Computer Before You Sell, Donate, or Recycle It
Deleting your files isn't enough — here's the real, safe way to erase a Windows or Mac computer before it leaves your hands, so the next owner (or nobody) gets your data.
5 min read · ⚠ safety note
Small Business IT
How to Verify Your Backups Actually Restore
A backup you have never restored is a guess, not a safety net. Here is how to actually test your small-business backups so you know they work before disaster strikes.
5 min read · ⚠ safety note
consumer
How to Vet a Contractor in Indiana Before You Pay a Dime
A practical checklist for checking out any contractor or service business in Indiana — licenses, reviews, public records, and the red flags that should make you walk away.
3 min read
it
I think I clicked something bad and might have a virus -- what now?
First off, take a deep breath and don't panic—just clicking a bad link usually doesn't instantly destroy your computer. The real danger is if you typed in your passwords or downloaded and ran a file, so we just need to check a few things to make sure nothing snuck in.
3 min read
home-network
Is the wifi password that came with my router good enough, or do I need to change something?
Nope, definitely change it. If you leave the default password on there, anybody who can see your network can easily look up the generic password online and jump right onto your internet.
3 min read
it
My computer/monitor won’t turn on at all -- what do I check first?
Don't panic, we can figure this out. First, make sure the monitor actually has power and is turned on, then double-check that the cable between the monitor and computer is snug.
3 min read
security
My email got hacked, or I think it did -- what do I do right now?
First off, don't panic -- change your email password right now to something you've never used before, then turn on two-factor authentication so they can't just walk back in. After that, we need to check if they left any "back doors" open like sneaky forwarding rules or backup email addresses they ad
3 min read
it
My game keeps crashing or blue-screening, is my PC dying?
Nah, your PC probably isn't completely dying just yet, but a game pushing it to its limits is definitely forcing a hidden problem to surface. When you're gaming, your parts are working their hardest, which means a weak power supply, a bad driver, or trapped heat will trigger a blue screen instead of
4 min read
home-network
My internet cuts out for a few seconds several times a day, what should I check first?
First, reboot your modem and router by pulling the power plug for a minute, then watch the lights to see if they actually go dark and come back. If that doesn't help, check if it's only WiFi dropping or the whole internet, and make sure your router's firmware is current.
3 min read
home-network
My internet tests fast but everything still feels slow, what’s actually going on?
Speedtest only measures the "empty highway" between your house and your internet provider, not the actual traffic on your way to a specific website. Your router might be choking on the data, or the server you're connecting to is just slow, kind of like how a blizzard can mess with your signal even i
3 min read
home-network
My kid’s laptop or game console won’t connect to wifi but my phone connects fine, why?
Nine times out of ten, your kid's device is either holding onto a bad network password or its wireless driver got its wires crossed. Phones are weirdly good at shaking off minor router hiccups, while laptops and consoles will just stubbornly refuse to connect.
3 min read
it
My PC takes 10 minutes to boot, do I need a new one?
Probably not a whole new PC — a ten-minute boot is almost always a storage, driver, or startup-software problem, not a reason to throw out the box. Let's find the actual culprit before you spend money.
3 min read
it
My printer won’t connect no matter what I try.
Nine times out of ten, your computer and your printer are just sitting on different versions of your Wi-Fi network, or the printer just needs a good old-fashioned reboot to clear its head. Let's get you back to printing without you losing any more of your weekend.
3 min read
home-network
My smart TV/doorbell/camera keeps dropping off wifi, how do I actually fix that?
Nine times out of ten, your cameras are getting confused by your router trying to bounce them between the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, or the signal is just getting choked out. We need to force a clean power cycle, stop the router from playing hot-potato with your devices, and make sure you have a solid e
3 min read
it
My wifi is terrible in half my house, what can I actually do about it?
You've got dead zones, plain and simple, and we can usually fix that by moving your router or adding a cheap extender, but if your whole house is slow, your internet plan or old router might be the actual culprit.
3 min read
security
Phishing Email Red Flags: A Quick Spotter’s Guide
The warning signs of a phishing email and the safe habits that keep you from taking the bait.
3 min read
Cybersecurity
Ransomware: What to Do in the First Hour
A calm, step-by-step playbook for the first sixty minutes after a ransomware attack — how to contain it, who to call, and the costly mistakes to avoid.
4 min read · ⚠ safety note
home-network
Should I get a mesh wifi system, or is my router just fine the way it is?
If you live in a smaller place and your signal is solid, your current router is probably just fine. But if you're dealing with dead zones in a big house or your connection drops when you walk to another room, a mesh system is exactly what you need.
3 min read
it
This app keeps freezing or acting weird, how do I fix it without reinstalling everything?
Nine times out of ten, an app acting up just has a clogged memory or a bad temporary file. We can usually fix it by forcing the app to close and clearing out its junk data without having to wipe your whole phone.
3 min read
it
Why Your PC Is Slow — and What Actually Fixes It
The real causes of a slow computer, in the order worth checking, and which fix gives the biggest improvement.
3 min read
Articles
Honest answers before you call
Straight answers to the questions people search — with no upsell attached.
security
Are Security Cameras Worth It for a Small Business?
A practical look at when camera systems pay off for a small business — and how to avoid overspending.
3 min read
it
Does a Small Office Really Need Managed IT?
When ongoing IT support is worth it for a small office — and when you’re better off with help as-needed.
3 min read
websites
How Much Does a Small-Business Website Cost in Indiana?
An honest breakdown of what a small-business website really costs in Indiana — and what actually drives the price.
3 min read
it
Local Computer Tech vs. a Big-Box Store: Which Is Better?
An honest comparison of using a local, one-person technician versus a big-box repair counter.
3 min read
ai
On-Prem AI for Small Business: What It Is and Why It Matters
A plain-English look at running AI tools on your own hardware — and when it’s the right call for a small business.
3 min read
it
Should You Repair or Replace Your Computer? An Honest Guide
A practical, no-upsell way to decide whether your slow or broken computer is worth fixing.
3 min read
Quick playbooks
21 answers, one or two minutes each
Shorter than the full guides above — the fast version of the same honest advice, grouped by topic. Tap any question to open it.
Security
How to make strong passwords you can actually use
Use a password manager to generate and store long, unique passwords for every account — then you only remember one strong master password. If you must remember one yourself, use a passphrase: four or more random words strung together are both strong and memorable. Never reuse the same password across sites; one breach then unlocks everything.
Turn on two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second step to logins. Turn it on for email, banking, and social accounts first. Prefer an authenticator app (or a hardware key) over text-message codes when offered, since SMS can be intercepted. Save your backup codes somewhere safe.
How to spot a phishing message
Be suspicious of urgency ('act now or your account closes'), unexpected attachments, and links that don't match the real company's address. Hover a link to see where it really goes. When in doubt, don't click — go to the company's site directly by typing the address yourself, or call them using a number you look up independently.
If you think you have malware
Disconnect from the internet to stop it spreading or phoning home. Don't enter passwords on the infected machine. Run a reputable malware scanner. Change important passwords from a different, clean device. If banking or work accounts may be involved, treat it seriously and get help. Back up important files (scan them before restoring elsewhere).
Keeping smart-home devices safe
Change default passwords on every smart device. Keep them on a separate guest/IoT network. Update their apps and firmware. Buy from vendors that actually release security updates. Turn off features you don't use, like remote access you'll never need.
Email safety habits
Don't open unexpected attachments. Verify unusual requests (especially about money or passwords) through a second channel. Watch for lookalike sender addresses. Keep a separate email for signups vs. important accounts. Report and delete obvious spam rather than engaging.
Browsing more safely
Keep your browser updated. Look for 'https' and the padlock on sites where you enter information. Be cautious with browser extensions — install few, from reputable sources. Avoid downloading software from random pop-ups or ads; go to the official source.
Planning a camera system
Decide what you actually want to see — entry points, driveway, blind spots. Plan for lighting (night vision), power (POE simplifies wiring), and where footage is stored (local recorder vs. cloud, and how long). Fewer, well-placed cameras beat many poorly-aimed ones. Consider privacy — avoid pointing at neighbors' property.
Recognizing fake tech-support scams
No legitimate company (Microsoft, Apple, your bank) will cold-call to say your computer is infected and ask for remote access or payment in gift cards. Hang up. Never give remote access or card numbers to an unsolicited caller. If you're worried about your device, contact a technician you chose and trust.
Why software updates matter
Many updates fix security holes that attackers actively exploit. Turning on automatic updates for your operating system, browser, and apps closes those holes quickly. Delaying updates for weeks leaves known doors open. Restart when prompted so fixes finish installing.
Staying safe on public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi is convenient but shared. Avoid banking or sensitive logins unless you're on a VPN. Make sure sites show 'https'. Turn off automatic connection to open networks. When possible, use your phone's hotspot for anything sensitive.
Data & Backups
The 3-2-1 backup rule
Keep 3 copies of anything you can't afford to lose, on 2 different kinds of storage, with 1 copy off-site (or in the cloud). The off-site copy protects you from theft, fire, or ransomware. Most importantly: test a restore — a backup you've never restored from is a guess, not a safety net.
How to verify a backup actually works
A backup you've never tested is a hope, not a plan. Periodically restore a few files to a different location and open them to confirm they're intact. For full-system backups, test that the recovery media boots. Note how long a restore takes — you'll want to know before a real emergency.
Networking & Wi-Fi
Get better home Wi-Fi
Place the router centrally and up high, away from thick walls and metal. Use the 5 GHz band for nearby devices (faster) and 2.4 GHz for range. Keep the router's firmware updated. If a large home has dead zones, a mesh system usually beats a single router. Give your router a strong admin password and change the default.
Lock down your router
Change the default admin password. Use WPA3 or WPA2 encryption with a strong Wi-Fi password. Turn off remote administration unless you need it. Keep firmware updated. Put smart-home/IoT gadgets on a separate guest network so a compromised device can't reach your computers.
Hardware
Is an SSD upgrade worth it?
If your computer still uses a spinning hard drive, almost certainly yes. An SSD makes boot times, app launches, and general responsiveness dramatically better — often making an older machine feel new. It's frequently the most cost-effective upgrade before considering a full replacement.
PC & Windows Basics
First things to try on a slow PC
1) Restart it — genuinely, fully. 2) Check free disk space; a nearly-full drive slows everything. 3) Reduce startup programs (Task Manager → Startup). 4) Run a malware scan. 5) If it's an older machine with a spinning hard drive, upgrading to an SSD is usually the single biggest improvement. If none of that helps, the drive or memory may be failing.
Moving to a new computer
Before switching: back up everything from the old machine. Make a list of installed programs and license keys. Note browser bookmarks and saved passwords (export from your password manager). Transfer files, then reinstall or migrate programs. Keep the old machine intact until you've confirmed everything's on the new one.
Freeing up disk space
Empty the recycle bin. Uninstall programs you don't use. Clear temporary files (Windows has built-in Disk Cleanup / Storage Sense). Move photos and videos to external or cloud storage. If you're constantly full, a larger drive is worth considering. Keep at least 10-15% of the drive free for good performance.
Small Business
Small-business IT basics checklist
- Unique strong passwords + a password manager for the team
- 2FA on email, banking, and admin accounts
- Tested backups (3-2-1)
- Updates applied promptly on all machines
- Reputable security software
- A plan for who to call when something breaks
- Staff aware of phishing basics
- Cameras/physical security where appropriate
General Advice
How to choose a computer technician
Look for someone who explains things clearly, gives an estimate before starting, and tells you honestly when a repair isn't worth it. Local and accountable beats an anonymous counter. Ask what happens to your data and how they protect it. Trust the one who isn't trying to sell you the most expensive option by default.
Glossary
37 tech terms, explained plainly
No jargon left unexplained. Organized by topic and alphabetized within each — like a dictionary, minus the condescension.
Security
- CVE
- A Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures ID — a public catalog number for a specific known security flaw in software.
- Encryption
- Scrambling data so only someone with the key can read it. Protects information if a device is lost or stolen.
- Firewall
- A barrier — software or hardware — that controls what network traffic is allowed in and out, blocking unwanted connections.
- Malware
- Any malicious software — viruses, spyware, ransomware, and the like — designed to harm your device or steal information.
- Password Manager
- An app that stores strong, unique passwords for you so you don't have to remember or reuse them.
- Patch / Update
- A fix released by a software maker, often to close security holes. Installing updates promptly is one of the simplest ways to stay safe.
- Phishing
- A scam where someone pretends to be a trusted company to trick you into giving up passwords, card numbers, or clicking a bad link.
- Ransomware
- Malware that locks or encrypts your files and demands payment to unlock them. Good, tested backups are the best protection.
- SSL / HTTPS
- Encryption for websites. The padlock and 'https' mean your connection to the site is encrypted.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
- A second step beyond your password — a code from an app or text — that makes accounts much harder to break into.
- VPN
- A Virtual Private Network encrypts your internet connection, useful on public Wi-Fi and for privacy.
- Zero-Day
- A security flaw that's being exploited before the vendor has a fix available.
Networking
- Bandwidth
- How much data your connection can carry at once — more bandwidth means faster downloads and smoother streaming.
- DNS
- The internet's phone book — it turns names like example.com into the numeric addresses computers use.
- IP Address
- A numeric label identifying a device on a network, like a mailing address for data.
- Latency / Ping
- The delay before data starts moving. Low latency matters for video calls and online gaming.
- POE
- Power over Ethernet — running both data and electrical power to a device (like a camera) over one network cable.
- Router
- The device that connects your home or office network to the internet and directs traffic between your devices.
- Wi-Fi
- Wireless networking that connects your devices to your router without cables.
Hardware
- CPU
- The processor — your computer's main 'brain' that does the calculations. Faster CPUs handle heavier tasks.
- GPU
- The graphics processor, important for gaming, video, and some AI work.
- Hard Drive (HDD)
- Traditional spinning-disk storage. Cheaper per gigabyte than an SSD but much slower and more prone to failure over time.
- NAS
- Network-Attached Storage — a shared storage device on your network for backups and files.
- RAM
- Short-term memory your computer uses for whatever it's doing right now. More RAM lets you run more things at once without slowing down.
- SSD
- A solid-state drive — storage with no moving parts. Far faster than an old-style hard drive; swapping to one is often the biggest speed boost for an older computer.
Software
- Bloatware
- Unwanted pre-installed software that clutters a device and can slow it down.
- Browser Cache
- Temporary files a web browser saves to load sites faster. Clearing it can fix some website problems.
- Cookies
- Small files websites store to remember you — helpful for logins, but also used for tracking.
- Driver
- Small software that lets your operating system talk to a piece of hardware, like a printer or graphics card.
- Operating System
- The core software that runs your device — Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS.
Data & Backups
- 3-2-1 Backup
- A simple rule: keep 3 copies of important data, on 2 different types of media, with 1 copy off-site.
- Backup
- A copy of your data kept separately so you can recover it if the original is lost, damaged, or encrypted.
- Cloud
- Storing or running software on servers over the internet instead of only on your own device.
- Data Recovery
- Attempting to retrieve files from a failed or damaged drive. Sometimes possible, never guaranteed — which is why backups matter.
AI
- LLM
- A Large Language Model — the kind of AI behind chat assistants that understand and generate text.
- Local AI
- AI tools that run on your own hardware or a controlled model, so your data stays under your control instead of going to a third party.
General
- Uptime
- The percentage of time a system or service is running and available.
Still stuck?
These guides cover the common cases. If yours is stranger than that, Gary Amick answers the phone himself.