When and Why You Should Use Remote Support
If you’ve ever had a sudden computer problem, you know it can be very stressful. So much of our day-to-day life requires having access to a working computer.
Homework, budgeting, bills, even browsing dinner recipes all have a degree of urgency that means dealing with a broken computer is inconvenient. I offer two options: remote repair or bring it in. Which is the best choice for you?
Benefits of Remote Support
Speed: If remote repair is a possibility, I can connect via the Internet and start working on it right away. You could also just leave it turned on in the morning and go to work as normal, while i’m able to conduct the repair and have it ready for your return. Without this option, you’d need to fit a trip into my office to drop the system off.
Convenience: You get to skip the unpleasant tasks of unplugging the PC, untangling the cables and carting it into the repair store. Even then, once repaired, you’d still be privileged with carrying it back home and playing a game of which-plug-goes-where.
Computers may be getting smaller, but they’re still heavy and fiddly! Laptops are designed to be moved around often and it may not be a problem to stop at the repair store, but traveling with a desktop PC requires a little more effort and a lot more inconvenience.
Negatives of Remote Support
Limited repair options: A remote connection can only repair certain software problems, not hardware problems. It’s impossible to swap out a failed part remotely, and unless you’re confident in your own repair skills, guided physical repair isn’t viable or advisable either.
Occasionally the problem will also be outside the computer, perhaps a troublesome peripheral or connection. I may be able to walk you through correcting some of these minor problems, but it is likely some will still require a physical call-out or bringing your computer to my shop.
Connection speed: A slow or unstable connection will make a remote repair take longer and increase the difficulty of the task. The extended time can impact the cost of the call, and in extreme cases, can negate any benefits of skipping effort required to bring it in and haul it back to your home/business. Your connection needs to allow me to see real-time responses as if I were sitting there.
Accessibility: If your computer won’t start or can’t connect to the Internet at all, I can’t log in. This includes seeing a ‘blue screen of death’, boot failure and Windows load failure. As much as I’d like to help you, being able to log in to your system is a vital step for the remote repair process.
Remote support and repair is often the ideal situation, purely for speed and convenience. As a bonus, in the event the remote repair is unsuccessful, it also means I now have a better idea of the problem and can speed up any on-site or in-store repairs. Remote support is the best option for many repairs and gets your computer working again with minimal disruption and lowest cost.
So, to review: If you have a problem, can get into your machine and have a decent internet connection, give me a ring to see if you can skip the part where you put pants on and have to come down to my shop.
Need a repair? Call me at 903 686 0200 to get started.