Someone at church knows a computer guy. Your neighbor's nephew is good with these things. There is a shop by the grocery store.
Any of them might be great. Here are five questions that tell you which, before your computer or your passwords leave your hands.
1. Did you call me, or did I call you?
This is the only question that matters if you get it wrong. Real tech help does not call you. It does not pop up on your screen with a phone number. It does not email you that your account is in danger.
If they reached out first, hang up. Every time.
2. Will you tell me what it costs before you start?
The answer should be a number or a plain range, given before any work begins. "We'll see how long it takes" is a red flag when it comes before the work instead of after.
3. Will you explain what you are doing?
You do not need a lecture. You do need someone who will say "I am turning off this setting because it was slowing things down" instead of clicking in silence and handing it back.
If a person gets impatient with that question, they will get impatient with you.
4. Do you need my passwords?
Sometimes a tech needs the password to your computer. That is normal. Nobody ever needs your banking password, your email password read out loud, or a gift card number. The moment any of those come up, the conversation is over.
5. Will it be you next time?
A shop with rotating staff means explaining your setup from the beginning every visit. A single person who knows your computer, your printer, and the name of the grandkid whose photos you were trying to open is worth more than a lower hourly rate.
My answers, for the record
You call me. Never the other way around. You know the cost before hands-on work starts. I talk you through everything as I do it. I will never ask for your banking password. And it is me every time, the same person, picking up where we left off.
Ask everybody these questions. If someone else answers them well, you found a good one. If nobody does, you know where I am.
Call (512) 893-7774. No bots. No runaround. Just real tech help.