Tech guides
What to try yourself, and when to call us.
Plain-English guides to the computer, Wi-Fi, printer, email and security problems we see most. Each one explains what is going on, what you can safely try yourself, and when it is time to get a technician in.
The guides are written for homes and small businesses in Auckland and Hamilton. If a guide doesn't solve it, book a tech from any page and tell us what you've already tried - it saves time on the visit.
Business IT
- Laptop buying guide for New ZealandBuying a laptop in New Zealand? Plain advice on processors, memory, storage, screens, ports and business versus home models so you choose the right one.
- Why you need backups, and how to set them upHard drives fail, laptops get stolen and ransomware locks files. Learn what a proper backup looks like and how to set one up for your home or office.
- Microsoft 365 for small business: what you getBusiness Basic, Standard and Premium explained. What Microsoft 365 includes for email, files, Teams and security, and what to set up properly from the start.
Cabling & networks
- Wi-Fi not working? How to fix it at home or workWi-Fi dropping out or crawling? Work through these practical checks for routers, laptops and coverage at home or in the office, and know when to get help.
- What is mesh Wi-Fi and do you need it?Mesh Wi-Fi uses several units working as one network to cover bigger homes and offices. Learn how it works, when it helps and when cabled access points win.
- Choosing security cameras for your home or businessWired or wireless, NVR or cloud, how many megapixels and where to mount them. A practical guide to choosing a CCTV system that records what you need.
- Cyber security basics for small businessesSmall businesses are easy targets for scammers and ransomware. The core protections - MFA, updates, backups, firewalls and staff awareness - explained simply.
Repairs
- Why is my computer slow? Causes and fixesA slow computer usually has a clear cause - an old hard drive, too little memory, startup clutter or malware. Here is how to find which one it is and fix it.
- Repair or replace your computer? How to decideWeighing up a repair against a new computer? Look at the fault, its age, Windows 11 support and your data to make a sensible call for home or business use.
- Which computer upgrades are worth the money?Not every upgrade earns its keep. See which computer upgrades - SSDs, memory, batteries, monitors and docks - give real gains, and which ones rarely pay off.
- A simple computer maintenance checklistKeep your computers running smoothly with this plain-English maintenance checklist covering updates, backups, storage, security and physical cleaning.
- Why your computer keeps freezingComputer freezing or locking up? Learn the common causes - overheating, failing drives, memory faults, drivers and software - and how to narrow them down.
- Still on Windows 10? The risks of not upgradingWindows 10 support ended in October 2025. Learn what that means for security, software and compliance, and how to upgrade or replace older computers safely.
- Common scams in New Zealand and how to spot themFake courier texts, bogus tech support calls, invoice fraud and romance scams. How the common NZ scams work, the warning signs and what to do if targeted.
- Let a scammer into your computer? What to do nowIf a caller talked you into installing remote access software, act quickly. Steps to disconnect, protect your bank accounts and make the computer safe again.
- How computers get viruses, and how to stop themMalware rarely appears by magic. Learn the real ways computers get infected - email, downloads, fake updates, old software - and the habits that prevent it.
- Can Macs get viruses?Macs are well protected but not immune. What threats affect macOS, how Apple's built-in defences work and the habits that keep a MacBook or iMac safe.
- Printer not working? A troubleshooting guidePrinter offline, jobs stuck in the queue, paper jams or faded prints? A step-by-step guide to fixing the most common printer problems on Windows and Mac.
Setups & installs
- How to move your files to a new computerGot a new computer? Here is how to move documents, photos, email, passwords and programs across safely, without leaving anything important behind.
- Can't log in to your email? Common causes and fixesPassword rejected, account locked or Outlook asking again and again? The usual reasons email sign-in fails and how to get back into your mailbox safely.
How to use these guides
Start with the quick checklist near the top of each guide: most everyday problems come down to a handful of causes, and the checklist covers the safe things to rule out first. Restarting equipment in the right order, checking cables and lights, and making sure updates have finished fixes more problems than people expect.
Stop when a step involves opening equipment, changing settings you can't undo, or anything to do with money or passwords after a scam. Those are the points where a mistake costs more than a visit. Each guide ends with what we would do on site, so you know what to expect if you book.
Business or home?
The same problems turn up in both, but the stakes differ. At home a slow laptop is an annoyance; in an office it is lost time for every person waiting on it. Where it matters, the guides point out what a business should do differently - shared backups, proper firewalls, documented settings - and when it is worth fixing the cause rather than the symptom.
What a visit looks like
When you book a job, you tell us what's going on and we reply with a time that suits you and a price. Nothing starts until you're happy with both.
On the day, the technician arrives, looks at the problem in person and confirms the plan with you before starting. If something turns out different from what was expected - a part is needed, or the cause is somewhere else - we stop and agree the change with you first.
When the work is done we test it with you, show you what was changed, and leave the area tidy. For business jobs we note what we did, so there is a record for whoever looks after your IT next.