Computer Lessons & Training
Lesson: video calls on your computer, on site
I want to video call family and join meetings on my laptop, but the camera and sound never seem to work.
I want to video call family and join meetings on my laptop, but the camera and sound never seem to work.
Video calls on a computer involve a few things that must all line up - the camera and microphone have to be allowed, the right speaker must be chosen, and the call program has to be installed and signed in. When any one is wrong, people hear nothing or see a black box and assume they did something wrong. We start by checking each piece on your own laptop or desktop and fixing anything that is not set up.
What the technician does
- Check the computer's camera, microphone and speakers
- Set up and practise the video call program you need
- Make a real test call together and write down the steps
If you have a call coming up, tell us which program it uses - Teams, Zoom or another.
About lesson: video calls on your computer
Then we practise the whole process, from opening an invitation in your email to joining, muting, turning the camera on and leaving the call. We make a real test call together so you see and hear how it feels from the other end. You keep written notes for the program you use most, with the buttons described as they appear on your screen, plus a short checklist to run through before an important call.
What usually causes it
- Camera or microphone access blocked in privacy settings
- Sound going to the wrong speaker or headset
- Not knowing how to open a meeting link from an email
- Different family members using different call programs
Before we arrive
- Your computer or laptop charged and switched on, with the password ready
- A short list of the things you most want to learn
- Your email address and password, if the lesson covers email
- For staff training, a quiet room and each person's own computer
What a visit looks like
When you book lesson: video calls on your computer, 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.
Pricing
From $135 + GST + $30 call-out ($185.25 incl. GST)
| Charge | Price | Incl. GST |
|---|---|---|
| Call-out, per onsite visit | $26.09 + GST | $30 |
| First hour on site | $135 + GST | $155.25 |
| Each half hour after the first hour | $60 + GST | $69 |
| Remote help session (no call-out) | $60 + GST | $69 |
| SuperGold card holders - first hour at home | $116 + GST | $133.40 |
Estimate your visit
$185.25 incl. GST, call-out included
An estimate at our standard rates. Bigger jobs get a free quote before we start.
Every visit includes
- Travel to your site
- Diagnosis on site
- Fix tested with you
- Plain-English explanation
- Notes for business jobs
- Tidy finish
Lesson: video calls on your computer is charged at our standard rates: a $30 call-out, the first hour, then half-hour blocks. We never charge by the minute or in 15-minute steps, and there are no hidden extras.
Larger jobs - a new network, a run of cabling, a server or a camera system - get a free quote before any work starts, so you know the cost up front. Parts and equipment are quoted and agreed before we order them.
There is no contract, no monthly fee and no membership. You book the job you need and pay for that job.
Lesson: video calls on your computer: questions
Which video call programs can you teach?
We commonly teach Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet and Skype on Windows and Mac computers. If family or work use something else, tell us beforehand and we will make sure it is set up and covered in the lesson.
My laptop has no camera. Can you help?
Yes. A plug-in webcam works well on most computers. We can set one up during the lesson, test it with the call program and show you how to make sure the computer is using it rather than looking for a missing built-in camera.
Do you do lesson: video calls on your computer on site?
Yes. We come to businesses and homes across Auckland and Hamilton and do the work where the equipment is.
How much does lesson: video calls on your computer cost?
It depends on what's involved. Tell us about the job on the form and we'll confirm the price before any work starts.