Computer help in plain English
Friendly, patient computer help across East Yorkshire and the East Riding. Help with laptops, phones, tablets, Wi-Fi, scams, viruses and everyday online tasks.
Welcome
Welcome to Tech Help East Yorkshire.
I help people get to grips with computers, phones and tablets — patiently, in normal words, and at whatever pace suits them. Most of the people who get in touch have already been told to "just look it up online", or have had somebody talk at them for twenty minutes using words that meant nothing at all. That isn't help, and it isn't how I do it.
A lot has quietly become compulsory over the last few years. Repeat prescriptions, banking, doctor's appointments, renewing a licence, even finding out when your bin goes out — all of it has moved onto a screen, and much of it moved there quickly. If nobody ever sat down and showed you how, that is not a failing on your part. It simply got harder.
So I've started this to help, and while I'm getting going it costs nothing. Email me and I'll work out what's likely wrong and talk you through fixing it, one step at a time. Or we'll meet somewhere local over a brew and go through it together, with your own laptop or phone in front of you.
You won't be rushed, you won't be made to feel daft for asking, and you'll always know what I've done and why before we finish. And if you'd rather learn to sort it yourself next time, I'd far sooner show you than have you stuck again.
Two ways I can help
Pick whichever suits you. Both are free.
Ask me by email
Tell me what's going wrong in your own words — you don't need to know what anything is called. I'll work out what it's likely to be and talk you through fixing it, one step at a time. Ask as many questions as you like. There's no rush and no charge.
Meet me for a cuppa
If you'd rather somebody just had a look at it, we can meet in a café in your town. Bring the laptop, phone or tablet along and I'll go through it with you over a brew. It's free. Anything I can fix there and then, I will. And if it turns out to need proper tools and money spending, I'll write down exactly what's wrong, point you at the best repair shop near you, and come along with you if you'd rather not go on your own.
What I can help with
Slow computers
Laptops that take ten minutes to start up, freeze halfway through, or have got slower and slower over the years.
Viruses and pop-ups
Something keeps flashing up on the screen, or a menu opens on its own when you haven't touched anything.
Scam checks
Had a text, email or phone call you weren't sure about? Send it over and I'll tell you straight.
Wi-Fi and internet
Keeps cutting out, won't reach the back bedroom, or has never quite worked properly since it was put in.
Printers and email
Printer says offline, emails have stopped coming through, or you can't remember a password you set years ago.
Phones and tablets
Getting photos off it, making the writing bigger, freeing up space, or video calling the grandchildren.
Everyday online jobs
The NHS App, repeat prescriptions, online banking, renewing a licence or passport, checking your bin day.
Where I can meet you
If you'd like to meet up, these are the towns and villages I can get to. Email works wherever you are. Pick your town for a bit more detail.
Not on the list? Get in touch anyway and I'll let you know.
Videos — coming soon
I'm putting together short videos that walk you through things one step at a time, slowly, so you can pause and follow along on your own phone or computer. The first one goes up on Friday, and there'll be a new one every Friday after that.
The idea is that a lot of the things people ask me about are the same handful of jobs. If there's a video showing you how, you can have a go yourself whenever it suits you — and if it doesn't go to plan, then you get in touch and we'll sort it together.
What I'll be covering
If there's something you'd like covering, tell me and I'll make that one next.