Online Help
techbuddy's online help is the fastest, least expensive way to get help
with your computer problems.
Using special software,
we can see what is on your computer's monitor and,
with your permission, control the keyboard and mouse. Combined with a
simultaneous phone call, online help is almost like having your
techbuddy sitting at your elbow.
Note: If you can't access the Internet, online help won't work.
Please see either our
Troubleshooting Your Network Connection page,
or our On-site Service page.
Installing Online Help Software
Before you call for online help, please download and install
the appropriate software package for your computer.
If you encounter any problems or are uncomfortable doing this yourself,
give us a call and we can walk you through it over the phone.
Our number is 707.829.3793.
Windows Users
Most of our customers are running some version of Microsoft Windows.
For them, we have a special version of VNC that is quick to
download and requires no configuration.
- Click on this link, techbuddy.exe,
and save it to your Desktop. (You may get a warning message
but it's OK, trust me.)
You should now see the techbuddy icon,
 , on your Desktop.
- When you need help, just double-click on the icon and
call the support number. We will guide you from there.
Other Operating Systems
If you are using something other than Windows, getting set up is a
bit more complicated. Once you have downloaded
the appropriate file, visit the home page of the group and
follow the installation instructions. Problems? Call 707.829.3793.
How Do You Do That?
Our online help uses VNC (virtual network computing), a technology
that was originally developed at AT&T Labs in Cambridge, UK.
VNC "hooks" into your computer's display code at a low level.
It creates a highly compressed representation of what is on
your screen and sends it to us.
It also allows us to use our mouse and keyboard as if they were
directly connected to your computer.
Security Note:
At all times you are in control of the session.
Only you can start it
(when you start the the techbuddy program) and you can
end it at any time.
There may be times when you want us to
access your computer when you aren't there,
but we can only do this by installing other, specialized software.
And even then, you can still terminate things at any time.
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