FAQ
Everyone Needs a Smart Friend
Everyone Needs a Smart Friend
How much do your tech services usually cost?
Prices start at $80 and go up based on time or difficulty
Do you offer discounts if I need more than one thing done?
Yes, there is a discount for having multiple services performed on the same visit
Is there a travel fee for in‑home service?
We do charge a travel fee for travel time over 20 minutes to recover Gas and Time spent on the road
Can you come out on evenings or weekends?
Although appointments are available upon request, there is a 20% up charge for evening or weekend work
How far do you travel for appointments?
Most cities in Northwest Arkansas including Bentonville, Bella Vista, Rogers, Springdale, Pea Ridge, Avoca, Cave Springs, Gateway, Gentry, Fayetteville, Farmington and surrounding cities. We can also provide support in parts of eastern Oklahoma and Southwest Missouri such as Pineville and Anderson.
How long does a typical service visit take?
It can take as little as 20 minutes for PC, Mac and Printer support and as long as multiple days depending on the type of service you might need. Some smart home and sound system setups can take multiple days to install and setup.
Do I need to prepare anything before you arrive?
It is best to have a clean work area and a path to be able to get to the work area. Write down any questions that you have or list each of the things that you would like to get accomplished before we arrive.
Do you work on both Windows and Mac computers?
Yes, we work on both Windows and Mac OS computers as well as Android Tablets, Phones and iOS devices like iPads and iPhones.
Can you help me figure out which service I actually need?
Yes, the support that you will receive will be based on what you actually need done and not limited to the name or description of the service that you initially schedule with us.
Can you remove a virus from my computer?
Yes, In most cases a virus infection is easy to remove and we have multiple virus scanners as well as vast knowledge of manual removal of most viral infections.
How do I know if my computer has malware?
One of the best options is to install and run a free scan with Malwarebytes. it is one of the most effective malware scanners and will give you an option to remove anything that it finds.
Do you clean both Windows PCs and Macs?
Yes, a Tuneup can be performed on both PC's and Macs and can help with removing junk files and improve overall performance.
Can you fix problems caused by hacking or pop‑ups?
Yes, if you believe that you have been hacked, disconnect the internet from the affected device and call us or your technician right away. If a hacker has gotten into your device, they often put a program on your device to let them get back in without your permission. Popups are often very simple to remove and are rarely related to hacking or being hacked.
Can you make my computer run faster?
Yes, a Tuneup or a PC Upgrade with more RAM or an SSD can make your PC run much faster.
Can you install more RAM or a new SSD for me?
Yes, Most RAM upgrades only take a few minutes although some computers make doing a RAM upgrade impossible due to its manufacturing process. If your computer has a traditional HDD or multiple slots for SSD's, we can install them for you.
Can you help me choose the right upgrade for my computer?
Yes, there are easy ways to find out the most compatible items for your computer and there are multiple sources available to purchase them.
Is it cheaper to upgrade my computer or buy a new one?
We would have to perform an evaluation on the age and performance of your computer and verify that it is capable of being upgraded enough to meet the requirements for the uses that you have for it. In many cases, upgrading is cheaper however if the cost of an upgrade starts to approach the cost of replacing the computer, we will recommend replacing it instead.
Can you help me back up my files?
Yes, we can offer multiple types of backup solutions ranging from USB or External HDD backup, NAS Network Based Backup or Cloud Backups. It is always a good idea to backup anything that you don't want to lose.
Can you recover files I accidentally deleted?
Yes, many files can be recovered if they were deleted. Files that are stored in the cloud can be harder to recover however many cloud providers keep deleted files for up to 30 days just in case.
Can you get back photos or documents from a broken computer?
Yes, it is possible to recover files from a broken computer. As long as the HDD doesn't have a mechanical failure, often the files can still be recovered. If your computer was using drive encryption, recovery is often impossible.
Is data recovery guaranteed?
No, unfortunately not all recovery attempts are successful. We can provide a preliminary scan / test on your data and let you know what the likelihood of recovery will be.
Can you recover files from cloud accounts like email or Facebook?
Not always. E-mail can sometimes be recovered if the trash has not been emptied but Facebook does not offer options to recover deleted posts.
Can you install software on my computer?
Yes. Software that requires a CD / DVD drive can be installed using our USB DVD Drive and Software that has to be downloaded from the internet can be easily downloaded and installed for you.
Can you help me pick the right program for what I need?
Yes. We are familiar with many different computer industries and can recommend the right programs to accomplish whatever task that you need.
Why isn’t my software opening or working right?
There can be multiple reasons for a program not working or opening properly. We can examine error logs and discover software errors or compatibility issues to help solve your issues.
Can you fix apps that keep crashing?
Yes. In most cases an app crash can be fixed as long as the app is designed to be able to run on your computer.
Can you teach me how to use my phone or tablet?
Yes, we can. We are familiar with most phone brands and models and can help you to customize and learn how to use the features that your phone provides or to make it easy to access the things that matter most.
Can you show me how to use my computer better?
Yes, we can. Whether you are using a PC or a Mac and have been using a computer for a long time or have recently updated, we can help you to understand it, get all of the proper software installed, and teach you how to use it.
Can you help me learn about smart home devices?
Yes, we can. Smart Home and Home Automation devices can be daunting, but there are many ways to learn about them and to make your home work smarter for you without making it complicated. The important thing is to understand what kinds of things can be done and decide what you are most interested in doing. Planning your Smart Home is easier if you know what you are interested in doing.
Do you offer patient, step‑by‑step training?
Yes, we do. We can guide you step-by-step through almost any technology task.
Whether you want to learn how to use your TV, sound system, phone, tablet, computer, smart home devices, or just about anything that plugs in, we can walk you through it in a simple, stress‑free way.
We can also create custom step‑by‑step guides—with visuals—so you have an easy reference for complicated or repetitive tasks.
Can you help me set up a new email account?
Yes, we can. If you need help setting up a new email address—or you just want a backup account—we can walk you through the process and get everything set up the right way.
Why aren’t my emails syncing across my devices?
The most common cause is a recently changed email password or an email account set up using POP instead of IMAP.
We can help you fix the issue and make sure your email works properly across all your devices—your phone, computer, and tablet.
Can you fix the problems with my contacts or calendar not updating?
Yes, we can. There are multiple ways to get contacts and calendars to sync, and you have to use the same method on every device to make them all work together. We can help you find the best method to use and get it set up for you.
Can you help me organize my inbox?
Yes, we can. We can also show you some of the best practices to use and how to implement them yourself, so you can continue to keep your inbox clean and organized after we are done.
Can you set up parental controls on my kids’ devices?
Yes, we can. We recommend Aura Parental Controls. They offer a large number of features and are suppored by most phones and computers. Check out our review here.
Can you block certain websites or apps?
Yes, we can. There are miltiple ways to do this and using an appropriate parental control app is one of the best ways.
Can you help me manage screen time for my kids?
Yes, we can. Most phones have this feature built in however it is often best to use a full featured Parental Control app to keep track of activity and set screen time boundries.
What tools do you recommend for online safety?
We recommend Aura Parental Controls. They offer a large number of features and are suppored by most phones and computers. Check out our review here.
Can you set up my new printer?
Yes, we can. Over the last 30 years we have setup thousands of printers from every manufacturer.
Why won’t my printer connect to Wi‑Fi?
Not all printers can connect to WiFi and the ones that do usually require an app or a PC to tell the printer how to connect to the WiFi. If the printer is capable of connecting to WiFi, we can deffinately do it for you.
Can you fix a printer that suddenly stopped working?
In most cases, yes. There are a limited number of reasons why a printer will stop working and we are familiar with all of them and how to fix them.
Can you help me print from my phone or tablet?
Yes, we can. Most modern wireless printers allow phones and tablets to print to them and we can help you get that setup and working.
Can you help me set up cloud storage like Google Drive or iCloud?
Yes, we can. We are well versed in many types of cloud storage and can help you get your cloud storage solution setup and working and easy to use.
Why aren’t my files syncing between devices?
In most cases it is because you do not have a cloud backup system setup or it is not setup properly. We can help you to get it setup or setup to work like it is designed to.
Can you show me how to back up my photos automatically?
Yes, we can. There are multiple cloud backup services that can do this and can help you find the best one to use based on the devices that you have to make it as easy as possible.
Can you fix slow Wi‑Fi in my house?
Yes, we can. Slow Wi-Fi is usually simple to fix however having fast Wi-Fi does not fix slow internet. We can make your Wi-Fi go as fast as your internet connection allows.
Can you help me get Wi‑Fi in every room?
Yes, we can. A proper Mesh Router that is installed correctly can give you both really fast Wi-Fi speed and coverage to every part of your house. Even your outdoor spaces can get good Wi-Fi coverage.
Do I need a mesh Wi‑Fi system?
Sometimes. The size, shape and materials that go into the construction of your space will help to determine if you need a Mesh Router or can get by with a simple router.
Can you set up a wireless bridge for my home?
Yes, we can. A wireless bridge is a great way to send the Wi-Fi from your house over to a garage, deck, marina or shop up to a mile away without having to run wires in between.
Can you set up smart lights in my home?
Yes, we can. Smart lights can be very flexible, covering types such as Smart Bulbs, Smart Switches or even Smart Plugs that you can plug existing lamps into.
Can I control my lights with my voice?
Yes, you can. The important things is to figure out what is the best system for you before you start investing money. Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant offer a large assortment of options for this but not all devices can be controlled by every voice assistant. it is always best to come up with a plan and then purchase the right devices to make it easy to use.
Can you make my lights turn on automatically when I walk in?
Yes, we can. Home automations like this can be done in multiple ways and planning ahead can help save you a bunch of money. Whether you are starting from scratch or want to make this work with existing equipment, we can help you get started.
Do smart lights help save energy?
When properly setup, especially with home automation, they can save you quite a bit of electricity. Being able to turn off lights in rooms that are not in use or have them turn on or off automatically based on a timer can be really helpful.
Can you set up my smart plugs, thermostats, or smart screens?
Yes, we can. We are proficient with all popular brands and hundreds of off brand devices and can get them setup and working for you.
Can you help me connect all my smart home devices together?
Yes, we can. Many devices can be controlled using Smart Screens or Hubs such as the Homey Smart Hub or Home Assistant.
Why isn’t my smart device responding?
There are multiple possible reasons for this but the most common fix is to turn it off and back on again or restarting your Wi-Fi. If the basic fixes don't work, we would be happy to help you get them working again.
Can you help me control everything from one app?
Yes, we can. Using Smart Screens or Hubs such as the Homey Smart Hub or Home Assistant, you can create something called a Dashboard that can have all of your devices on 1 screen to be controlled as you see fit.
Can you set up a shared family calendar?
Yes, we can. Shared family calendars can be setup using multiple different services and we can help you decide which one to use and get it setup to share on all of your family devices.
Can you mount a smart calendar display on my wall?
Yes, we can. Calendars such as the SkyLight calendar come with the mount in the box. The wall that you install it on will require power to be within range of the calendar.
Can you hide the power cord for a wall‑mounted screen?
Sometimes, yes. The construction of the wall where the calendar is being hung needs to allow for the installation of an In Wall Power Extension Kit in order to hide the power cord. Walls with a pocket door and most exterior walls do not allow for this.
Can you help me get reminders on all my devices?
Yes, we can. Calendars need to have default reminders setup to get this to work and we can help you get your notification / reminder settings setup.
Can you help me set up Netflix, Hulu, or YouTube TV?
Yes, we can. Streaming services can be setup for use on a phone, tablet, computer, streaming device such as a Roku or Fire Stick or even your TV.
Why can’t I get my streaming apps to work on my TV?
Not all streaming services work on every TV. Sometimes you just have to add a Streaming device such as a Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV or Google TV Streamer to get it working on your TV.
Can you organize all my streaming services in one place?
Yes, we can. Organizing streaming services into an easy to access location is one of the most important thing you can do to simplify using streaming services.
Can you help me switch from cable to streaming?
Yes, we can. Streaming services come in both watch on demand and live streaming options. We can help you decide what streaming service will give you the best experience based on what you are looking for.
Can you set up my home theater receiver?
Yes, we can. We can setup a basic stereo speaker system al the way up to a full Dolby Atmos surround sound systems.
Can you connect my ceiling or outdoor speakers?
Yes, we can. As long as there is access to the area above the speakers so that wires can be run or existing wires can be accessed, installed and setting up these types of speakers can be easily done.
Why isn’t my surround sound working right?
There can be multiple reasons for this but the most common reasons are incorrect sound mode or speaker settings or the receiver may need to be unplugged for about 60 seconds and then plug it back in again.
Can you update my receiver or audio equipment?
Most modern receivers that connect to your Wi-Fi have the option to be updated to gain more stability or new features. If your device doesn't support updating, we can help you get more up to date equipment in order to support the more modern sound technologies used by modern movies and TV shows.
Can you set up my Sonos speakers?
Yes, we can.
Can you help me build a whole‑home Sonos system?
Yes, we can. Sonos offers options to both replace existing speakers and options to use your existing speakers to make a whole-home sound system that can be controlled by Sonos.
Why isn’t my Sonos connecting to Wi‑Fi?
There are multiple possible reasons for this however the most common is related to your Wireless Network. Not all wireless networks are the same and you may need to update your Wireless Network to make it compatible.
Can you sync my Sonos with my TV or other devices?
Yes, we can. Depending on the type of TV that you have, Sonos offers multiple options to get this done.