Answers...

to commonly asked questions.

covid

Setting up wifi remotely in the age of COVID

This electronics co gave us a $8k wired solution estimate ... not what we want .... We just want wifi in our home.
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That is ridiculous. I could easily do it for you for only $7999. No need to spend all that extra money.

Ok, seriously though. That is ridiculous.

Hard wired home networks are great and all but wifi technology has grown so much in the last several years that there’s not really a need to have ethernet running through your home unless you live inside a lead box buried under the ocean. So here are a few options.

1. Buy a new Orbi system I’ve recommended in the past). FaceTime with me as we get it set up remotely. I’ve done this with a few people. It takes a little more time and patience but so far we’ve been 100% successful. It can be frustrating for the user but if you have patience we can accomplish the setup.

2. You could buy the system, I pick it up, set it up, bring it back then you plug it in to your existing system however there are many more things that can go wrong with this so I prefer we set up remotely.

We CAN do this as long as the user is patient. Usually I would be onsite, push all the buttons, ask a few questions, and about 1 hour later everything is done. But due to our world currently burning to the ground, we can work remotely.

Do not pay anyone that kind of money. What the F are they talking about? That is the most insane thing I’ve heard this year. Are the ethernet cables made from unicorn tears?

Are you doing house calls? I don't have COVID.

We are in need of upgrading our iMac and potentially our WiFi system as well. I understand that you are not doing in-home visits (and I get it), but it turns out that I apparently have had asymptomatic covid in the past and now have the antibodies. Would that make it possible to do an in-home visit? Happy to share the recent test results with you if that helps. I completely understand if you still prefer not to, but thought I would ask.
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I appreciate the question but unfortunately I’m playing it super strict for now due to concerns for my own family. So at this time I am not entering homes which makes it very difficult to work on wifi networks and printer issues as you may have read on my website. For data transfers I am picking up and dropping off if the situation requires it and happy to do so with your iMac if we felt that would resolve any software issues.

So a few options:

1. There are several companies out there in the CLT area that are working on site and could install your new wifi network.
2. I could walk your through the install remotely but I do ask people have tremendous patience during that because it’s sort of like telling someone how to land an airplane from the ground.
3. Depending on the exact situation of your home, I can also pick up the devices, configure them, return them to you pre-setup then you just plug them in. But that option has to be discussed to see if it would work for your house.

Currently I’ve been recommending the Orbi wifi systems and everyone has been very happy with them for about 2 years now. Very positive feedback overall so I think it’s the best choice for new wifi in the home.

Let me know your thoughts. Happy to assist any way I can within these crazy times.

Can you solve wifi issues remotely?

Can you solve our wifi issues without coming into our house? We have apple routers and we don't know the passwords.
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Looks like I won’t be entering homes for quite some time so if the apple router issue continues to be something you’d like to resolve, we CAN most likely solve it remotely but it would require some patience on your part. It would sort of be like me throwing darts with my eyes closed. It can be done but will be a little frustrating for you. I just wanted to set those expectations ahead of time.

In regard to a password, the password to your apple router(s) would either be the same password as your old wifi network or the word “password” itself.

Are you doing data transfers during COVID and how big a drive do I need?

Last year when we got this one, you helped take stuff off one and put it on the new one and cleaned up the old one for my son.... can you do that again for the new one we get for my daughter ? Also, I’m not sure how to get it since the Apple store is closed. Do I just order it on line? I’d get exactly what we have now- Mac air but I remember I had to exchange this one initially due to lack of space. So I got 38 ??
Can you please tell me what to order and do you still do the set up like you did last year?

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I’d be happy to get the data transferred over for you from the old computer to your new one. When you’re ready, you can schedule a dropoff/pickup on my site using the link below. I am not currently entering homes but I am picking up and dropping off computers while we remain in phase II covid. Other than that, I am working exclusively via online sessions using Zoom. Once I pick the computers up, I’ll probably have some questions regarding passwords, AppleIDs etc so we can discuss over FaceTime or phone call. Then I’ll try to have the computers back to you by the next day. Usually about 24 hours turn around.

Ordering online via apple.com is the best option in my opinion. Yes space is defiantly a problem when people buy new machines. They tend to buy a smaller hard drive than they actually need. To find out the size of your current drive and how much data is on it, you can go under the black apple in the top left corner of your screen and choose “About this Mac”. From there, you’ll see “storage”. Select that and it will tell you the actual size of your drive and how much data is currently on it. For example: 1TB drive with 300 gigs used.

After you’ve seen that information, you will want to choose a drive that is at least equal to or greater than the one you have. I’m guessing that you may end up with a 512 gig hard drive but I honestly don’t remember the details of your computer. You are welcome to tell me the size once you find it then I can make a more specific recommendation for you if you’d like.

battery replacement during COVID

I need to get these batteries replaced in these 2 MacBooks, any recommendations on how to do that?
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Apple store would be the way to go on battery replacement in my opinion. Since the apple store is closed or limited service, you’d maybe have to mail them in via their AppleCare line. Not pleasant.

When will you be doing in home sessions again?

I need help at home with our wireless network. when will you be visiting homes again?
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Hoping to start in home sessions at phase 3. Unfortunately NC COVID cases aren’t improving right now. I am limiting to online zoom sessions and pickup/dropoffs of data transfers. Except for printers, and wifi networking, almost everything else I do support wise, I can accomplish via remote session.

Are you still working onsite during COVID?

I really need you to come to my house. Can you make an exception for us? We are all healthy over here.
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I’m still stuck under the Meck. COVID order. I’m hoping after May 8th things will lighten up but the shelter in place orders will be lifting in phases. Not sure what phase my business will fall under but I’m thinking I’ll be able to start working back on site in phase 2. Until then, as my business is non essential, I'm stuck only able to work remotely.
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