Who do you call for computer help?

After going ape (not a pretty sight) I 'ring a friend'

DH, but I always think twice or three times before asking. Since the time I suggested my comp would work better if he re-loaded windows. Took the whole weekend.

But this week the hinge on this middle aged macbook air has broken and they said Apple shop said they would fix it for free. But they will KEEP IT for a couple of days. Whimper whimper. How will i manage? have to make a plan to get through cold turkey.

PRINTMISS - that's it! 'Log me in'! That's what my computer 'saviour' does - instead of having to trail all the way here!

When I started using my first laptop I called a helpline. The person I spoke to was very polite but I couldn't understand him due to his foreign accent, so I had to end the call. Eventually sorted myself out using my several 'idiot guides"

I post a query on one of my expat forums and somebody always has the answer, although I often have to ask them to repeat it in words I understand.
One man said 'Have you compacted your folders?' What??????
I also use Registry Reviver to 'clean' my computer - it tells me what 'errors' it finds and corrects them, but I have no idea what these errors are, or what mayhem they might cause if not corrected.
At the moment, I am having problems with ^ and < suddenly replacing letters and I have to use System Restore - somebody on one of my forums told me about that.
I use the end of the hose on my vacuum cleaner to suck out dust from the air intakes, but I am scared to take off the cover of my laptop to brush it out with a fine paint brush, as advised, in case I do some damage.

My lovely son-in-law, it is never too much trouble for him, and we have log-me-in, which is a bit wierd, because he takes control of the mouse, and it moves all over the screen, on it's own, just like a mouse. I do like to try to solve some problems myself but of course technical things are beyond me, (and my son in law sometimes,) that's when I call the professional who lives just round the corner, but does it for a living, so I have to pay him.
My husband, never reads the instructions on the screen (typical man?), and tries to do all sorts of things which are beyond his capabilities,so I do spend some time trying to sort out his problems. He has fingers like sausages on the keyboard. It is a great way to learn.

My friend's son! He's invaluable! He can also sort some problems 'remotely', which is so handy.

My son or a good friend of mine who used to work for M & S and deal with all their computer problems. I'm getting pretty good at sorting out my own pc problems though, I usually have a go at googling for the answers before I get hold of anyone else and I'm not afraid to have a go.

Never use professionals as they are condesending and speak to you in geeky language,either call for service's of DGS1 or one of my virtual friends from GN who can always help with problems.

I don't. Three cpmputer buffs in the family already.

No one has mentioned a professional help line yet - does anyone actually use them?

My son-in-law.

My husband, he builds and repairs them for a living.

I call on my eldest daughter, she still lives here, and if it`s beyond her capabilities (rarely) I call in number one son, he works with computers.