What happens if you cannot fix it?

Then there is nothing to pay. No fix, no fee. If the machine needs a workshop or a data recovery lab, I will tell you who to ring.

Will you tell me if my computer is not worth repairing?

Yes. If a machine is past the point where repair makes sense, I will say so rather than bill you for propping it up. I do not sell computers and I take no commission from anyone.

I am not confident with computers at all. Is that a problem?

Not in the least. Lessons are one to one, at your own pace, on your own machine, and you can ask the same question as many times as you like. There are small group classes too, which many people find less daunting than sitting on their own.

How do I know you are not a scam?

Fair question, and worth asking of anyone. I never cold-call, and I never contact you out of the blue. You get in touch with me, you get a price before I start, and you pay after the work is done, never before. I will never ask for gift cards, bank transfers or card details over the phone.

Carrickmacross & south Monaghan

Computer help, in plain English.

I'm Paddy, from Carrickmacross. I've worked with computers for a living for years, and I help people around the town get theirs working properly — or finally understand how to use them.

No jargon, no upselling, and no talking down to you. You'll get a price before I start, and it won't change afterwards.

I can work over a video call, or come to your house.

A price before I startAgreed up front. If the job turns out bigger, I stop and ring you first.
No fix, no feeIf I can't sort the problem, you don't pay me for trying.
I'll tell you to keep your moneyIf a machine isn't worth repairing, I'll say so rather than bill you for propping it up.
Nothing sold to youNo subscriptions, no “cleaner” software, no commission from anyone.

Learning how to use it

One to one, at your pace, on your own machine. We cover whatever you actually want to do — email, photos, video calls, online banking, avoiding scams, getting a printer to behave.

One session45 minutes over a video call. I can see your screen, you stay in your own chair.

€45

One session, at your house45 minutes, sitting beside you at your own desk.

€70

Four sessionsOver a video call. Most people find things stick better spread over a month.

€160

Four sessions, at your houseSame again, in person.

€260

A small groupUp to six people, 90 minutes, at your club, parish hall or the library. Bring a friend — most people find it far less daunting than sitting on their own.

€20 a head

Ask me the same question as many times as you like. That's the job.

Fixing things

Slow machines, things that won't start, printers, wi-fi that drops, email that's stopped working, a laptop full of pop-ups.

Sorted over a video callUp to an hour. Works for most software problems.

€60

I come to youFirst hour, then €45 per half hour. Travel included around Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Inniskeen, Kingscourt, Shercock, Ardee and Dundalk. Further out, ring me and we'll sort something.

€90

The slow computer overhaulA proper going-over: clear-out, updates, start-up programs, and an honest word on whether more memory or a new drive would be money well spent.

€140 fixed

New computer set upOut of the box, everything moved over from the old one, and an hour showing you around it.

€120

No fix, no fee. If I can't solve it, there's nothing to pay — and I'll tell you who can.

What I don't do

Better to say it now than waste your time.

Screen, battery and other physical repairs — that's a workshop job, and I'll point you at a good one.
Recovering files from a drive that has physically failed. That needs a specialist lab.
Anything on a work computer your employer manages.
Emergencies. I'm not a 24-hour call-out service — see below.

Before you let anyone near your computer

Including me. This is worth knowing whoever you call.

Nobody legitimate rings you first. Microsoft, Apple, your bank and your broadband provider do not cold-call about a virus on your computer. If someone rings you saying that, hang up. It is always a scam, no exceptions.

Never let a stranger connect to your screen because they contacted you. Connecting remotely is a normal, useful thing — but only when you made the call, to a number you looked up yourself.

Nobody real asks for gift cards, bank transfers to “protect” your money, or your card details over the phone to issue a refund.

If you're ever unsure about something that's happened, email me and ask. I won't charge you for that conversation.

Getting in touch

Tell me what the machine is doing, or what you'd like to learn. A sentence or two is plenty — you don't need to know the technical words for it. I answer every email within a day, and I'll ring you back if that's easier.

Would rather write? hi@paddyb.com

When I'm available: evenings and Saturday mornings. I'll always tell you honestly when I can get to you — and if it's urgent and I can't, I'll say so straight away rather than leave you waiting.

All prices include VAT. Payment by cash, bank transfer or card after the work is done, never before.