Do you have a problem with a software application or your computing device? Our volunteers may be able to fix it.
We have a Get Help section on this website that is organized by topics. (If you are reading a handout, the website is https://wvcomputerclub.org) Select the appropriate topic and then select a volunteer. If you don’t know which topic is appropriate, select what you think is the best choice.
You may email or phone our volunteers. Each volunteer has indicated on the Get Help page their email address, phone number, and what hours of the day they are available.
We do not expect you to be able to explain the problem. We ask that you tell our volunteers what you are trying to do and what you are seeing that indicates there is a problem.
When the volunteer gets back to you, they will likely first want to talk with you over the phone to better understand the problem before they decide what they should do next.
It might surprise you, but in some cases our volunteers can solve the problem by telling you what you need to do over the phone. In some cases, the volunteer will decide that they need to come to you to fix the problem. A volunteer may decide that the best way to fix the problem is by working with you and your computing device over the Internet.
To work with you over the Internet, they will ask you to work with a software app that allows them to access and work with your computing device. It is important that you know that the software apps that we use require your explicit approval before a volunteer can access your computing device.
Our volunteers have a range of software apps that will support access to your computing device. The volunteer will select an app that they think best matches your level of comfort when working with a computer. Here are the current apps that we use, however a volunteer may select one not listed here.
Zoom – Zoom runs on Android, iPhone, Windows, macOS, and Linux. If you do not have Zoom installed already, the volunteer will help you install and start it. If you are familiar with Zoom, the volunteer will walk you through the steps of using Zoom to fix the problem.
Microsoft Quick Assist – Quick Assist runs on Windows computers, only. Quick Assist is already installed on computers running Windows 11 but may need to be installed on Windows 10 computers before it can be used. Quick Assist is easy to start and to use. Microsoft has produced a short video about using Quick Assist. Your volunteer will work with you to install and use Quick Assist.
TeamViewer – If you have a Windows computer, the volunteer may choose to use the TeamViewer Quick Support Module, which does not require any installation. It will help if you watch TeamViewer’s Remote Control video first. Scroll down to watch the Remote Control video.
Here are the steps to use the Quick Support Module:
- Go to the Team Viewer website and hit Enter. The app TeamViewerQS.exe will be downloaded.
- Go to the Downloads folder on your device and double-click the TeamViewerQS.exe file.
- A window asking you if want to allow TeamViewerQS to make changes to your computer will appear. Click Yes.
- A window asking you if want to allow TeamViewerQS to make changes to your computer will appear. Click Yes.
- Finally, a Receive Support window will appear. The volunteer will give you the Session code to enter. Then, click Connect. The volunteer can now see your computer and work with you to fix the problem.
If you are using iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, or even Windows, the volunteer may choose to have you install TeamViewer on your device. Watching the TeamViewer video, above, will help you to follow the volunteer’s instructions.
Chrome Remote Desktop – Although Google’s products are known to collect as much information as possible from users, the volunteer may choose to use Chrome Remote Desktop. Chrome Remote Desktop may be used on macOS, Windows, or Linux. Chrome Remote Desktop also has apps for iOS and Android which may make it possible for the volunteer to help you while they are away from their laptop or desktop computer.
You will need your Gmail user name and password to use Chrome Remote Desktop or you will need to create a Google account. Go to the Chrome Remote Desktop using your browser. It isn’t necessary to use the Chrome browser. Log into Google, follow the instructions, including setting up remote access by downloading the app and following the instructions, including setting a PIN. The Remote Desktop is an extension in your browser. Your browser must be open for the volunteer to access your device. The volunteer can log into your device once you tell them the PIN. After the volunteer has finished, we suggest that you completely disable the Remote Desktop extension. Your volunteer will walk you through the steps of installing and disabling the extension.