Friendly tech help, by phone
Your own tech person, just a phone call away.
I'm Dawson Toth. I help people, a lot of them parents and grandparents, with the phones, email, TVs and gadgets that quit at the worst moment. We start with a quick email to get to know each other. After that, when something breaks, you call me and we fix it together.
Writing for a parent? Wonderful. Tell me about them, and we'll set it up together.
- You: The TV just says “No signal,” and nothing I press works.
- Dawson: Let's fix that. On your remote, find the button that says Input or Source.
- You: Okay… a little menu popped up.
- Dawson: Perfect. Try each HDMI option until the picture comes back.
- You: HDMI 2… there it is! What did I do?
- Dawson: Nothing wrong. Somebody just bumped the input button. Happens all the time.
If it plugs in, charges or connects to Wi-Fi, I can probably help.
Here's what people need help with most. Not on the list? Ask anyway.
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Phones & tablets
iPhone, Android and iPad. Storage full, updates, bigger text, ringtones, and settings that changed on their own.
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Email, calendars & contacts
Appointments missing from the iPad, mail that stopped arriving, contacts that didn't move to the new phone.
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TVs & streaming
“No signal,” remotes that won't cooperate, Netflix and YouTube sign-ins, Roku, Fire TV and Apple TV.
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Scams & hacked accounts
Clicked a bad link, a pop-up that won't go away, a caller “from Microsoft,” or locked out of an account.
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Wi-Fi & internet
Slow or dropped Wi-Fi, a new router from the cable company, or getting the printer or doorbell back online.
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Smart home & outdoor lights
Landscape lights that won't come on, timers, smart plugs, doorbell cameras and thermostats.
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Computers & printers
Mac or PC. Slow startups, printers that won't print, and moving everything onto a new computer.
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Photos & backups
“iCloud storage full,” getting photos off the phone, and sharing albums with the grandkids.
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Passwords & sign-ins
Forgotten passwords, those six-digit codes, and a simple way to keep track of it all that actually sticks.
Get to know me first. Then I'm a phone call away.
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Send me an email
Tell me who needs help, which devices you use, and what's been giving you trouble. Writing on behalf of a parent is perfect too.
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Let's get acquainted
I'll write back to set up a first call. We'll talk through your setup and how you like to be helped, so there are no surprises later.
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Call when you're stuck
Once we've met, you'll have my direct number. When something stops working, call, and we'll fix it together one step at a time.
Take a breath. Then do these four things.
These scams fool smart, careful people every day. There's no shame in it, and the sooner you act, the more we can undo.
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Stop and hang up
Don't send any more money, gift cards or codes. Real companies never ask to be paid in gift cards.
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Disconnect
If someone was controlling your computer, turn off its Wi-Fi or unplug it from the internet.
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Call your bank
Use the number on the back of your card, never one from an email, text or pop-up.
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Then reach out to me
Already working with me? Call. If we haven't met yet, email me with “scam” in the subject line.
Tired of being the family help desk?
If you're fixing Mom's remote over the phone from three states away, introduce us. I'll get to know her and her devices, and I'm glad to keep you in the loop. Once we've talked, print her a fridge card with my number.
Scammers pretend to be tech support. Here's what I will never do.
- Call you out of the blue about a problem you didn't tell me about.
- Ask you to pay with gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
- Ask for your bank password, or the codes your bank texts you.
If someone claiming to be me does any of these, hang up. Then call the number I gave you, or email dawson@toth.support.
Good questions, plain answers.
Why start with an email?
So we know each other before something breaks. I'll learn which devices you have and how you like to be helped, and you'll know who you're talking to. When you do call, we can skip the introductions and get straight to fixing it.
I'm not “good with technology.” Is that okay?
That's exactly who I'm here for. There are no silly questions, and I'll never make you feel rushed. We'll go one step at a time, and I'll repeat anything as often as you like.
Do you come to the house?
Almost everything can be fixed over the phone or a video call, and that's how I work. It means no waiting around for an appointment window, and you learn your way around your own device.
Will you need to take over my computer?
Usually not. I'll talk you through it so you stay in control the whole time. If screen sharing would genuinely help, I'll explain exactly what it does first, and you can end it whenever you want.
What does it cost?
Just ask in your email. I'll always tell you up front, before we start.
What if you can't fix it?
I'll tell you honestly and point you to the right next step, whether that's the manufacturer, your internet provider or a local repair shop. I'd rather do that than waste your time.
Can I reach out for my mom or dad?
Of course. Lots of first emails come from a son or daughter. We can all get on the first call together, and afterward I can work with your parent directly and keep you posted.
Let's get acquainted.
Send me a few lines about who needs help, the devices you use, and what's been giving you trouble. I'll write back to set up a time to talk.
dawson@toth.support