FAQ

A: There are a few common reasons your computer might be running slow:

• Too many programs running at once – Your computer only has so much "brainpower." If you have lots of windows, apps, or tabs open, it can slow everything down.
• Old or full hard drive – If your computer is almost out of storage space, it doesn’t have room to work efficiently.
• Not enough memory (RAM) – This is like your computer’s short-term memory. If it’s low, the system can lag, especially with newer websites or apps.
• Viruses or malware – Nasty programs running in the background can eat up resources and cause major slowdowns.
• Outdated software – If your system or apps aren’t up to date, they may not run well.
• Too many startup programs – Some programs launch every time you turn on your computer, even if you’re not using them.

What you can do:

• Try restarting your computer if you haven’t in a while.
• Close tabs or apps you aren’t using.
• Clear out old files you don’t need.
• Run a virus scan (we can help with that).
• Let us check your system and do a full health check—we’ll find the problem and fix it.

Still stuck?
Slow computers are one of the most common things we fix. We can come to you or connect remotely to diagnose and speed things up.

A: First—don’t panic. Just clicking a link doesn’t always mean your computer or phone is infected. But it’s important to act quickly to stay safe.

Here’s what you should do:

1. Close the tab or window – If the link opened a suspicious page, just exit out of it right away.
2. Turn off your computer – If you're not able to, force quit and unplug your devices.
3. Don’t enter any personal info – If the site asked you to log in, give your credit card, or fill out anything—don’t do it.
4. Run a virus scan – If you have antivirus software, run a full scan. If you don’t, we can help install and check it.
5. Change your passwords – If you entered any login info (like for email or bank accounts), go change those passwords immediately—starting with the most important accounts.
6. Watch for weird activity – Keep an eye on your email, bank, or other accounts for anything unusual.

Still unsure?
If you're not sure what the link did or you’re just worried, reach out. We can safely check your system and make sure everything’s secure.

Better safe than sorry—and no question is a silly question. We're here to help.

A: Yes—we can definitely help! Unwanted emails (also called "spam" or junk mail) are super common, and we have a few ways to clean them up:

What you can do:

1. Mark them as spam – In most email apps (like Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo), there’s a button to mark messages as spam. That tells your email to block similar ones in the future.
2. Unsubscribe – If the email has an “unsubscribe” link at the bottom (and it looks legit), click it to stop getting future messages.
3. Set up filters – We can help you create custom filters to send certain emails straight to trash, archive, or a separate folder so they don’t clog your inbox.
4. Use a cleaner inbox setup – Services like Gmail have tabs (like Primary, Promotions, and Social) to sort messages automatically. We can show you how to take advantage of that.

What we can do:

If you're overwhelmed, we’ll step in and:

• Set up spam filters and rules for you
• Show you how to unsubscribe safely
• Help you organize your inbox so important stuff stands out
• Recommend tools that keep your email cleaner going forward

You don’t have to live in email chaos—we’ve helped lots of clients clean up their inbox, and we can do the same for you.

A: Absolutely—we’d love to help! AI tools like ChatGPT might sound high-tech, but using them can be as easy as chatting with a friend (a very smart, very patient friend).

What we can do for you:

• Help you set it up – We’ll get you started with an account, show you where to go (on your computer or phone), and help install any apps you might need.
• Give you a tour – We’ll walk you through how it works, what kinds of things it can help with (from writing emails to planning trips), and how to ask questions in a way that gets great results.
• Make it work for you – Whether you want help with recipes, tech questions, writing, budgeting, or just learning new things, we’ll tailor it to what you care about.
• Keep it safe and private – We’ll show you how to use AI wisely, avoid scams, and keep your personal info protected.

You don’t need to be “techy.” We’ll explain things in plain language and move at your pace. It’s like learning to ride a bike—but with training wheels and no chance of falling over.

A: Yep—we hear this one all the time. Passwords are a pain. But unfortunately, they’re one of the biggest things keeping your accounts safe from hackers.

Why it's important to change them:

• If one of your passwords gets leaked (which happens more than you think), someone could break into your email, bank, or other accounts.
• Reusing the same password everywhere makes it easy for scammers to get into multiple accounts if they crack just one.

Good news: There’s an easier way!

You don’t have to remember every password. Here’s what we recommend:

1. Use a password manager – It’s like a safe that remembers your passwords for you. You only need to remember one strong master password.
   • We recommend tools like 1Password, Bitwarden, or NordPass.

1. Let your browser help – Chrome, Safari, and Firefox can also save passwords securely, and even suggest strong ones.
2. Don’t use obvious passwords – Avoid using things like “123456,” your pet’s name, or your birthday. Those are easy to guess.

We can help set this all up for you.
We'll:

• Install a password manager for you
• Transfer your current passwords into it
• Show you how to use it on your computer and phone

No more writing passwords on sticky notes or trying to remember which one had the exclamation point at the end.

A: Oh yes—it’s very common. You are not alone in the battle against printer chaos.

Printers are notorious for acting up with problems like:

• Paper jams for no obvious reason
• Saying they’re “offline” even when they’re not
• Refusing to print in black unless the color ink is full
• Printing weird symbols or nothing at all
• Not connecting to Wi-Fi or your device

The good news? We fix printer problems all the time.
Here’s how we can help:

• Connect your printer properly to your computer or Wi-Fi
• Fix common errors and clear up confusing messages
• Make sure your computer "talks" to the printer the way it’s supposed to
• Set it up so it “just works” next time you need it

We’ll also give you tips to avoid future headaches, like where to click when it says “offline,” or how to check ink levels the easy way.

Bottom line: Yes, printers are a pain. But we can tame yours.

A: That’s exactly what we’re here for.

Most of our clients don’t just have one big tech problem—they have a bunch of little ones that build up over time. Things like:

• Emails not syncing across devices
• Photos disappearing or not backing up
• Bluetooth speakers that won’t connect
• Apps crashing or acting funny
• Random pop-ups you don’t trust
• Settings that just...don’t seem right

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. We offer personal tech support sessions where we:

• Go through each of your concerns one by one
• Explain what’s happening in plain English
• Fix what we can on the spot
• Give you tips to keep things running smoothly

Whether it’s your phone, laptop, tablet, printer, or even your smart TV—if it plugs in or connects to Wi-Fi, we’ll help with it.

Think of us as your personal tech team. No judgment, no rush—we’ll sort it out.

Sometimes it's hard to remember all off the issues unless you're right in the middle of the struggle. Print or download our checklist (below) to help you identify your challenges. This will help maximize the time we have with you!

A: Yes, we absolutely can—and that’s one of the things that sets us apart.

We’re a family-owned business, and we understand how valuable your time is. Instead of asking you to unplug everything and drive your computer to some repair shop—then wait days or even weeks—we come to you. Whether it’s your home or small office, we handle the issue right where the problem is happening.

We provide in-person tech support throughout Sacramento, Santa Cruz, and other parts of the Bay Area, so you don’t have to worry about hauling your devices around or dealing with big-box store runarounds.

We’re friendly, local, and focused on making tech support convenient and stress-free—just how it should be.

And if you’re outside that region—no problem. We also offer remote support, where we can securely access your computer and help you fix most issues without stepping foot in your home. All you need is an internet connection and a few clicks.

Whether it’s in person or remote, we’re here to make tech support simple, convenient, and human.

A: Absolutely—that’s a common task people hire us for.

Whether you just bought a brand-new computer or you're trying to revive an old one, we can handle the full setup for you. That includes:

• Unboxing and physically setting it up
• Connecting it to Wi-Fi, printers, and other devices
• Installing essential software (like email, antivirus, browsers, etc.)
• Transferring your files from your old computer
• Making sure everything is running smoothly and securely
• Giving you a walkthrough so you feel comfortable using it

We do in-home setup throughout Sacramento, Santa Cruz, and the Bay Area, and we also offer remote setup and configuration if you're outside our local service area.

No confusing instructions. No tech headaches. Just a computer that works the way it should—right from day one.

A: You can—but that's not usually the best option. Here's our take: 

Big-box services like Geek Squad can help with certain issues, but many of our clients come to us after feeling frustrated by long wait times, impersonal service, or the hassle of packing up and dropping off their device. Especially when they are required to leave their devices at the store for several days.

At Hultzen Tech, we take a different approach:

• We come to you—no unplugging, no trips to the mall
• We offer one-on-one help that’s personalized to your exact needs
• You work with the same people each time—our family-run team, not a different tech every visit
• We don’t upsell—we just fix the issue and explain things clearly. (Typically at Geek Squad you are encouraged to sign up for a membership billed monthly.)

1. Long wait times for appointments and repairs
   – Some customers report having to wait days or even weeks for service, especially during busy seasons.
2. High prices for basic services
   – Simple fixes (like virus removal, email setup, or tune-ups) can cost $100+ even though they’re relatively quick tasks.
3. Impersonal or rushed service
   – Because it's a large, high-volume operation, you’re often working with whoever is on shift—not someone familiar with your history or setup.
4. Aggressive upselling
   – Many customers feel pressured to buy unnecessary protection plans, software, or hardware upgrades.
5. Lack of in-home service or poor communication
   – While in-home service is available, it can be limited or expensive—and customers often complain about missed appointments or vague scheduling windows.
6. Devices kept for long periods
   – For hardware repairs or diagnostics, people are often told to leave their computer for several days (or longer), with minimal updates.

At Hultzen Tech, we do the opposite: fast, transparent, one-on-one help from a family-run team that comes to you and gets it done right.

A: We get it—when your tech goes down, you don’t want to wait around.

At Hultzen Tech, we offer same-day support whenever possible, especially for urgent issues like a frozen computer, internet problems, or suspicious pop-ups. Depending on your location and the nature of the issue, we can either:

• Come to your home (if you're in the Sacramento, Santa Cruz, or Bay Area), or
• Connect remotely and start helping you within minutes

Because we’re a family-run business, we can move faster and more flexibly than the big guys. No call centers, no ticket numbers—just real help, right when you need it.

Call or message us now, and we’ll let you know if we can jump in today. Odds are, we can.