Good Wit Computers

Got a nice, weird one last night.

Remoted to a laptop with a sound issue - there was no sound coming out of the wired 3.5 mm headphones. The sound output device was weird (not one that either the user or I recognized), the internal speakers had been physically disconnected for , and the previously functional headphones and a test set of earbuds weren't working.

Can we restart? No, because the computer sometimes takes as many as 5 false starts to restart. Can we test other audio output devices? None are installed.

What ended up working? A wired USB headset, which the user swears has never worked before on this device.

My conclusion? Some computers - and some users - are just haunted. You do the best you can to figure out something that works.

Best of luck, Weird Wired Sound Problem Person.

Do you have a weird problem, local to Philly or remote nationwide, that you need a hand with? Drop us a message below!

PS - I have no room to talk - I have two wired headsets, two wired microphones, and a we**am all set up on my desk right now.

Is it a SCAM?

1. If someone's saying you owe them money, it's probably a scam
2. If someone's saying *they* owe *you* money, or some kind of prize, it's probably a scam
3. If a bank or business is calling you out of the blue, it's probably a scam

In all cases, the best thing to do is to *call the business back*. Call banks or businesses directly, using phone numbers that you already have, or that you get from their website.

This message brought to you by the far too many scams that I see passing my desk.

Send a message to learn more

WORST TECHNOLOGY OF THE WEEK

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This is probably a bad idea.

I saw this product for sale at a garage sale in North Philly, and it's obvious that my wife would love this - what a great way to hide cords and keep your devices very tidy!

The problem is that, _depending on how your WiFi is physically placed_ this could absolutely crush your signal.

A modern flat-screen TV is basically a big sheet of silicon, with a bunch of wires and other supporting electronics behind it. That sheet can block incoming WiFi signals, so if the line of sight between your WiFi router and the streaming box runs through the TV itself, you can slow your Netflix to a crawl. Add the mounting plate (also a big hunk of metal), and you may spend more time buffering than a bartender with hay fever.

There are a couple of ways around this
- You can position your WiFi router BELOW and BEHIND the TV (not just behind, because then you're making trouble for all your other devices.
- You can skip the mounting plate entirely, and just put your streaming box on your entertainment center
- You can use a wired connection

And, of course, you can call your friendly, local Digital Handyman to get your home theater system purring like a kitten. Give us a call or text or drop an email!

Good Wit Computers will be attending Art in the Park on May 30! Swing by our table and tell us your least favorite thing about your cell phone - we'll try to fix it for you!

Hey, look! It's me!

I'll be at Jenkintown Library on Friday at 2 p.m., offering Tech Help to anyone who needs a little bit of a hand!

I hope to see you there!

📅 This Week at Jenkintown Library! 🎉
We’ve got something for everyone—check out our weekly lineup and join the fun. Bring your creativity, curiosity, and community spirit—see you there! 💫

🌈 TUESDAY: Leprechaun Traps from 2pm to 3:30pm and 4:30pm to 6pm
🧠 WEDNESDAY: 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s with the Alzheimer’s Association at 2pm
🎸 THURSDAY: Rockin’ with Rene at 10:30am
📚 THURSDAY: Homework Helpers at 3:30pm
💻 FRIDAY: Technology Help with a Digital Handyman at 2pm
📖 SATURDAY: Storytime with Maddie at 11am

Remember! Our bookstore is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays! Check out our hours below
⭐️ Tuesday: 4pm to 6pm
⭐️ Thursday: 10am to 12pm
⭐️ Saturday: 11am to 2pm

I'm delighted to be offering my services at Jenkintown Library on March 6th, at 2 p.m. Swing by for help with mobile phones, laptops, websites, logins, assistive devices, and more!

Send a message to learn more