FRIENDLY COMPUTER HELP • BY APPOINTMENT
Computer Problems?
I Can Help.
I’m Paul, and I provide patient, straightforward computer help. You don’t need to know the technical terms — just tell me what’s going on and I’ll help figure out the next step.
Windows • Linux • hardware • networking • remote help
Please note: I provide tech support around college and my regular job, so immediate or same-day service may not always be available.
Plain English first.
Behind the scenes, I can go as deep as crash dumps, kernel logs, hardware stress testing and network analysis when the problem calls for it.
“Technology doesn’t have to be confusing. I’m here to help.”— Paul
SERVICES
Help for everyday problems — and the weird ones.
I handle normal computer support without burying you in jargon, while still offering deeper diagnostics for complex problems.
⚠
System Crash & OS Diagnostics
Windows BSODs, random reboots, boot failures, driver conflicts and corrupt system files.
- WinDbg crash-dump analysis
- Kernel-Power, WHEA & system logs
- Safe-mode recovery, SFC/DISM
- Memory & subsystem testing
▣
OS Setup & Workstations
Clean operating-system installs, recovery, optimization and migration.
- Windows & Linux clean installs
- Dual-boot / EFI / GRUB recovery
- User data migration & backup
- Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora & Arch triage
⚙
Hardware & Upgrades
Systematic hardware health checks and compatibility planning.
- CPU, GPU, RAM & storage checks
- PSU sizing & component compatibility
- BIOS/UEFI & memory stability
- Thermals, fans & preventive maintenance
▤
Networking & Infrastructure
Home/office networking plus Linux server and remote-access help.
- Router, Wi‑Fi & DNS troubleshooting
- Linux VPS/server provisioning
- SSH, UFW & systemd services
- VPNs, backups & local hosting
SERVICES & RATES
Simple, straightforward pricing.
I’ll discuss the problem and scope with you before paid work begins.
Remote Computer Help
$40up to the first hour
One-hour minimum. If more time is needed, additional time is $20 per 30 minutes. I’ll tell you before continuing into additional paid time.In-Home Computer Help
$50up to the first hour
One-hour minimum. If more time is needed, additional time is $25 per 30 minutes. I’ll tell you before continuing into additional paid time.No surprise charges. Even if the problem is solved sooner, the one-hour minimum applies. If the job will go beyond the first hour, I’ll let you know before I continue.
✓ What I Handle
- Windows & Linux troubleshooting, crash analysis, boot repair & driver triage
- Hardware diagnostics, component health audits & upgrade compatibility
- Local networking, Wi‑Fi optimization, router configuration & DNS triage
- Linux server/VPS administration, systemd services & security hardening
- Data backup strategies, user-data migration & workstation tuning
× Strictly Out of Scope
- Physical motherboard soldering, micro-soldering or board-level SMD rework
- Pirated/cracked software, antivirus bypassing or malware generation
- Enterprise Active Directory / Exchange / multi-forest migrations
- Recovery of physically damaged platters or unreadable NAND flash chips
FOR ADVANCED USERS
Advanced diagnostics are still here.
If you know what these mean, great. If you don’t, you don’t need to — I’ll tell you what information I need.
Windows Crash Diagnostic Cheatsheet
1. Event Viewer
Press Win + R, type eventvwr.msc, then check Windows Logs → System for Critical/Error entries such as Event ID 41 (Kernel-Power).
2. BSOD minidumps
Windows commonly stores crash dumps in C:\Windows\Minidump\. The latest .dmp files can be prepared for WinDbg analysis.
3. DirectX / driver overview
dxdiag /t %userprofile%\Desktop\dxdiag.txtLinux Kernel & Service Triage
Priority error logs
journalctl -p 3 -xbKernel warnings
dmesg -T --level=err,warnSystem overview
inxi -FxzThermals & Stability Verification
HWiNFO64: sensor monitoring for CPU/GPU temperatures and throttling.
GPU hotspot delta: an unusually large core-to-hotspot difference under sustained load can point to a cooling or mounting issue.
Memory: OCCT Memory Test or MemTest86 can help verify RAM stability during random reboots or suspected memory corruption.
Diagnostic & Analysis Toolset
WinDbg
Kernel minidumps, BugChecks & symbols
Sysinternals Suite
Process Explorer, Autoruns, Process Monitor & TCPView
Wireshark / tcpdump
Packet inspection, packet loss & DNS timing
systemd journal / dmesg
Linux boot, kernel & hardware fault tracing
HWiNFO64 / MangoHud / OCCT
Sensor, thermal and stability analysis
My Diagnostic Testbed
I maintain a Windows/Linux diagnostic workstation for reproducing and investigating problems, including an AMD Ryzen 7 5700X platform, MSI B450 Tomahawk Max motherboard, an Arch-based Linux environment and Windows 11 Pro on dedicated storage.
The point isn’t the parts list — it’s that I have a real environment for Windows, Linux, driver, kernel, hardware and networking analysis.
ABOUT
I’m Paul.
I started Ponds Systems because I like solving computer problems and helping people make sense of technology. I can work with everyday users who just want their computer working again, and I’m also comfortable digging into Windows and Linux problems that need deeper analysis.
My approach is simple: tell me what’s happening in your own words. I’ll ask the technical questions when I need them.
AVAILABILITY
Check when I’m available.
I provide tech support around college and my regular job, so immediate or same-day service may not always be available. The calendar below shows my current availability.
Availability is updated through my Ponds Systems calendar. For the quickest response, text or leave a message at (843) 800-7443.
GET HELP
Tell me what’s going on.
You don’t need to diagnose it first. Give me your name, the best way to reach you, and describe what the computer is doing.