Frequently Asked Questions
Computer repair and IT support questions answered honestly — that’s what this page is for.
I’d like to bring my computer in for service. Why doesn’t Berkeley Computer Services have a store?
We made the decision to operate without a storefront over thirty years ago and have never looked back. Without the overhead of a physical location we can focus entirely on what matters — getting to you quickly and solving your problem. Every service call is on-site at your home or office, or handled remotely. It’s a better experience for our clients and it’s how we’ve always preferred to work.
Where are you located?
We are based in Bayville, Ocean County, New Jersey. We do not have a walk-in location and do not offer carry-in or drop-off service. All work is performed at your home or office, or via secure remote connection. We cover clients across Ocean County NJ and, by special arrangement, have assisted clients as far as several states away.
What should I look for when choosing an IT support provider — and what should I be wary of?
Look for:
- Verifiable experience and a real track record — how long have they been in business and who have they worked with?
- Professional liability insurance — ask directly. An uninsured technician working on your business systems leaves you exposed if something goes wrong
- State certification for any cabling work — in New Jersey low-voltage installation is a licensed trade. Many technicians do it without the required certification
- Clear honest communication — do they explain things in plain English or hide behind jargon?
- Local presence and accountability — someone you can actually reach when something goes wrong
- References or a verifiable client history
Be wary of:
- Unusually low pricing — IT support is a skilled profession. Someone pricing dramatically below market is cutting corners somewhere, whether that’s insurance, training, or simply experience
- Pressure to sign long term contracts immediately before they’ve assessed your actual needs
- Vague answers about response times and availability
- Anyone who can’t explain what they’re going to do and why in terms you can understand
- Technicians who work without insurance — if something goes wrong with your data or systems the liability falls entirely on you
- Reviews that seem too numerous or too uniform for the size and location of the business — unfortunately review manipulation is common in this industry
- Anyone who tells you what you want to hear rather than what you need to know
Thirty years of experience has taught us that the right IT provider for a small business is someone you can trust completely — not necessarily the cheapest or the flashiest option available.
Do I need cyber liability insurance for my small business?
Almost certainly yes — and sooner than you might think. Cyber liability insurance covers your business in the event of a data breach, ransomware attack, or other cyber incident including the cost of notifying affected customers, legal liability, recovery costs, and business interruption. Standard business liability insurance typically does not cover cyber incidents.
The cost of cyber liability coverage for a small business is often surprisingly reasonable. The cost of a ransomware attack without it — including potential legal liability if customer data is compromised — is not. We always recommend discussing cyber liability coverage with your insurance provider as part of any broader conversation about cybersecurity. It belongs alongside proper network security and backup solutions as a fundamental protection for any business that relies on technology.
Do you repair smartphones, iPhones, tablets, iPads, and similar devices?
We do not offer hardware repair on smartphones, tablets, iPads, game consoles, or similar portable devices. We focus exclusively on computers and computer networks.
Do you repair cracked or broken laptop screens?
We do not repair cracked, broken, or failed laptop screens. If your screen is physically damaged or the backlight has failed we’re happy to advise you on your options.
My laptop doesn’t connect to WiFi in all parts of my home. Can you help?
Absolutely. Wireless networks can be extended, enhanced, and optimized and interference from neighboring networks can be identified and addressed. If your WiFi coverage isn’t reaching where you need it we can fix that.
How do I know if my small business needs dedicated IT support?
If technology problems are costing you time, money, or stress on a regular basis — you need IT support. Some signs it’s time to stop winging it: you’re relying on someone’s nephew who “knows computers,” you’ve lost data or experienced downtime that affected your business, you’re not sure whether your network is secure, or you simply don’t have anyone you trust to call when something goes wrong. A small business doesn’t need a full time IT department — but it does need a reliable expert it can call. That’s exactly what we provide.
What’s the difference between break-fix IT support and ongoing IT consulting?
Break-fix is exactly what it sounds like — something breaks, you call someone, they fix it, you pay them, they leave. It’s reactive, unpredictable in cost, and offers no continuity. The person who fixes your problem today may know nothing about your systems tomorrow.
Ongoing IT consulting is a relationship. Your IT advisor knows your systems, your history, and your business. They proactively identify problems before they become emergencies, advise you on technology decisions before you make expensive mistakes, and are genuinely invested in keeping your business running smoothly. For most small businesses the ongoing relationship delivers far better outcomes at lower total cost than break-fix ever does.
How much should a small business budget for IT support?
Honestly this varies enormously depending on the size of your operation, the complexity of your systems, and what you actually need. What we can tell you is that the right question isn’t “how little can I spend on IT?” — it’s “what is IT downtime, a security breach, or data loss actually worth to my business?”
A ransomware attack that takes your business offline for three days costs far more than years of proper IT support. A data loss event that destroys client records or financial information can be catastrophic. Budget for IT support the way you budget for insurance — not because you expect the worst but because the cost of not being protected is far higher than the cost of being prepared. We’re happy to discuss what makes sense for your specific situation.
How do I know if my business has been hacked?
Sometimes you know immediately — ransomware announces itself. More often the signs are subtle: computers running unusually slowly, files that have moved or disappeared, unfamiliar programs running in the background, unusual network activity, colleagues receiving emails that appear to come from you but that you didn’t send, or unexpected password reset requests for business accounts.
If anything feels off — trust your instincts and call us. The earlier a breach or intrusion is identified the better the outcome. Many of the most damaging incidents involve attackers who have been present in a network for weeks or months before anyone noticed.
Should my small business have a firewall?
Yes — and if you’re currently relying on the router provided by your ISP you almost certainly don’t have one that’s adequate for business use.
Consumer routers and ISP-provided gateways offer basic network address translation that is sometimes loosely described as firewall functionality. It is not the same as a business grade firewall and does not provide the protection a business network requires.
A proper business firewall provides deep packet inspection, intrusion detection and prevention, application awareness, VPN capability, content filtering, and centralized logging and alerting. It is the foundation of a properly secured business network — not an optional extra.
We install and configure business grade firewall appliances for small businesses across Ocean County. If your business is still running on ISP-provided equipment that conversation is worth having sooner rather than later.
What is PCI DSS and does it apply to my business?
PCI DSS — Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard — is a set of security requirements that applies to any business that accepts, processes, stores, or transmits credit or debit card information. If your business takes card payments in any form — in person, online, or over the phone — PCI DSS applies to you regardless of your size.
Non-compliance can result in fines from your card processor, increased transaction fees, and in the event of a breach, significant financial liability. Many small business owners are unaware of their obligations until they change banks or card processors and are asked to complete a compliance assessment.
What does PCI DSS compliance actually require for a small business?
The specific requirements depend on how your business processes card payments and your transaction volume, but common requirements for small businesses include:
- A properly configured and maintained firewall
- Network segmentation that isolates card processing systems from the rest of your network
- Secure remote access — Microsoft RDP directly exposed to the internet is specifically flagged as a risk
- Regular software updates and security patches
- Strong password policies
- Restricted access to cardholder data on a need-to-know basis
- Regular security assessments
The good news is that many of these requirements overlap with good general security practice. A properly configured business network with a real firewall and proper segmentation addresses a significant portion of PCI requirements as a byproduct of simply being set up correctly.
How can Berkeley Computer Services help with PCI DSS compliance?
We can assess your current network configuration against PCI DSS requirements, implement the technical controls required — firewall configuration, network segmentation, secure remote access solutions — and advise on the non-technical requirements you need to address with your card processor or a qualified security assessor.
We’re not a PCI Qualified Security Assessor and won’t pretend to be — formal PCI certification for larger operations requires a QSA. But for most small businesses the technical infrastructure requirements are well within our expertise and we can ensure your network is configured in a way that supports rather than undermines your compliance efforts.
If you’ve recently changed banks or card processors and been asked about PCI compliance — give us a call. It’s a more manageable conversation than it might appear.
My printer isn’t working. Can you help?
We’re experts at resolving communication issues between computers and printers — driver problems, network connectivity, configuration issues and so on. We do not however perform physical repairs on printers involving ink cartridges, paper feed problems, or print quality issues. Modern home and small office printers are unfortunately largely non-repairable and often cheaper to replace than fix.
I accidentally deleted some important files. Can you recover them?
Yes — and this is something we’re very good at. Over the years we’ve successfully recovered everything from irreplaceable family photos to vital business records and tax returns.
One important piece of advice: don’t attempt recovery yourself using free software found online, and don’t install anything on the computer until we’ve had a chance to look at it. The less the computer is used after the loss the better the chances of a successful recovery. Call us first.
I’m worried about ransomware and cybercrime. Can you help protect my computer or business?
Yes. In recent years we’ve helped many small businesses, home offices, and individuals protect themselves against ransomware, hackers, and cybercriminals. The threat is real and growing but there are practical, affordable steps that significantly reduce your risk. Call us to discuss what’s appropriate for your situation.
I have an old computer that no longer turns on but may have important files on it. Can you help?
In most cases yes. We can often recover files from computers that won’t boot and transfer them to another computer or storage device — family photos, documents, whatever matters to you.
One thing worth knowing: licensed software cannot be transferred without the original media or license key. We can also help you securely wipe old computers before disposal so your personal information doesn’t end up in the wrong hands.
I think my computer has been hacked or infected with a virus. Can you help?
Absolutely. We’re experienced at detecting and removing unauthorized access programs, spyware, malware, adware, keyloggers, and virus infections of all kinds — from annoying bloatware all the way through to sophisticated remote access tools. We’ll clean up the computer and recommend practical measures to protect you going forward.
Why is my business WiFi slow even though I pay for fast internet?
This is one of the most common and most misunderstood technology problems we see. Internet speed and WiFi performance are two completely separate things. Your internet connection brings bandwidth into the building — but your internal network determines how many devices can use it simultaneously and how efficiently that bandwidth is distributed.
Consumer grade WiFi equipment — including the router your ISP provided — is designed for households not businesses. It has limited capacity for simultaneous connections and no business class management features. Adding more bandwidth through your ISP does nothing if the internal network can’t handle it — which is exactly the situation many businesses find themselves in after an expensive and entirely ineffective ISP upgrade.
The solution is almost always internal network infrastructure — proper business grade access points, a managed network controller, and correctly configured WiFi — not a larger internet package.
What’s the difference between consumer and business grade WiFi equipment?
Consumer grade equipment — the routers and access points available at Best Buy or provided by your ISP — is designed for a household of a few users with a handful of devices. It’s inexpensive, easy to set up, and completely inadequate for a business environment.
Business grade equipment is designed to handle dozens or hundreds of simultaneous connections reliably, provides centralized management and monitoring, supports proper network segmentation, delivers consistent performance under load, and is built to run continuously without the reboots that consumer equipment often needs.
The price difference is real but so is the performance difference. A business running on consumer equipment is building on an unstable foundation — and will eventually experience the consequences.
How many WiFi access points does my business need?
It depends on the size and layout of your space, the building materials involved, the number of simultaneous users, and what those users are doing. A small office with 5 employees has very different requirements from a community clubhouse with 50+ simultaneous users.
The right answer comes from a proper site survey and heat mapping exercise — not a guess. We use professional WiFi planning software to model coverage before installation, ensuring that every area gets reliable coverage without over-saturating the space with unnecessary access points. Done properly a well-designed WiFi network is invisible — it just works, everywhere, for everyone.
Should my business have a separate guest WiFi network?
Yes — absolutely and without exception. A separate guest network keeps visitors, customers, and contractors on a completely isolated network that has no access to your business systems, files, or internal devices. Someone connecting to your guest WiFi cannot see your file server, your printers, your point of sale system, or anything else on your internal network.
Running guests on your main business network is a security risk that is trivially easy to eliminate with proper network configuration. If your current setup doesn’t have a separate guest network that’s something worth fixing sooner rather than later.
Is AI actually useful for small businesses or is it just hype?
Both — depending entirely on what you’re trying to do with it. AI tools are genuinely useful for specific practical tasks: drafting and editing documents, summarizing long reports, organizing files, automating repetitive workflows, transcribing meetings, and handling routine communications. For those tasks the time savings are real and immediate.
The hype comes from overclaiming – AI as a replacement for human judgment, expertise, or relationships. For those things it falls well short of the promises. The small businesses getting genuine value from AI right now are the ones using it for specific well-defined tasks rather than expecting it to transform their entire operation overnight.
We help small businesses identify where AI can genuinely save time and improve productivity – and where it’s not worth the effort. See our AI for Small Business page for more detail.
Is it safe to use AI tools with confidential business information?
It depends entirely on which tools you’re using and how. Free consumer versions of AI tools — including the free tiers of well-known platforms — may use your inputs to train their models and should not be used with confidential client information, financial data, or anything proprietary.
Business tier subscriptions of the same tools typically offer stronger privacy protections and data handling commitments. Self-hosted AI solutions keep your data entirely on your own infrastructure. Understanding the privacy implications of any AI tool before using it with sensitive information is essential — and something we can help you evaluate for your specific situation.
What’s the easiest AI tool for a small business to start with?
Microsoft Copilot integrated into Microsoft 365 is probably the lowest friction entry point for most small businesses — it works inside the tools you’re already using (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and doesn’t require learning a new platform. If you’re already paying for Microsoft 365 it may already be available to you.
For businesses not using Microsoft 365, Claude and ChatGPT both offer accessible web interfaces that require no technical setup. Starting with a simple task — drafting a professional email, summarizing a document, or answering a business question — is the best way to develop a feel for what these tools can and can’t do before committing to any particular platform.