06/08/2026
As many of you know, we help a lot of small businesses with their IT needs, but we also work with many residential clients.
Today, we learned of the passing of one of our longtime clients. I won't share her name publicly, but I would like to share a few memories.
If there was an unusual computer problem, she always seemed to be the one to find it. I mean that in the kindest way possible, and I'll explain.
**"The computer turns on, but the screen is black."**
This call taught us that the brightness buttons on a Lenovo laptop were apparently close enough to another key that someone could accidentally turn the screen brightness all the way down. Most laptop manufacturers didn't even allow the screen to go completely dark, but somehow she figured it out.
She was the first person we encountered with that issue, but she certainly wasn't the last. Because of that experience, we were able to save many other people time, money, and frustration by checking that simple fix first. That service call only cost her $20, but the lesson was worth much more.
**Chrome extensions**
She was determined to play her games no matter what. Our job became figuring out how to keep Chrome reasonably safe while still letting her enjoy the things she wanted to do. Nothing tests your troubleshooting skills quite like opening a browser and finding dozens of miscellaneous extensions installed.
**"The internet is down."**
After enough of those calls, I practically memorized the Comcast router. Learning every possible light combination became second nature while I was getting started in this industry. More often than not, the internet was working just fine, but those calls taught me a lot about diagnostics and customer support on xfinity gear.
Looking back, I gained a tremendous amount of experience from working with her over the years. More importantly, she was always kind, lighthearted, and open. She shared stories about her family, her children, and her grandchildren, and every visit usually included a conversation that went beyond computers.
It's funny how some clients become part of your professional journey without either of you realizing it. Many of the things we know today, and many of the quick solutions we check first, came from experiences with clients like her.
My thoughts are with her family during this difficult time.
— Jason
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