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These services are usually run by local computer dealers, who can not only help get your existing system running smoothly but also sell you new kit at competitive prices. Genie Computing operates several retail outlets around South Wales, selling complete Windows Vista systems from just £379 and promising to beat any price on PC hardware. Users can bring their PCs in for repair or book a callout for onsite assistance from just £15.

Best of both?

A recent Which? report found that some of the best known names in domestic PC support had serious failings, and local independents often provided the best customer satisfaction. But finding a good local service can be tricky. Yellow Pages ads tell you nothing about quality, and while word of mouth is always the best recommendation, you may not know anyone who has a favourite techie.

There've been a few attempts to square the circle by setting up a network of pre-approved local services. Last autumn saw the launch of fixITlocal, founded by a company with 30 years' experience. At www.fixitlocal.co.uk you can read up on the services and rates on offer: the first hour onsite costs £49.99 including VAT, with subsequent time charged by the half hour. You can enter your postcode to find a participating company near you, or call a centralised local rate number and be put through automatically to someone in your area.

We spoke to fixITlocal boss John Carter, who

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was keen to emphasise that, unlike with the big national support brands, whoever responds to your call will be from an established local business. 'They'll start by talking over your issue on the phone, then arrange a convenient onsite visit. The customer gets a specific appointment, maybe the same day or the next day, not a six-hour time window when they have to stay in waiting.' The fixed hourly fee is intended to be 'similar to a domestic appliance repair', so customers know how much they'll be paying. 'A lot of things will get fixed in the first hour,' says John, but the option of extra work by the half hour often appeals to customers. 'They might go on to ask for help connecting a TV to their PC, setting up a network or installing other hardware.' In most cases you can opt to take your PC into a shop for attention.

Both PCs and Macs are covered, and all fixIT local members are accredited by the Professional Computer Association (PCA) and/or the Mac Technology Association (MTA), and bound by their codes of practice, with arbitration available in the event of any dispute. 'We vet our resellers to make sure they're proper support businesses, not just dabbling,' says John Carter. 'They tend to be well qualified - they can repair hardware, rebuild PCs, and set up networks even at a business level.' In fact, while domestic customers are welcome, fixITlocal sees small businesses as its core market, which is a refreshing change from national services that threaten to charge extra or cancel your membership if they suspect you're a business user.

Get the benefit

Tech support isn't just for when things go wrong. It can also help you get the most from your system. One of the most popular home callouts is to set up a home wireless network, making it easy to share a broadband connection and perhaps stream music and video from room to room. If you have the time to figure it all out (with a little help from your favourite computer magazine), that's fine - but it could make more sense to get it sorted on the hurry-up by someone who does it every day.