Tech Help in Kirksville, Missouri

Leo Blanchette

Leo Blanchette

Practical tech help in Kirksville
I fix computers, connectivity, Linux systems, and small electronics.
Clear rates, fast service, and a local focus near the Kirksville courthouse square.

Switchboard Tech Services is a small mobile service in downtown Kirksville that fixes what others replace.

I handle everyday computer issues, restore old computers, and build or maintain simple websites for locals and small businesses.

No contracts, no gimmicks – just direct repair and practical help within a couple miles of the courthouse.
If it plugs in, powers on, or connects to the internet, there’s a good chance I can make it work again.

🧰 See Services & Prices →

Transparent, local, and explained in basic English.

Contact Us

📍 Kirksville, MO
🏤 PO Box 594, Kirksville, MO 63501
📞 +1.660.956.1108 (text first)
✉️ theswitchboard@protonmail.com
🌐 https://switchboardtechservices.com
📘 Facebook Page
🏛️ Meetings: Adair County Courthouse, Kirksville (neutral hand-off point)
🛠️ Repairs done at home workshop, drop-off by arrangement

From the Workbench

AltGrid and Scrollmapper, Projects by Leo Blanchette

See my major technical projects →

These are major projects I’ve created or am working on. Technical blog posts by Leo Blanchette

Read Switchboard’s latest posts →

Guides, local stories, and practical how-tos from the Switchboard workshop.

Why is my computer fan so loud all the time?

#kirksville  #fan noise  #cooling  #dust  Why is my computer fan so loud all the time?

Could be:

  • Dust buildup forcing high RPM to keep temps in check.
  • Thermal paste aging; temperatures spike quickly.
  • Background load from updaters, indexing, or malware.
  • Aggressive fan curve in BIOS/utility; needs tuning.
  • Bearing wear on older fans.

Need help? Check here: /services/repairs/

What it might be (likely causes)

  • Dust & airflow restriction
    Lint mats over heatsink fins make the fan work overtime. Even a thin layer can raise temps enough to push fans to max. If the system also feels warm, start here. Aging‑hardware patterns: /posts/top-problems-10-year-old-pcs/

[Read more →]

Why is my computer so slow even after restarting?

#kirksville  #slow computer  #ssd  #ram  Why is my computer so slow even after restarting?

Some possibilities:

  • Traditional HDD bottleneck; an SSD upgrade is the usual fix.
  • Too little RAM for current workloads causing constant paging.
  • Corrupted system files or services thrashing.
  • Background sync (cloud drives) or antivirus scans.
  • Thermal throttling reducing CPU clocks.

Need help? Check here: /services/computer-maintenance/

What it might be (likely causes)

[Read more →]

Why is my internet dropping out so often?

#kirksville  #wifi  #router  #internet dropping  Why is my internet dropping out so often?

A few likely culprits:

  • Router placement and interference (microwaves, fish tanks, brick walls).
  • Overcrowded 2.4 GHz channel; a quick channel scan can help.
  • ISP modem signal issues or aging coax/connectors.
  • Firmware bugs on the router; reboot helps, firmware update helps more.
  • Device power saving turning off Wi-Fi adapters intermittently.

Need help? Check here: /services/house-calls/

What it might be (likely causes)

  • Placement & obstacles
    Wi-Fi hates water and masonry. Aquariums, brick fireplaces, and metal racks can scatter or absorb signal. See practical placement notes and real-world examples here: /posts/kirksville-wifi-dead-zones/

[Read more →]

Why is my internet fast on my phone but slow on my PC?

#kirksville  #slow pc internet  #adapter  #drivers  Why is my internet fast on my phone but slow on my PC?

Worth checking:

  • PC on 2.4 GHz while phone uses 5 GHz; try a 5 GHz SSID.
  • Outdated NIC drivers or power-saving modes throttling throughput.
  • Ethernet cable damage or 100 Mbps negotiation instead of 1 Gbps.
  • VPNs, filters, or security suites intercepting traffic.
  • Browser extensions or background sync saturating bandwidth.

Need help? Check here: /services/house-calls/

What it might be (likely causes)

[Read more →]

Why is my laptop battery not charging?

#kirksville  #battery  #charging  #dc jack  Why is my laptop battery not charging?

A few angles:

  • Charger wattage too low or failing; test with a known-good.
  • DC jack damage or loose internal connection.
  • Battery wear level high; check with OEM utility.
  • Firmware/EC issues; BIOS update sometimes helps.
  • USB-C PD negotiation quirks with third-party cables.

Need help? Check here: /services/repairs/

What it might be (likely causes)

  • Underpowered or failing charger
    Many laptops negotiate specific wattage. If the adapter can’t supply enough (e.g., using a 45 W brick for a 90 W laptop), you’ll see “Plugged in, not charging” or the battery will drain while in use.

[Read more →]

Why won’t my computer recognize my USB drive?

#kirksville  #usb not recognized  #file system  #ports  Why won’t my computer recognize my USB drive?

Likely causes:

  • Port power issues; try a rear I/O port or a powered hub.
  • Drive letter collision; assign a new letter in Disk Management.
  • File system corruption; check with “chkdsk” or test on another PC.
  • Missing chipset/USB drivers after a reinstall.
  • ExFAT/NTFS compatibility issues on older systems.

Need help? Check here: /services/computer-maintenance/

What it might be (likely causes)

  • Power and port quirks
    Front‑panel ports and unpowered hubs can brown‑out larger flash drives and portable HDDs. Rear motherboard ports usually deliver steadier power. For backup safety before experimenting: /posts/simple-data-backups-without-cloud/

[Read more →]

Why won’t my computer turn on at all?

#kirksville  #no power  #psu  #motherboard  Why won’t my computer turn on at all?

Start simple:

  • Power strip or outlet fault; try a different known-good outlet.
  • For desktops, check PSU switch, 24-pin and CPU 8-pin connections.
  • For laptops, test with battery removed (if possible) and adapter only.
  • Look for liquid damage or burnt smells near DC jack/VRMs.
  • Motherboard short from standoff or debris.

Need help? Check here: /services/repairs/

What it might be (likely causes)

  • No AC or a tripped power path
    Dead outlet, tripped power strip, or a PSU rocker switch in the O position. On laptops, a failed charger or loose DC jack can present as “totally dead.”

[Read more →]

Why won’t my monitor turn on but the computer runs?

#kirksville  #display  #gpu  #monitor  Why won’t my monitor turn on but the computer runs?

A few possibilities:

  • Wrong input selected on the monitor (HDMI1 vs HDMI2, DP, etc.).
  • Cable or adapter failure (cheap DP to HDMI can be flaky).
  • GPU not fully seated or needs auxiliary PCIe power.
  • iGPU vs dGPU output confusion; plug into the active one.
  • Dead backlight on laptops though the system boots.

Need help? Check here: /services/repairs/

What it might be (likely causes)

  • Monitor input or power state
    Many monitors default to the last input and won’t auto‑switch. If the on‑screen display (OSD) works, the panel has power—cycle inputs manually and verify brightness isn’t at zero. Background: HDMI, DisplayPort

[Read more →]

Why won’t my printer connect to Wi-Fi?

#kirksville  #printer  #wifi  #setup  Why won’t my printer connect to Wi-Fi?

Common roadblocks:

  • Printer stuck on old SSID or 5 GHz only when it needs 2.4 GHz.
  • WPA mode mismatch or hidden SSID quirks.
  • Router isolation settings (AP/client isolation) blocking discovery.
  • Drivers or AirPrint services not installed on the computer/phone.
  • Weak signal in the corner where the printer lives.

Need help? Check here: /services/house-calls/

What it might be (likely causes)

  • Band/SSID mismatch
    Many budget printers only support 2.4 GHz. If your home Wi-Fi uses a combined name for 2.4 GHz/5 GHz, the printer may latch onto the wrong band or fail to join. Band-splitting tips: /posts/router-settings-small-town/

[Read more →]

Why won’t Windows Update work anymore?

#kirksville  #windows update  #troubleshooting  Why won’t Windows Update work anymore?

Things to check:

  • Windows Update components stuck; try resetting the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders.
  • Corrupted system files; “DISM /RestoreHealth” then “sfc /scannow”.
  • Third-party AV or firewall interfering with update traffic.
  • Disk nearly full or failing, causing write errors.
  • Version end-of-life or driver blocks.

Need help? Check here: /services/computer-maintenance/

What it might be (likely causes)

  • Stuck update cache
    The SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders hold temporary update files and catalogs. If they get corrupted, Windows Update can stall or error out.

[Read more →]