A Tale of Troubleshooting and Resilience

Hi, my name is Gabe Ng, and I’m the owner of Spacebar, an IT business that has been part of Sylvania’s community for over a decade. With twenty years of troubleshooting expertise, I’ve built a career—and a reputation—on solving the kinds of problems others shy away from. Fluent in operating systems from macOS to Linux, and having built over a thousand computers, my work is part mastery, part connection. For many of my clients, I’m not just a technician but a trusted concierge, solving problems that bridge their professional and personal lives.

My recent client, let’s call him Stan, came to me with an urgent need: his laptop, a relic on the brink of collapse, could no longer keep up with the demands of his work. As a CPA, Stan relied heavily on that laptop—and more importantly, on his email, which went back to 2018. PST files, for those unfamiliar, are Outlook’s way of storing emails and data locally on a device. While they served their purpose in older systems, many email providers no longer support them, leaving users in a bind when upgrading to modern software. It wasn’t just an old computer; it was a repository of critical business data. While he initially sought help with his Outlook setup, the catalyst of our work together was his decision to replace the laptop entirely. I advised him that putting money into such an aged device wasn’t worth it; a new system was the only way forward.

Stan’s replacement was a brand-new Windows 11 laptop, but that brought its own complications. Like any good concierge, I guided him through the process with personalized care, ensuring he felt supported every step of the way as we tackled the challenges ahead. Stan’s email relied on an outdated PST file tied to his Buckeye-Express.net account—a service no longer supported by its ISP. Modern Outlook versions, including the Microsoft 365 subscription we needed to install, simply wouldn’t import his data without resistance. His 6GB of emails, spanning years of valuable correspondence, now hung in the balance.

The transition was anything but smooth. New technology forced Stan to face change—a challenge he didn’t want but couldn’t avoid. It’s something I’ve seen many times: human behavior often holds us back from achieving what we truly need. In Stan’s case, the fear of something new—a new system, a new email interface—was almost as paralyzing as the thought of losing his data. Ironically, the very change he feared was also what would save him time and make his work stress-free in the future.

I dug deep, researching and experimenting with solutions until I found a way. By downloading an older version of Outlook, I managed to import his PST file and migrate his years of emails onto the new laptop. It wasn’t elegant, and it wasn’t sustainable long-term, but it got the job done. With Microsoft 365 installed and his data intact, Stan’s business was back in motion.

The story didn’t end there, though. While the new laptop solved his immediate problem, Stan still clung to his Buckeye-Express.net email. I explained the risks: the email service was outdated, plagued by spam, and hosted on unreliable third-party servers. Moving to a modern platform like Gmail or Outlook.com would streamline his workflow and improve security, but the idea of change was still too much for him.

This experience reinforced a valuable lesson for me: my role isn’t to force change but to meet my clients where they are. Stan didn’t need a lecture on modern email platforms—he needed a solution delivered with the precision and care of a concierge, someone who could navigate the complexities without overwhelming him. My role was to simplify the transition, to ensure he felt supported every step of the way, and to deliver results seamlessly. My job was to deliver that solution without adding to his stress.

At Spacebar, I offer an all-inclusive concierge service tailored specifically for higher-level executives who want everything handled without worry. My process is thorough: I start by asking a series of important questions to learn everything about your current setup. From there, I seamlessly transfer all your data, ensuring everything works flawlessly on your new system. With a 1-year concierge service warranty, I provide 24/7/365 support and guarantee a response time of 15 minutes or less. Whether you’re upgrading systems or facing unexpected tech challenges, I’m here to ensure your workflow remains uninterrupted.

For now, Stan’s system is running smoothly, and his years of emails are safe. If the day comes when his outdated email setup finally fails, I’ll be there to help him transition—but only when he’s ready.

Stories like Stan’s remind me why I do what I do. Technology isn’t just about hardware and software; it’s about people, their fears, and their needs. As the owner of Spacebar, I’m here to help you navigate those challenges, one solution at a time. If you find yourself facing a tech problem—whether big or small—I’m just a message away.