Try to imagine life without a home computer for business, games, and keeping in touch with family and friends. With the number of viruses bombarding files these days, it may be only a matter of time before the "blue screen of death" brings an end to those online adventures.

So who do you call for home computer repairs? HelpMeRemote.com is one of a growing number of companies that offer a new kind of assistance for computer problems. With the click of a mouse, staffers at HelpMeRemote.com can take over a computer in a remote location through an Internet connection once the registered user logs in. The user can just sit and watch the diagnostics begin in real time, whether it's fixing e-mail or software glitches, locating missing files, installing new software, removing viruses, or repairing frozen screens. What happens if the Internet connection isn't working? There's a phone number to call and a live person to assist you at the other end of the line. …