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Help! My Computer Needs Sombody!
We've all had those moments when something just does not compute and we don't know what to do next or where to go...those moments when you just want to tear your hair out or jump from the nearest window! While the ideal may be to have an IT expert just down the hall, or a hotshot teenage geek in the family, we don't all have that luxury. The good news is that a lot of tech support is available free online, assuming you can get there.
Here are a few things you need to know before you go looking for help. If you haven't already got this information assembled in an easy to find location, now's a good time to do it and place it safely under your CPU or docking station:
- Your computer's model and model number (e.g., Compaq Presario X3)
- Its registration or serial number (often on the back, or on the bottom of laptops)
- Model and registration numbers for any parts you purchased separately (such as speakers or a monitor)
- Any upgrades you have added, such as extra RAM or a modem or sound card.
- Version of the software you are having trouble with (e.g., Word 7.0 or Netscape 3.03 gold)
- The software's registration number, if you purchased your copy.
- A word for word copy of any error messages (and all numbers) that appeared on your screen when you had the problem.
The first resort is your hardware or software company's telephone help lines, but they sometimes keep you on hold a long time or try to pass the buck. Here are some other places you can try for technical help when you need it:
C/NET's Guerrilla Guide to PC Support (http://www.cnet.com/Content/Features/Howto/Support/index.html) has a detailed listing of help and support options. You may want to print their article and keep it by your computer, just in case you can't get to it at a critical moment.
Almost every hardware and software web site has a FAQ (frequently asked questions) section, where you can often find your answer or a clue. Start there. Write down the web site URLs for your system's components and keep the list near your computer for easy reference.
E-mail gets you help from a live person, but there is typically a 24 hour delay. Be prepared to list the facts and details about your problem succinctly. "It made a funny noise" is too vague.
Manufacturers' web sites often provide downloadable "patches" that you can install to correct known software performance errors. Keep your software up to date.
Services such as Compuserve and AOL have forums (for subscribers only) related to just about all aspects of computing. Find the ones for your own hardware and software on the service you use, and browse through their libraries of information and message bases occasionally. You can get really valuable help and camaraderie for free.
The Tech Support Guy web site (http://www.cermak.com/techguy/) offers to answer your questions free by email.
The Online Support Center (http://www.onlinesupport.com/) offers a Cork Board where it posts all questions and answers, usually within 24 hours.
Neutron Tech Support Line (http://www.neutronet.com/tech.html) posts questions on a "bulletin board" and answers them there.
MacUser Groups by state (http://macwww.lerc.nasa.gov/MUG/OtherMUGs.html) offers local options for placing messages and getting support from other users.
Kaye Vivian
http://www.cloud9.net/~kvivian/
Copyright 1997 by Kaye Vivian ( kvivian@cloud9.net ). All rights reserved. For permission to reprint, contact the author.
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