Tips For Getting Technical Support Help Online


Sometimes your PC will start acting strange for no apparent reason or a program which you use regularly will all of a sudden stop working as it should. This can be a frustrating experience especially if you have no idea where to go for help. If this happens to you, don't panic! Here are some simple tips which may turn your frown upside down.

1. Don't assume that your problem is unique. The chances are that someone else has had that problem and it has already been solved. Google is a great place for getting technical support help believe it or not. You may have to experiment with wording your problem and refining your search, but it's worth a try. For example my Outlook email client stopped showing me the 'Subject' field when I was composing new email. As a result all of my email was going out without a subject. After a bit of experimenting with wording the problem I found the answer by searching on the phrase "Outlook subject field missing". Someone in an online discussion group had the same problem and the answer was provided. When you find good discussions groups bookmark them for future use. I have a bookmark I call Technical Support Help and it's full of great web sites.

2. The Google trick is good for lots of software but you should always try the web site of the program's manufacturer as well. Sometimes your problem is really a bug and there may be a new release or work around available. Many software web sites have FAQs, discussion lists, and help desks available that provide free support. Sometimes there is a telephone number that you can call but you may have to pay for live help.

3. There are companies that offer free general help for simple questions and then charge a sliding scale for more complicated ones. Support Freaks (www.supportfreaks.com) is a good one to try. Even if you have to pay, the rates are reasonable. Click on the "Freebies" link, under the "Quick Links" menu to see if your question is eligible for free help.

4. There are probably any number of local PC support groups that meet in libraries and other locations near your home. Some of these groups are very specific in nature and some are general. Try searching Google for "PC Support Group" or "PC User group" and the name of your town. Also check with your local librarian and computer stores. They often know of these groups.

5. Speaking of computer stores, you can often pick the brains of the more knowledgeable salespeople if you are lucky enough to find any. Many times these employees love computers so much that they will act as your big brother or sister if you need some quick help. Sometimes they moonlight as consultants at a good rate.

This ought to be enough information to get you started on the road to solving your next PC or software problem. If you are having Internet connectivity problems then your ISP is the first place to start. If you can't get online at all, and you don't think you know their phone number, think again. I'll bet that it's printed on every bill that they send you. You'll also need your account number and you can bet that it's printed on the bill as well.

Remember -- When it comes to getting technical support help, the first rule is: Don't Panic!

About The Author

Copyright © 2004 Cavyl Stewart. Discover 52 Ways To Do More With Software by signing up for my exclusive Free ecourse. Get tutorials, tips, reviews and recommendations you can use right now to help you achieve more, easier, and cheaper! 100% Original content. Visit: http://www.find-small-business-software.com/52ways.html.


MORE RESOURCES:
personal tech - Google News
Updated : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:20:54 GMT

No Place to Hide - Barron's

No Place to Hide
Barron's - 4 hours ago
... which isn't encouraging for personal-computer and mobile-handset demand," says technology analyst Bill Whyman of International Strategy & Investment, ...

Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 04:12:30 GMT

Personal gadgets killing downtime - Vancouver Sun

Personal gadgets killing downtime
Vancouver Sun,  Canada - Sep 4, 2008
With Canadians taking on increasingly longer workdays, a recent survey conducted by Leger Marketing indicates Canadians are using their personal tech ...

Publ.Date : Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:10:10 GMT

Louisville 51, Tennessee Tech 10 - Card Chronicle

Louisville 51, Tennessee Tech 10
Card Chronicle, KY - 1 hour ago
Biggest personal reaction (negative): Cantwell getting hit hard for the second straight play with less than two minutes to go in the third quarter. ...

Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 06:35:52 GMT

FOCUS ON PERSONAL TECH: Lure of the Web - The Keene Sentinel

The Keene Sentinel

FOCUS ON PERSONAL TECH: Lure of the Web
The Keene Sentinel, NH - 12 hours ago
Eons members create personal profiles, upload personal photos and join interest groups, similar to Facebook and MySpace. But in contrast with those social ...

Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 19:54:06 GMT

Personal Tech: iPhone just got smarter - Salt Lake Tribune

Personal Tech: iPhone just got smarter
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - Aug 19, 2008
By Vince Horiuchi "Crash Kart,"a Mario Kart-like driving game, is shown running on Apple's new iPhone 3G. With all the hoopla over the iPhone 3G and its new ...

Publ.Date : Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:53:06 GMT

Will Wright's Spore: Initial impressions - Globe and Mail

Globe and Mail

Will Wright's Spore: Initial impressions
Globe and Mail, Canada - 3 hours ago
I'll be playing more over the next day or two and filing a full length review for the Globe and Mail's Personal Tech page. However, I'd be surprised if my ...

Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 05:13:26 GMT

Police probe cell phones to thwart criminals - San Francisco Chronicle

Police probe cell phones to thwart criminals
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 9 hours ago
(09-07) 16:07 PDT -- Deep in the bowels of San Francisco's Hall of Justice, Sgt. Wayne Hom plugs in a USB key to activate a new high-tech tool that has ...

Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 23:20:14 GMT

Microsoft Tech 'Gurus' To Hone Windows Retail Pitch - CRN

DailyTech

Microsoft Tech 'Gurus' To Hone Windows Retail Pitch
CRN, NY - Sep 5, 2008
Although Microsoft says the guru idea is adapted from the Nordstrom model of "personal shoppers," it also sounds like the type of experience one gets ...
Microsoft ads aim to improve the view of Vista Houston Chronicle
New Seinfeld ad draws negative reviews online Times Record News
all 569 news articles

Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:50:08 GMT

Cards Crush TN Tech 51-10 - CardinalSports.com (subscription)

Cards Crush TN Tech 51-10
CardinalSports.com (subscription), KY - Sep 6, 2008
A personal foul penalty on Tech put the Golden Eagles in a deep hole and the team was held to just four plays and minus nine yards. ...

Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:23:29 GMT
UBB Webdesign.com © 2008