Posting And You... - A Multimedia Guide for Newcomers to Forums
>>>>> Incomplete questions will get you incomplete answers <<<<<
- Please provide us your level of computer experience
- Software
- Novice - I use the computer, but always turn to others for advice
- Advanced - I can install software and troubleshoot most software on my own and rarely need help from others
- Experienced - I often help others
- Expert - I never need help, but this time I'm stuck
- Novice - I use the computer, but always turn to others for advice
- Hardware
- Novice - I've never opened my computer
- Advanced - I've installed components like memory, hard drives, etc
- Expert - I've built my own computers
- Novice - I've never opened my computer
- Software
- What are your system specs?
- Hardware:
- Brand-name or custom-built? (by you or someone else?)
- Hardware, model #s, etc...
- What CPU? How much RAM? etc...
- How do you connect to the Internet? (Dial-Up, DSL, Cable)
- Is the PC on a LAN? (Wired, Wireless)
- Brand-name or custom-built? (by you or someone else?)
- Software:
- What OS (Operating System) are you using?
- At what SP (Service Pack) level?
- Are you current on all Windows patches, AV updates, etc...
- What anti-virus, firewall, spyware, spamware software do you have installed?
- What OS (Operating System) are you using?
- Hardware:
- What are you trying to accomplish? (there may be a simpler solution that you've overlooked)
- What recently changed? Or what did you recently try to do? (This is not the time to be shy or embarrassed. We all make mistakes. But if you deny us information it will take us a lot longer, or even prevent us, from solving your problem. And we'll probably figure it out anyway)
- What have you tried thus far?
- What were the results?
- Did you SEARCH the COMPUTER FORUM (here)?
- If YES,
- Did you try any of the previously-posted solutions?
- What were the results?
- List a few LINKs to the COMPUTER FORUM threads that did not solve your problem (use the http button)
- Did you try any of the previously-posted solutions?
- If NO,
- Please do so before posting any further questions
- If YES,
- Did you SEARCH GOOGLE?
- If YES,
- Did you try any of the previous-posted solutions? (List the SEARCH PARAMETERS that you used)
- What were the results?
- List a few LINKs to the GOOGLE threads that did not solve your problem (use the http button)
- Did you try any of the previous-posted solutions? (List the SEARCH PARAMETERS that you used)
- If NO,
- Please do so before posting any further questions
- If YES,
- If you're experiencing a BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death), please include ALL of the information from the greyed-out areas of MSDN - Blue Screen Data
- Do not post in this thread. Instead, start a new thread for your question and use a descriptive, informative title. Use a descriptive, informative title. AVOID using terms such as PLEASE HELP!, URGENT!!, I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO SEARCH BUT...
- Present your information in a readable format:
- Use multiple paragraphs (following the order listed in this Guide)
- Avoid run on sentences (i.e. use commas, periods, etc...)
- Avoid slang (narrows the audience that can understand what you're trying to say without an interpreter!)
- Run your message through a spellchecker or check questionable words with an online dictionary (Merriam-Webster Online)
- Use multiple paragraphs (following the order listed in this Guide)
- Are you willing (and able) to check back here at least once (preferrably more) per day to report on your progress?
- If not, trying to resolve your problem via a forum is likely to be painful and time consuming. See here for a case study. This problem could have been resolved in 9 minutes. Instead it took 2 weeks
- When your problem is resolved, please
- Post back and let us know what worked
- Edit your originial Post Title to say Resolved or Fixed, so that the list is easier to manage for those of us who "work" here
- Makes it easier for others who have the same problem to find a solution
- Post back and let us know what worked
>>>>> Incomplete questions will get you incomplete answers <<<<<
Spyware problems <~Thread to help you with spyware problems
Keep your computer running smoothly <~Thread to help you keep your computer running smoothly
Networking guide<~Thread to help you with your networking problems
Good Tech Sites<~Thread with good technical sites
DVD Burning FAQ and Guides<~Site that has tons of DVD burning FAQ and guides
Please do not start PMing the people who are trying to help you, there are three reasons for this:
1. Keeping all the information in the original thread makes it searchable and usable by others in the future
2. You will get faster help by getting the combined resources of the forum helping you
3. Having multiple PM conversations can result in you getting confusing and conflicting instructions, as no one has all the information about what's been tried so far
Once again PLEASE post the solution and edit your title when your problem has been solved.
TTA thanks very much.
Mod edit was simply removing update date from title.
Message edited by: FatWallet moderator on 2008-06-05 11:16:24 CDT
