FREE Computer Assistance & Support
Begins Here
Free online assistance
requires some reading with a high success rate in answering / resolving your
question / problem the first time. Sometimes the problem can be resolved
by you (the end user) saving time and money.
How many tech
supports, customer services or support groups have you contacted and
gotten a response in a timely manner resolving your issue?
With over 20 years computer experience, I know and understand
the frustrations associated with computers, technical support, customer service,
knowledge bases, etc. If you feel your
problem/question is important enough to have found this site, then I wish to be of
assistance.
We will try to
answer as many submittals possible, but we cannot guarantee that all
submittals will be answered.
For computers under warranty, please contact that computer technical support for assistance.
Problems with software/applications or peripherals such as mouse, keyboard,
printer, monitor, scanner, external Zip drive or other external drive,
please contact that vendor/manufacture.
I recommend self help
first to familiarize yourself (the
end-user) with resources readily available within your operating system or
program, saving frustration & time of trying to search a knowledge base, using
search engines only to be referred to a forum/message board hoping the answer is easy to find,
or trying to contact the manufacture/tech support/customer service resulting in
more delays and frustrations.
Some end-users may find
available resources and manuals too technical, wanting to just find the answer
in laymen terms and fast. Sometimes there is no simple answer for there are
10’s of thousand combinations of conflicts, brands of computers, types of
components and devices forever changing in design, operation/function with new problems
and conflicts.
Please Read the
following BEFORE making any changes/upgrades to your system. I never
recommend using restoration disk (s) to reformat and start over without, Why
#4;
1) Before downloading or installing
software or hardware, update your Windows Operating system
Updates -
Office
Word - Excel - PowerPoint - FrontPage, etc.
2) Make sure you have updated your virus
protection and AntiSpyware - Windows
Free AntiSpyware
3) Create (Windows XP) a
restore point prior to any changes to the System by installing software
or hardware. You can use the System Restore
tool to return your computer to a previous working state. System Restore
takes a "snapshot" of critical system files and some program files and
stores this information as restore points. You can use these restore points
to return Windows XP to a previous state.
4)
Backup data only - I recommend using an external
drive. Before backing up run updates, perform a virus and anti-spyware
scan. You do not want to backup the problem.
Basic Backup
If you have to restore your system
using the system disks provided with your system, you lose all data and any
updates of that system, software and hardware. Thus once your system
is recovered, you have to perform all updates and install software and
hardware that did not come with your computer.
Now that you have performed the above, install one item at
a time....be it software or hardware or upgrades. Check to see how
your system runs, reboot and see. Run virus and spyware programs in
the event the new installation installed
3rd party software (ad-ware), spy-ware
i.e. keyloggers, mal-ware such as a virus, or Trojan Horse.
You now encounter a problem read on.
Common
problems You May Find After you download
or install a new game, application or perform software updates, Window
update or you manually make changes to
your computer. Sometimes that change may make your system unstable.
The quickest way resolve is by using system restore - Windows
ME or
XP to restore last good configuration.
Have
you used Help F-1,
To resolve/look up a
problem or answer a Question? Help and Support from your Start Menu or F1 Help,
Documentation, Read Me file or using a search engine and specific keyword(s) related to
your question or problem. Although sometimes frustrating, it may
be better to contact the manufacture's OEM (original
equipment manufacturer) software/hardware knowledge base
or support section for the most current update, drivers or known
problems.
Is
your System and
Software updated
? Even if your
system is out of box today, it needs to be updated.
Sometimes updating your
operating system or software and drivers resolves most conflicts and
protects you from security threats. It
is paramount for protection and security to stay current with updates for all
software installed. Updates
Device
and Driver Updates Listed are some of the
most common computer companies, sound or video card manufacturers and their
contact information & link.
Self Help,
being familiar with your system, navigation,
terminology, option & help menus, system tools that are available within
your operating system can save time, frustration and even money.
Maintenance Wizard, Disk Cleanup, ScanDisk,
Defragmentation, Support
System
Information provides important data about your system, especially
when asked your processor info, bios make & version, memory, OS, and as you
can see below if we need to know about devices installed it is all there in
your System Information.
If
your issue/problem is related to Networking please provide topology,
bus, ring, star, tree, include bridges, routers, brouters, switches, nodes
(workstations/computers) connected. Vital information needed, is operating system,
IP addresses, workgroup, Subnet.
REMEMBER:
you are our eyes and ears. The answer may be
ANY CHANGE
made by you, another user, a recent update / download, installation /
uninstall / removal since the last time you had a
successful boot/session. We need to know
ANY and ALL changes prior to
the problem. What may have been the cause.
Back Up! Back Up! Back up! before
making changes to your system. Before Backing up, run a full system
scan for viruses, malware, adware, spyware or trojan viruses.
If you have read everything above and feel
that you still need assistance,
continue

HOME - ABOUT
US - SEARCH THIS SITE -
SERVICES & PRICES -
SITEMAP -
VIRUSES-HOAXES
Computer-Firstaid - Your Computer 9-1-1 Service
Your 1st step in solving computer & networking problems.
We Keep it Simple and the Cost Down |