How To Get Computer Help

At one point or another, most all of us need help fixing a problem with our computer. It could be anything from the network not networking to the thing just refusing to turn on. When you turn to your computer-savvy friend for help, be mindful of these Ten Commandments, and everything should go smoothly - for the both of you.

1. It can't be fixed over a shoulder. Let the more knowledgeable one sit in front of it, with access to the keyboard and any buttons. No one likes shoulder-surfing. Computer people HATE shoulder-fixing. They need to be able to toggle the doodads and flip the gizmos. If you don't want to let him sit down and do his thing, buy yourself a PC troubleshooting guide.
2. If you don't understand the answer to a question, don't assume that the answer is wrong. Ask for a simpler answer.
3. If you already asked someone else, NEVER compare the answers you got then to the answers you're getting now. That will end a help session very quickly and ruin your chances of getting help from that person in the future.
4. The Internet and networks are still relatively new, and they all break sometimes. If your Internet connection or network has never stopped working, just wait. It will. Keep in mind that settings can and will change on their own and have to be fixed. Yes, 20 years is new. It takes a lot of time to work bugs out of a system.
5. Never ask more than one techie for help at the same time, unless you enjoy a good pissing contest. This is also a very good way to start a never-ending computer discussion that will be completely foreign to you.
6. Computers are ever-changing. Always remember that a solution to a problem that worked this time might not work for the exact same problem next time. Computers that are actually used are in a constantly changing state. The minute you start using a computer, it is not the same as it was when you took it out of the box.
7. For broadband Internet connections (cable, DSL, wireless, etc.), keep the following in mind: When all the lights are on and no connection can be found, it could be that your Internet provider is having trouble. In other words, their computers are going bonkers instead of yours! In that case, all you can do is wait. If it still doesn't work after waiting awhile, give the service provider a call. See number 8.
8. Still not working? Another thing you can do when the service provider says "Nope, nothing wrong here!" is to disconnect your broadband modem. Wait a while (about a minute). Then, reconnect the thing. In many cases, that fixes the problem.
9. The huffy computer. Sometimes the computer gets huffy and doesn't want to talk to your modem or the other peripherals. Shut it down (not the same as restarting) and wait awhile. Let it cool down and turn it back on. In many cases, that fixes the problem.
10. Sometimes your guy just can't fix it. When all else fails and you call tech support, make sure you call the right people. Your Internet service provider probably didn't make your computer, so if your computer is the problem, they are not responsible for fixing it. For Internet problems, call the Internet service provider. For a "blue screen of death" or a clicking noise or a computer that just won't start, call the computer manufacturer. If you have a computer you built yourself, invest in a good troubleshooting manual.