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Help and Support...
The best thing to do to prevent problems are to first purchase components like the ones I recommend! The next thing you should do is double-check yourself using the instructions I've given you in the Assembly Section.
Another thing you should do is, if your computer worked great until you installed a driver or some software, is try using the recovery utility that I recommended previously, GoBack. This is the second program you should install on your computer, immediately after the Operating System boots up for the first time.
Troubleshooting
Here are the steps you should take to troubleshoot your problem:
| 1) | If you are having some sort of software problem, the first thing you should do is go to the manufacturer's website and download the newest patch available. This should most likely fix any software problem, but if it doesn't, check out any FAQs the manufacturer may have on their site. | |
| 2) | If the patch and the manufacturer's page prove unhelpful, I'd visit one of the forums that I've linked to that are on the 'Net. The people that you encounter there are frequently some of the most knowledgable persons out there on computer errors, and should prove quite helpful to you. Most messages will get replied to within 24 hours, so be patient (and make sure and ask politely for help). Make sure you can describe, in detail, your problems and include what type of motherboard, processor, etc. you have in your post. | |
| 3) | If the forums prove unfruitful, I'd try calling the manufacturer themselves. Before doing this, though, make sure and review their sites' FAQs, as this may save you from a potentially long phone call. Again, you need to have your system specs in front of you for this phone call and be willing to potentially open up your case and fiddle with it on the phone. | |
| 4) | If the manufacturer doesn't help, try searching Google using appropriate keywords.
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| 5) | Finally, if none of this helps, consider whether you can live with the problem, replace the troubled part, or open up your phone book and call that computer-genius neighbor of yours. | |
Message Boards and Forums
For recurrent problems and overall computer help, message boards and forums have proven to be a God-send. The typical members of said forums are very knowledgable and willing to help.
Be sure, when you post, to include detailed system information like your processor, motherboard, video card, RAM amount, and version of Windows. Don't be too pushy, try to be concise with your question, and do not post multiple messages in a row. You should get a response within 24 hours.
| Anandtech Forums | A very deep community that can help with practically any problem. |
| PC Guide Discussion Forums | Another excellent message board, similar to Anandtech's. |
Next - Learn How to Upgrade Your Fast PC »
Tip: Generally, I have found message boards to be very useful for nearly any question out there. Sometimes, though, there are instances when you happen to get a faulty part. I normally throw in the towel, sell the item on eBay, and find another replacement.
