Hey everybody. I have been checking the Computer Help sub-forum a lot recently because I plan on going into a career as a computer tech and I seem to have some answers for people (and I've also learned a lot by reading through other peoples' answers and problems).
Unfortunately, the helpful stuff up here in the stickies has fallen mostly into disrepair since Ruteger disappeared. In particular, the old "read this before posting" thread was full of broken images and double line breaks, and recently the forum's been seeing a little more traffic, so I wrote up a new rules thread. The first two rules are old school while the rest are recent additions (mostly related to recent activity in the forum). Enjoy, and thanks for reading.
Note: If any non-mods have rules/suggestions to add to this thread, please PM them to me (I will steal all the credit).1. Use the Forum SearchRead the
FAQ thread. And please search the forum to see if your question has already been asked and answered. Duplicate question threads will be locked or deleted. This is the same here as any other subforum.
2. No ROM/Abandonware or Warez topics.No asking for CD Keys, key generators or program cracks. This is not the place for that.
3. Google Your ProblemI am not trying to demean anybody's computer experience--I know that there are varying levels of computer knowledge out there. But if you were smart enough to find PWOT, you should be smart enough to use Google. Google is an AMAZING resource. Frankly, if you don't Google your question before you start a topic you at the very least deserve a beating. Read through at least 3 or 4 pages of results before you come here.
This isn't to say that you shouldn't ask your question if you can't find the answer on Google. But don't be offended if someone is short with you after finding your solution on the first page of a search.
4. Be PreciseThe most important thing about asking for computer advice is to tell people exactly what you need or exactly what is wrong. Don't neglect to mention something because you don't think it's important. You're not a computer expert (neither are most of us), so tell us everything.
Things you should mention if you have a problem:
Operating system
Computer model # (if store-bought/pre-built)
Programs you had open when you had the problem
Programs recently installed or updated (within the last few days),
Exact error messages.
If you're getting errors, something much easier than writing them down would be to take a screenshot. To do this, push the Print Screen button (way up on the upper right hand side of your keyboard), and then open Paint. Paste (Ctrl-V) the screenshot into Paint, save it, and upload it to your favorite image hosting site (which should be
Photobucket if you have half a brain). Then post it here.
If you suspect that you are having a hardware problem, please include your computer specs to the best of your ability.
5. Be Precise (part deux)I just want to re-emphasize the above point.
-Dr. Albert OxfordDon't call your thread "I need help". We all know you're here for help. Telling people
what kind of help you need is vital. I generally don't click through on topics I know I don't know anything about (like the
3D Modeling thread or the
Solid State Drives thread). But, as evidenced by the fact that people are posting in those threads, somebody does know something about them. If you tell us
what the thread is going to be about or
what trouble you're having right in the title, people are going to be more likely to click through and help out.
6. Run Spybot and Ad-AwareSeriously. I know it's a joke out on the forums, but before you post asking for help with your browser crashing or your e-mail not working, did you run
Spybot and
Ad-Aware? If you didn't, please do so. Run
AVG Antivirus (or your antivirus of choice, if you have one) too. Make sure you disable your wireless connection or your internet connection (or unplug your computer from the router/modem/wall) while you run these.
If you'd like a more detailed guide to removing spyware and adware, please read
this FAQ.
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