I will try to answer as many submittals possible, but I cannot guarantee that all submittals will be answered.  For computers under warranty, please contact that computer manufactures 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.

 

Have you tried Microsoft Fix it Solution Center - Troubleshooting software issues and find automated solutions for your issues

 

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 brands of computers & configurations, other software installed could be causing a conflict, types of components, peripherals/devices forever changing in design, operation/function, driver updates, 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 Anti-Spyware - Windows Free Anti-Spyware

 

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 ad/mal/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.

 

Why Norton 360

 

Virus Alerts, Security, Hoaxes, Phishing Scams, Trojan Back Door Viruses, Ad/Mal/Spyware & other security threats

 

Free Security System Check and for Viruses  Test Your Computer's Vulnerability To Online Virus & Security Threat Detection

 

You Have a Problem

 

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. 

 

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.

 

If your System Abruptly Stops/Shuts Down

 

 

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

 

How to Check for the Version of MS Operating System - Office

 

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, extenders, switches, nodes (workstations/computers) connected.  Vital information that is needed, is operating system, IP addresses, workgroup, subnet, network topology.

 

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 or  User's needing Help and Advice Already Given - No MAC's/Apple/Chrome/Android support