Guide to Using Free Technical Support on the Internet

We all need computer tech support from time to time. When the problem is beyond a users experience they need to reach out in some way for those technical support services. This guide will point you to Internet technical support resources, most of them free.

The best path for any situation depends on the experience and knowledge level of the user. If a user has basic Internet browsing skills, they can often resolve the technical issue completely, or at least narrow the focus which can lower the costs of paid live tech support if ultimately required. I'm sharing with you some of the techniques that the professional computer techs use. The pro's experience allows them to do it better, more quickly and more certainly than the novice. But even a novice has a fair shot at solving their own computer problems.

If you have problems with a Dell PC, and it's under warranty, of course you'll contact Dell. If you have a problem with Adobe software, you don't need somebody to tell you to try Adobe support first.

What do you do when the product is not under warranty, when your not sure which program is causing the problem? Here are some tips, secrets, strategies, web sites that willl help you take a shot at fixing your PC problems.

Make notes as you procede. Hacking around, trying random approaches will waste time and opportunities. Your written notes will also be helpful if you have to get a professional computer tech involved (more about that later). Don't write a book, just take notes:

• Write out in one sentence the problem you are trying to solve. Be as specific as possible. For example, "pc locks up when I open a certain word document" or "error message 123 when opening my access database"
• Take screen shots of any error messages and print or better yet save them to your PC.
• As you try things, and especially if you make any changes, make notes on what you did and the result.
• Write as a numbered list.
• Write concisely. A few words can help. Too many words get in the way.

Use Google. No really! We almost always start with a web search. The reason that this works so well for a pro is that they know how to search and find results.

• Remember those notes and screen shots? Search on specific words. General searches are generally useless.
• Use error message numbers and specific word phrases.
• Put the pertinent actual words from the message in quotations, e.g. "system error 13405" ... "missing parameter. Operation aborted" This narrows the search quickly.
  
• Restrict the time frame. You probably don't want the five year old solution. I usually start with a 90 day window, and possibly extend to a year. You generally get better results.
• Change your search preference to show 30 results, and to open results in a new window. This makes it easier to prowl through the list of hits for something that feels like your problem.
• Look for forum hits. Your problem has very likely been complained about in any number of forums, and it's also likely that a kind soul gave up the answer already. Steal their work if it looks like it applies to your situation. Read down the forum thread to find solutions that worked; they're probably better choices than the ones that failed.
• When you see something on point, then cut and paste or take a screen shot so you can add to your notes and have a treatment plan to follow.
• Make note of search words you use. You don't want to waste time redoing searches.
  

Here are some of the sites that often give helpful information. Go in prepared. Have your notes ready. You need to enter a clear but concise description of your problem symptoms, software and hardware models and versions. Ask specific questions. Everybody gets worn out if they have to drag it out of you in a ping pong of Q&A posts.

Some offer forums. Some have support request forms. Some are primarily windows technical support, but some have MAC help. All offer software tech support. While these all provide free answers and information, many appreciate donations for a good experience. That is completely optional.

Tech Support Guy

Major Geeks

5 Star Support

Protonic

Tom's Hardware

Tech Support Forums

I'll be happy to add others after checking them out. There is a special comments block at the bottom of the article that will not display individual URLs to control spamming (deleted after review).

If you have a friend or relative that has a little bit more knowledge or better computer skils, then ask them to look over your shoulder. They don't live near you? No problem. They can help you out by using remote access. By using a free service, you can connect two computers in two different cities. The host PC allows the remote PC to control the screen, keyboard and mouse. Then the supporting PC can literally look over your shoulder as you create the problem situation, and control the mouse and keyboard if necessary.

Backup before you mess up. If you or or your tech support make any changes, or if the problem gets progressively worse, you be glad to have a safety net.

• On Windows PC, make a restore point.
• Backup your data.
  

Many problems are related to slowness. Slowness often comes from clutter and spyware so clean house as part of your personal tech support:

You can clear out problems and speed up your slow PC at the same time.

Get rid of spyware which can create all sorts of symptoms.

To avoid problems put yourself on a monthly plan.

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