Tips on dealing with computer problems
The title Never Call Tech Support Again! of a PC World article is probably overstating its usefulness but nonetheless it has some tips about common computer problems that are worth reading. The introduction says
Bad things happen to good computers: Motherboards fry, hard disks die, and spyware and viruses muck up Windows. You’d call tech support, but most of those folks are just reading from a script. You figure you can do better on your own–and you’re probably right. To help get you started, we’ve assembled an expert guide to diagnosing some of the most common, tricky problems that befall a PC owner. And just in case you decide to throw in the towel, we’ve also interviewed some support technicians to find out what you can do (and, just as important, what you should avoid doing) to help them solve your problem with a minimum of hassle.
The last point is especially important. Have the nature of your problem clearly in mind if you have to call tech support and try to be as precise as possible when describing your problem. (See this previous entry.)