ReadMe.1st 24hoursupport.helpdesk


In regards to computer problems many participants find it very 
helpful if you supply a few facts about your system along with
your question including:

- MOST IMPORTANT is the Operating System [OS] you use for example 
  Windows 95, 98, XP Home, XP Pro, Linux, MAC OS 9.X , etc.
- Amount of RAM
- Age of your PC [helps when dealing with Hard Drive install problems]


AGAIN, MOST IMPORTANT IS THE OS THAT IS ON THE PROBLEM PC


ERROR MESSAGES

If you are receiving an error message it really helps to post
the [exact verbatim error message] but don't include "stack dump"
or "register" numbers if the error message also includes them. 

For example, [filename.exe has caused a general protection fault 
in module nav32.exe] or [WINWORD caused an invalid page fault in
module MSO97.DLL] can really help the volunteers in the Group
identify your specific problem and suggest reasonable fixes. 

Often you have to press the "details" button to get better info. 

For Windows XP users experiencing BSODs and/or restarts and the 
error message disappears before you can read it try this:

Use Control Panel | System | Advanced | Startup and Recovery 
Settings and untick the "Automatically Restart" item in the
system failure section.

This should lock the PC at the point the error message pops up
and allow you to read it to get an angle on the problem.
     

PERIPHERALS

For peripheral problems like mice, printers, scanners, etc. it often 
helps to include details like how the device is connected e.g. USB, 
serial, LPT, etc. and if the device is "daisy chained" e.g. is the
printer connected directly to the PC or is it connected to the back
of your scanner. Or is it connected through a USB hub.


SOFTWARE

A great deal of software [not working, not installing] problems are
due to incorrect installation and/or spyware running in the background.

Some basic steps to do in advance of installing new software include:

- Disable all background applications prior to installing any new 
  software including your anti-virus program. 
- Remove all spyware
- Double check your system for viruses with another program or with 
  an online scanner. 
- Run scandisk and defrag

It's also useful to post what specific software and version number 
is NOT working/installing on your PC. In other words, its not helpful
to just say that your "Speech Recognition" software is not working
unless you also provide the maker of such ware and the version #. 


SAVE YOURSELF SOME TIME AND FRUSTRATION

Since many problems are very common the answer you want may have
already been posted today so it pays to spend some time reviewing
the Subject Lines to see if others have already asked the same
question and have already been provided with some good answers. 

Please note that 24hoursupport.helpdesk is a text based Newsgroup,
which means NO HTML, NO Attachments, and NO SPAM.