How to get help in Tech Support and quick fact sheet for PC trouble/questions
1 replies, posted
To make sure everyone gets help in here, here's some guidelines you should follow:
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[*][b]Use descriptive thread titles[/b]
Naming your thread [i]"OMG COMPUTER BROKE"[/i] or [i]"PC problems"[/i] won't give any ideas as to what the problem is about, and may make it harder for people to find threads that they can help with.
[*][b]Don't be rude to those that are trying to help you[/b]
Nobody really wants to help a bitchy person with their problems. They're trying to help you, treat them with respect.
[*][b]Give as much info as possible[/b]
People who help you aren't really wanting to play 20 questions. Try to give as much information about the problem as you possibly can in the OP (What, When, Where, How). This includes giving system specs (computer model is okay too) along with the post.
[*][b]Don't ask for help on warez[/b]
Just don't. Please.
[*][b][highlight]We can't do anything about your stolen steam account[/highlight][/b]
There's nothing we can do. Nothing. Start the road to recovery over at steam support: [url]https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2347-QDFN-4366[/url]
[*][b]Look around for your problem first[/b]
Try and see if someone already asked this question, there may be an answer.
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[b]For those of you replying to requests for help please read these rules[/b]
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[*]Don't reply just to say call the OP a "macfag", tell them to "get a pc", or call them stupid.
[*]You may suggest a better anti-virus/security suite/etc, but DO NOT troll them over it or refuse help until they do.
[*]Don't give advice if you're not confident about it.
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[url=http://www.facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=607677]These rules[/url] still apply of course.
[b][u]Helpful resources[/u][/b]
[list]
[*][url=http://www.wikihow.com/Take-a-Screenshot-in-Microsoft-Windows]How to take a screenshot in Windows[/url]
[*][url=http://www.facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=837115]Overclocking Discussion[/url]
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[b]Finding system information[/b]
[QUOTE=Big.Boss;16227101]Please include this whenever making a help thread.
[B]Windows[/B]
1. Click "Start" on the Taskbar.
2. Go to "All Programs".
3. Go to "Accessories".
4. Go to "System Tools".
5. Click "System Information".
[B]Mac[/B]
1. Go to Finder, which will be an icon in your dock.
2. Click "Macintosh HD".
3. Open the "Applications" folder.
4. Open the "Utilities" folder within that folder.
5. Click on "Apple System Profiler", and read the information that comes up.
[B]Linux[/B]
1. Type lshw
2. Type lshw -html
3. KInfoCenter (KDE then System Menu)[/QUOTE]
[b]How much RAM does 32-bit windows support[/b]
[QUOTE=mblunk;10565784]Ugh, not this again.
32-bit operating systems can have 2^32 "addresses", which are used for input and output to the computer. This can include USB, keyboard buttons, mouse position and clicks, video and system RAM, and so on. 2^32=4294967296, which is the number of bytes in 4GB. System memory gets the last addressing priority, so in 32-bit, you can use as much as ram as 4GB minus your VRAM (video card memory), which is the only other thing that takes up a considerable amount of addresses. So if you have a 512MB video card, you can use up to 3.5GB of RAM because 512MB is half a gig, and since system memory gets last address priority, the VRAM (video ram on the graphics card) gets addresses first. If you have a 1GB graphics card, you can use up to 3GB. In 64-bit, you can use up to [b]17179869184 [u]GB[/u][/b] in theory, but 64-bit windows only supports up to 128GB in practice. This is why 64-bit is the future, because the current memory standard is approaching the 32-bit limit for addresses, so people are switching to 64-bit so they can have more memory.
This topic comes up so much that I'll just bookmark this post so I can paste a link to it next time this comes up again.[/QUOTE]
[i]submitted by The Chef[/i]
[i]Have something useful? Want your name in a sticky? PM me[/i]
THINGS I WILL COVER
[B]I:Bluescreens and what they mean[/B]
[B]II:I have a virus HALP!1!!![/B]
[B]III:PC is running slow I don't know why[/B]
[B]IV: I am upgrading and need to know my options[/B]
[B]V:Drivers/programs you should get[/B]
[B]I: Bluescreens[/B]
Q: what is a bluscreen?
A: A Bluescreen is a way of the OS telling what error has occurred and it shuts down in order protect itself. Usually it will say IRQ_LESSTHAN_OR_XXXXX
Q: the bluescreen flashes for a second and I can't catch it.
A: You can disable automatic restart by right clicking mycomputer>Properties>Advanced>Startup and recovery>settings and look for automatic restart
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w79/corvettefisher/bsod1.jpg[/img]
1. sometimes windows will be nice and tell you where the error occurred from
2. Usually this is the only thing you get and is most important, Driver errors usually include your device driver that caused the problem name and memory includes something like the above. IRQ is when two devices conflict for order of importance usually happens more with old hardware.
Q: How do I fix it?
A: google the Error code, update drivers you suspect of crashing, for ram just swap out one stick at a time if it doesn't crash after use the stick is good. If you do all the above and you still crash then it may be just bad hardware or incompatible.
[B]II: So you got and std, mean virus...[/B]
Yeah regardless oh how you got it you need to take steps to prevent it
this is common sense 2010 gold Free trail!
[B]DO's[/B]
Use a safer browser like [url=http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/upgrade.html]Firefox[/url] , [url=http://www.opera.com/]Opera[/url] or [url=http://www.google.com/chrome]Chrome][/url] .
If you are using IE or your parents don't want you to use firefox, but you have a flash drive Use [url=http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/firefox_portable]Firefoxportable[/url], parents/schools don't know.
Use a form of antivirus other than that norton that ran out and you never update anyways
USE these,[url=http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html]Spybot SD[/url] [url=http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html?part=dl-10044820&subj=dl&tag=button]AVG free[/url], [url=http://www.avast.com/]Avast[/url] both are FREE as in no money needed
Keep windows firewall uptodate, yes it does stop stuff getting in, and if you use a router with firewall settings make sure it is uptodate.
[B]Don't[/B]
Go to that XXX porn site names hotnude18XX.g.swf.1.nl
Don't click on things that say "FIREWALL OUT OF DATE!" hit alt+f4 or alt+esc
don't download limewirepro from limewire, and use less p2p services
don't download FREE COOL!! TOOLBAR!\WALLPAPER\Screensaver.exe
and if it is too good to be true it probably is.
[B]III:PC is slow I don't know why[/B]
Do step 2 run virus stuff if you are still slow
Use [url=http://www.stevengould.org/index.php?Itemid=69&id=15&option=com_content&task=view]Cleanup[/url] to get out your junkfiles
Defrag tool [url=http://www.auslogics.com/disk-defrag]Aulogics[/url] you can even schedule when it needs to run day/week/month/year
Q: "I have Vista pre installed on my X"
A: Use [url=http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/]Decrapifer[/url]
Q: Vista is using 50% or 1.4gb of ram and I only have 2
A: Don't worry it will cut it down when you need it the most [url]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w79/corvettefisher/dude.jpg[/url]
Q: Still runs slow and crashes WTF ur not helping!
A: Install the service packs
Vista 32bit [url=http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a4dd31d5-f907-4406-9012-a5c3199ea2b3&DisplayLang=en]click[/url]
64bit [url=http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=656c9d4a-55ec-4972-a0d7-b1a6fedf51a7&DisplayLang=en]click me[/url]
Q:64bit ? I have 32 what is the difference?
A: Basically you can only have 4gb of total ram, so if you have a videocard,soundcard or other cards in their it will minus that from your ram.
Q: help I get LOW RAM WARNING!! and I have no money for more ram
A: Right click on My Computer>properties>advanced>Performance look for increase page size.
this will not make your PC super fast but it will help you do a little more than you could
if there is something I am not answering pm me
[B]IV: My parents givez me money I need to upgrade for X game![/B]
Q: Kay How do I fine would what I have and what I can upgrade
A: USe [url=http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/SysInfo/GPU-Z/]gpuz[/url] to find out what your options are and what you are currently running, Use [url=http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=cpuz&aq=f&aqi=n1g-s10&oq=&fp=ee36edbd3c16a1c5]CPUZ[/url] for everything else
Q: WHAT I CAN'T READ IT!?!
A: For CPUZ [img]http://img.compwhizii.net/1253453474.jpg[/img]
what is in red is what we need to help you upgrade. Oh and Graphics interface tells you the expansion slot you can upgrade your video card with that info
For GPUZ and HWmonitor it just measures your temps you can grab it [url=http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php]here[/url]
[img]http://img.compwhizii.net/1253495572.jpg[/img]
what is in red is important , but this is pretty much self explanatory
[B]V: PROGRAMS PROGRAMS PROGRAMS [/B]
Q: Office is 60bucks for 3 cd keys on newegg and I am cheap
[url=http://www.openoffice.org/]Use open office[/url] It is kinda like Word 2003 but with .docx
Q: Vista Defrag is slow
A: [url=http://www.auslogics.com/disk-defrag]Aulogics is for you[/url]
Q: I have alot of processes running and I am slowing down?
A: [url=http://download.cnet.com/Trend-Micro-HijackThis/3000-8022_4-10227353.html]High jack this[/url]
Q: My browser is slow
A:[url=http://www.opera.com/]opera[/url] or [url=http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/upgrade.html]Firefox[/url]
Get addons like Adblock, Downloadhelper and download them all
anything else I have already listed, if you can think of anything PM me
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