Tuesday, February 07, 2006
You use the Help and Support Center when you need help and support, right? Well, yes. Sorta. The Help and Support Center works best when
You want to learn about what functions big pieces of Windows perform, and you aren't overly concerned about solving a specific problem (for example, "What is Windows Media Player"?).
You have a problem that's easy to define ("My printer won't print").
You have a pretty good idea of what you want to do, but you need a little prodding on the mechanics to get the job done ("How do I change my desktop's picture?").
The Help and Support Center won't do much for you if you have only a vague idea of what's ailing your machine, if you want to understand enough details to think your way through a problem, if you're trying to decide on what hardware or software to buy for your computer, or if you want to know where the XP bodies are buried.
If you can't find the help you need in the Help and Support Center, expand your search for enlightenment in this order:
Far and away the best way to get help involves simple bribery. Buttonhole a buddy who knows about this stuff, and get her to lend you a virtual hand. Promise her a beer, a pizza, a night on the town -- whatever it takes. If your friend knows her stuff, it'll be cheaper and faster than the alternatives.
If your buddy is off getting a tan at Patong beach, you may be able to find help elsewhere on the Internet. Just type your question into Google or Yahoo! and see what comes up.
If all else fails, you can try to contact Microsoft by e-mail. You may qualify for free e-mail support using something called Microsoft Online Assisted Support. The best way to find out if you qualify, and connect with a support droid if you do, is to:
Choose Start, Help and Support.
Under the Ask for Assistance list, click Get support, or find information in Windows XP newsgroups.
In the Support box, click Get Help from Microsoft.
You connect to Microsoft's support site on the Internet, and at that point, you have a chance to review what support is available to you and how much it will cost.
As a last resort, you can try to contact Microsoft by telephone. Heaven help ya. Some pundits have observed that you'll probably have more luck with a psychic hotline. Be that as it may, the telephone number for tech support in the USA is (425) 635-3311; in Canada, it's (905) 568-4494.
You want to learn about what functions big pieces of Windows perform, and you aren't overly concerned about solving a specific problem (for example, "What is Windows Media Player"?).
You have a problem that's easy to define ("My printer won't print").
You have a pretty good idea of what you want to do, but you need a little prodding on the mechanics to get the job done ("How do I change my desktop's picture?").
The Help and Support Center won't do much for you if you have only a vague idea of what's ailing your machine, if you want to understand enough details to think your way through a problem, if you're trying to decide on what hardware or software to buy for your computer, or if you want to know where the XP bodies are buried.
If you can't find the help you need in the Help and Support Center, expand your search for enlightenment in this order:
Far and away the best way to get help involves simple bribery. Buttonhole a buddy who knows about this stuff, and get her to lend you a virtual hand. Promise her a beer, a pizza, a night on the town -- whatever it takes. If your friend knows her stuff, it'll be cheaper and faster than the alternatives.
If your buddy is off getting a tan at Patong beach, you may be able to find help elsewhere on the Internet. Just type your question into Google or Yahoo! and see what comes up.
If all else fails, you can try to contact Microsoft by e-mail. You may qualify for free e-mail support using something called Microsoft Online Assisted Support. The best way to find out if you qualify, and connect with a support droid if you do, is to:
Choose Start, Help and Support.
Under the Ask for Assistance list, click Get support, or find information in Windows XP newsgroups.
In the Support box, click Get Help from Microsoft.
You connect to Microsoft's support site on the Internet, and at that point, you have a chance to review what support is available to you and how much it will cost.
As a last resort, you can try to contact Microsoft by telephone. Heaven help ya. Some pundits have observed that you'll probably have more luck with a psychic hotline. Be that as it may, the telephone number for tech support in the USA is (425) 635-3311; in Canada, it's (905) 568-4494.
