Getting help with software on PCs

This page was written by Christopher Spry and it is a list to remind me of where I can find advice on software problems on my PCs.

'Help' button. First, try searching the 'built-in' help in the program.
Google 'group' searches. It has an archive of all Usenet newsgroup postings since 1995. Others are sure to have raised the topic you are interested in, somewhere in this vast archive of web discussions. You can connect to any of the 'public' newsgroups at Google to post a question. These are often answered by a knowledgeable Microsoft MVP volunteer. You have to monitor the newsgroup on subsequent days to read the replies to your question, as these postings are seldom answered by email, even if requested.
'Company' newsgroups. Many Companies have their own newsgroups and web support sites. They are usually monitored by company staff and can be a fast way to link to someone there who can help directly. They include:

Company	News server	Web server
Microsoft	news:msnews.microsoft.com	http://support.microsoft.com
Red Hat	news:news.redhat.com	http://www.redhat.com
Symantec	news:service.symantec.com	http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/

Microsoft's software:

Microsoft's 'Knowledge Base'. If the product is from Microsoft, search http://support.microsoft.com, which is a large collection of 'Knowledge Base' articles, troubleshooting wizard, downloads, and other self-help files at 'Support Online'. If you are referred to an ftp site with many 'Knowledge Base' articles, click on the 'INDEX.TXT' file there, to see a list of all the articles available on that topic.
Microsoft's FAQs. Look in one of Microsoft's many FAQs Frequently Asked Questions.
Microsoft's 'Web Response'. If you have a computer in the USA or Canada, you can register and make use of Microsoft's 'Standard No-Charge Web Response'. This free service allows you to leave an email message for Microsoft's Technical Support. They usually reply to you within 48 hours.

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