Computer Help For the Hopelessly Lost

Or...just hopeless.

Some of the things you hoped you'd never have to learn about.

Hey, we all know computers are one of mankinds greatest inventions. We also know they are one of our greatest sources of frustration. But really folks, they aren't just nasty things built simply to make us all feel stupid and incompetent. Now that you have a computer (or access to one) it's in your best interest to learn how to use it wisely.

A little knowledge can be a terrible thing, but a little common sense is your best friend. Remember those little books that came with your computer? You know, the ones you stuck in the closet with the receipts, old bills, and the Christmas present you got from uncle Frank? Well pull 'em out!!! Blow the dust off and you might realize you're finally ready to read them :)

I know that reading instruction manuals is right up there with a getting a root canal on your list of things you want to do, but sooner or later you have no choice. Sounds kind of simple, but it's always better to know how things work BEFORE things start to go drastically wrong. Besides, this constantly overlooked fact doesn't even address the fact that most computer-related problems are caused by the USER.

First on your list of things to learn is what type of hardware is living in that box you call your computer. Hardware is the cool stuff that allows your computer to be more than just a big data bank. A sound card controls and creates the nifty sounds that make the computer experience more fun and creative. Your modem has helped you find me by helping you access your local ISP (Internet Service Provider) and your browser (eg. Internet Explorer or Netscape). It gives you a telephone connection to wherever you want (even voice mail or internet phone if it's capable or has the right software. Your video card deals with those pretty little pictures you're looking at right now. Now, I won't bother to mention your floppy drive or CD-rom, since you should have some clue what they do but the books will actually tell you how they work. Last, but not least, we have your hard drive. The hard drive (also called the hard disk) holds all the programs and file you keep in long term memory,

Ok, so you've heard some (or all) of this before. If you knew it all would you be searching for computer help? I don't claim to know it all but (like you) am constantly searching for answers to my computer problems and questions. It's a little too pricey, at least for me, to run to my nearest computer shop to fix all my computer problems. There comes a point in a computers life (like after the warranty expires) when it becomes cheaper to experiment and make a few errors than to take the old computer in for a tune-up.

Can't get the sound working right on that old 486? I know I tried everything but mouth to mouth on a computer once (including that trip for the tune-up) when popping a $15 sound card in solved the entire problem! I'm not saying it was a snap, just a cheaper (and more educational) fix than visiting my local techie.

Want to know what a Com Port is? Read the manual! Want to know what IRQ is used by your modem, mouse, or Cd-rom? Read the manual! These are essentials of keeping track of what's going on inside that mysterious little box you bought. By the way conflicts in IRQ's and Com Ports is one of the most common sources of the problems experienced by computer users.

It sounds simple when the box tells you that their device is Plug and Play and installs itself. The reality is that Plug and Play is an iffy proposition at best, and only gives you a chance that things will go smoothly. If Plug and Play doesn't work like it should it can be a nightmare, since the manuals that come with Plug and Play hardware don't always contain the directions on how to manually configure the device anymore. Configuring hardware is kind of like getting 20 children to get along and share in a sandbox, it's possible, but nobody ever said it was easy!

Don't give up yet...All is not lost

Feel like you've made a $1,500 mistake yet? It's really not that hard, kind of like owning a car. You take it to a mechanic if you don't feel like fixing it yourself (or break it by dropping a wrench into the intake TRYING to fix it), or you buy a manual and learn how it works so you can get it running the way YOU want it to.

Am I boring you yet? Well I'll give you a little rest and give you a few links to help you along a little more so that you can be on your merry way into the wild world of computing. Wander a little but come back! On my next page I've got some neat little downloadable sounds to make your computer make some of those pretty noises I was talking about. Further on down the road (two whole pages from here) you'll also get to run into some FUN sites, full of games and tools to make your computing journey more entertaining (like you're gonna leave without checking those sites first :)

• Microsoft - So the name Microsoft makes you cringe! I know, I know...but really folks how can you operate in a Windows environment WITHOUT stopping here? Sure some people say that their software and operating systems are sometimes buggy, but here's where they put their help. This site would take a lifetime to go through thoroughly but it has a search feature that makes it fairly easy find what you want. Come prepared to accept cookies if you want to get somewhere though. Updated drivers, patches for those nasty software bugs, help and reference guides, are all to be found here.
• PC World -the name says it all. This is the site for one of personal computings' biggest magazines. If there is something you really need to know and it's not in those lovely little manuals, it might very well be here. This site also offers free downloads of many computer essentials (utilities) to make it easier, and more fun, to use your computer.
• Rocket Download - A site where everything's free, and everything's made in EXE format (self- extracting and installing) for those who don't know how (or want to be bothered with learning) to use a ZIP utlilty. Games, educational toys, utilities, and business software here. Most are demos or trial versions. Biggest drawback of this site is that it's so busy you might not be able to download during peak hours.
• CNET - If you have a computer and have no idea what's out there, or how to use it, this is your spot. If you love their TV show you need to stop by and find a listing of current as well as archive topics. This site compares software, browsers, ISP's, and more, as well as giving you the scoop on what's hot (and not) in computing today. Links here lead you to all their cool sites, such as download.com, gamecenter.com, and computer.com (where they rate prices and features of most computers currently on the market). If you need it quick and you need it in plain and simple terms, this is a good spot to start.
• The Great Beyond - I know...you're disappointed that I made a plug for my other site but it isn't half bad ya know. Everybody had to start somewhere and this was my first page.

I know you didn't come here for a lecture. The fact is that many people really only purchase computers for their productivity, educational benefits, or (gasp!), for their ability to enable them to play some awesome games. We all need get things done more efficiently and to unwind in this busy, hectic world, and here the computer can be a lifesaver. Where else could we find something that can enable us to get our job-related duties done more quickly and easily, provide educational reference for students, and allow us to blow everything up when the world gets a little too crazy?

Now it's time to have some fun! You've been a good computer student so it's time to show you where some of the fun stuff is :) At the link below you'll find several sources for entertainment, as well as productivity software. Some may be repeats of what you may have found wandering through my first list, however, the best sites DO have it all. Now go to it and have some fun for a while!