Ron Schenone

Have A Computer Problem? Try Posting It In A Forum

Posted by on May 10, 2008 | 11 Comments

If you belong to any of the online forums, or even visit any of the tech blogs, you may have noticed comments from visitors that are actually advocates for some of the major OEM’s. With the Internet being the most popular way for some of us to vent our anger when we have a problem, more and more companies are employing people who actually surf the Internet looking for problems and providing assistance.

I have noticed that during the past year or so, more and more support is being offered online in the forums or blogs, than has previously been offered. For the most part, tech support has always been a one on one with the customer either calling or emailing  a company. Now with the Internet, people are obtaining help and assistance for all to see. This makes good PR when everyone can actually view a representative from a company actually helping a client online.

So what do you think? Have you been helped online?

Comments welcome.

[tags]help, tech, support, forums, blog, blogs, forums, representatives, pr, assistance,  [/tags]

  • http://www.smallbiztechtalk.com/blog Small Biz Tech Talk Blog

    While this seems like a very helpful idea, I would definitely be wary of help received through forums online, particularly when it comes to sophisticated computer or technical problems. The fact is, anyone that is knowledgeable enough and skilled enough to solve a computer problem – especially a complex one – knows how valuable this skill is and is typically either doing it for a living or sees it as a valuable service that typically requires a long-term relationship with a client/problem-haver to do well and also thoroughly, not to mention they know the potential legal issues that could ensue if they suggest a solution to a forum-goer and it is incomplete or causes damage. While forums are certainly a great place to share technical knowledge and seek advice for simple problems, those that use this as a service need to make sure they take any information they get with a grain of salt, because it’s rare that those dispensing the advice know what they are talking about (if they know how much their expertise is worth). The best advice is to seek professional IT support in the form of an experienced IT consulting firm when you have a complex problem (or one that you need solved permanently and thoroughly)!

  • http://www.goretsky.com/ Aryeh Goretsky

    Hello,

    Visitors to Lockergnome’s blogs might not be aware that Chris Pirillo also operates a support web forum, Lockergnome’s Problem Solvers. The forum is located at http://help.lockergnome.com/general/ and is filled with friendly, helpful people.

    Regards,

    Aryeh Goretsky

  • Don Naphen

    Had a problem with a corrupt driver on my internal DVD ROM/burner on the (then) new Gateway Ron. Fortunately, I had been making image backups during the cleanup process of getting rid of the bloated and useless bundled software. I did some searching in various blogs and saw quite a few others with the same problem. An email to Gateway tech support got me about a 6 page response, listing many possible fixes! Unfortunately, the one thing I needed … THE DRIVER … was not included in the response! LOL. Yes, many avenues are available for those looking for help on just about any subject. In my case, a “restore” to last good backup was in order, and then it was a matter of thinking things out before doing massive deletes of crappola.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hello Aryeh,
    Thanks for the reminder. I do post this link to LG on occasion.

    Hi Don,
    Thanks for the comments and for sharing you experience with us. It is appreciated.

    Have a great weekend to you both, Ron

  • NewJohnny

    The vast majority of my solutions come from random forum posts. I know enough to spot bad advice too (“try formatting the hard drive”). The biggest hold back for this method is forum registration. I have solved countless little problems that I would love to share with forum users (and Google searchers) but I can’t register on hundreds of forums.

  • HarryH

    The really tough issues I seem to encounter result in few forum answers. I certainly have tried to use them, but definitive answers are few and far between. As one person stated, many forums require a login ID or even $$ to search answers which can be impractical. As a quasi-expert, I am amazed at some answers ‘reinstall Windows’ and try again. But clearly there are some issues that demand a more detailed understanding of Windows beyond my skills. BTW, I ran Win98 for many years (7 plus) without ever reinstalling Windows. I waited on XP until SP2 and only installed that when much software upgrades were no longer available for W98. I suspect that Win7 will be out before I ever consider Vista.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hello HarryH,
    Good point[s]. I also have seen the reinstall fanatics at work. Reinstalling is a last resort when nothing else seems to work. I think a quite a few of us are waiting for Win7. :-)

  • medlynsell

    From this blog:

    USA faced the threat of a Russian invasion on two fronts today as the Kremlin continued to ignore international pressure for a ceasefire. Video is here:
    http://xxxxxxxxxxxx.blogspot.com

    Is it fake video or not? I tryed to instal that codec but noway…. still cant see it. Sorry if i posted in wrong forum…

    Maria Medly

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hello medlynsell,
    Just a guess, but the download for the link contains the word ‘porn’ in it. I’d say it is a bad site.

  • unladloma

    iF YOU HAVE SOME GREAT SHOPS OR SERVICES PLEASE SEND IN pm OR POST HERE

  • CeabsLafkesee

    Good Day

    Today turn PC and look that my ICQ client not available, It is very bad. :(
    When I login always received message from contact 1 with Notify
    * * * * * * ** * * * *
    1:
    =============================
    System Message
    =============================
    ICQ version 5.1 is no longer supported. Download a free authorized ICQ version from ICQ’s official website.

    You have this problem?

    Please advise I can’t send message to my Son :(