What to do if you're having a problem...

[WeekendLazyness]

Lately, there have been a lot of silly threads in the Tech Annex that can be answered with a simple search. For example, a bad thread would be one asking about how to do port forwarding. This is a bad thread because there are hundreds of websites out there that explain how to do it, from the manufacturer's site to sites that have original guides on lots of models. A good thread would be one like The_Maker started recently. He was having some troubles with pixels on his LCD display misbehaving, and was wondering if anyone had any solutions. The solution that worked was the one that I offered, and I offered it only because of all the reading I had done in the past about different display technologies. You probably wouldn't be able to find an answer like that with a quick Google search.

So to sum it up, before you make a new thread, make sure you're issues haven't already been answered elsewhere. Here's a quick guide:
-For information about what a certain technology is and its history (e.g. WiFi), try Wikipedia.
http://www.wikipedia.org
-For information about how to do something (e.g. set a static IP on your router), try Google.
http://www.google.com
-For information about how a certain technolgy works (e.g. Ethernet networking), try HowStuffWorks.
http://www.howstuffworks.com
-For an in depth information about computer hardware (e.g. hard drive technologies), try The PC Guide.
http://www.pcguide.com/

If these sites don't help, or you still have questions, that's when it's appropriate to post a new thread.

[Basan]

Having our lil' day of 'ranting attitude' are we? :_poke: Although somewhat agreeing with ya, not always you'll be able to find a solution for your tech' problem(s) there because you wouldn't even know how to call it/look for it. And just not to mention the spin-off 'death' that the TA section would suffer if that was an obligatory rule to all who frequent the forums... But these were just my :2cents: for it, though. ;)

[WeekendLazyness]

Having our lil' day of 'ranting attitude' are we? :_poke: Although somewhat agreeing with ya, not always you'll be able to find a solution for your tech' problem(s) there because you wouldn't even know how to call it/look for it.If these sites don't help, or you still have questions, that's when it's appropriate to post a new thread.

I'm just tired of threads that have questions like "how will SpeedBooster affect the connection speed of my wireless lan?"

[UED77]

This needs to be stickied.

Also, for those who have trouble with a specific product: oftentimes, the manufacturer's website features a searchable knowledgebase, a forum, or any other type of tech support capability. If none of them are helpful, a search for the manufacturer and a keyword such as "forum" might reveal third-party unofficial forums dedicated to products of that manufacturer. It is better to ask questions there than in a general forum like Warboards.

UED77

[Neo]

I would've stuck up more in depth links, like portforward.com, or blizzard's support site, important downloads (like DirectX, major driver download sites, etc...)

Besides, if everyone used google, we wouldn't need a Tech Annex =P

I was just considering setting up a new sticky with a multitude of important links to various things related to computers, gaming, and technical problems.

-Neo

[WeekendLazyness]

I was just considering setting up a new sticky with a multitude of important links to various things related to computers, gaming, and technical problems.
-NeoI hope you do. I can help you compile a list if you want.

[Neo]

Well keep it in mind then, I've been gathering a few links here and there.

-Neo

[Shortyland05]

sometimes its just better to have human help rather than a whole page of writitn that you have to go thru to find a small piece of writin to answer you question.

[pixels]

just google it. if google doesnt have an answer, rephrase what youve googled.