Hardware Analysis Community Forums http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/27071/ 2008-08-28T07:57:09-05:00 http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/27071/ http://media.hardwareanalysis.com/halogo.gif text/html 2004-05-20T14:48:01-05:00 Henry Martin http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/27071/?l=1#0 Before you post your problem, use the forum search option at the top right of the screen and see if anyone has had a similar problem.<br /> <br /> When starting a new thread asking for help, it is important that you give enough information about your problem in order for others to help you in a timely manner. <br /> <br /> As a rule of thumb, you should always give your general computer specifications (such as how much RAM you have, what CPU you have, what your video card is, etc.). It is also very important to include what you did before the problem started to occur. It is often the case that a user unknowingly did something harmful to their computer and doesn't tell the people trying to help them, because they don't realize that what they did was harmful. Listing what drivers you are using is also very helpful, especially in video card problems. If you have done anything to try and solve the problem, it is <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.crucial.com/">Crucial</a> that you list that as well. If your problem deals with overheating at all, it is very important that you list what you are currently doing to cool your system.<br /> <br /> Here is an example of a good problem write-up:<br /> <br /> “I am having problems with my new video card, an ATI Radeon 9200. Before I bought this card, I had an Nvidia Geforce 4 MX 440. I took the Nvidia card out and inserted the 9200 in without a hitch. I installed the new drivers from the CD that came with the card (Catalyst 3.8). When I turn on the computer, the screen is messed up. I am using Windows XP Home.<br /> <br /> Here are my computer specs:<br /> <br /> AMD Athlon XP 2400+<br /> 256 MB PC2700 DDR<br /> ASUS A7N8X-X <br /> Radeon 9200<br /> Western Digital 120 GB HDD<br /> <br /> Thank you for your help.”<br /> <br /> So, in review, when posting a problem, you need to include this information:<br /> <br /> -Your current computer specifications<br /> <br /> -Your Operating System<br /> <br /> -What you did (if anything) before the problem began<br /> <br /> -Your current system drivers<br /> <br /> -What you have done to try to solve the problem<br /> <br /> -Any information specific to your problem (such as what cooling setup you are using in an overheating problem)<br /> <br /> Remember, it is better to post too much information than too little, especially if you have no clue as to what the problem is.<br /> <br /> If you follow these basic guidelines, it will be much faster and easier for your problem to be solved.<br />