Before you post about a problem

Thanks. The more complete and understandable the post, the faster you will get help---which is what BC is really all about.
John

It's not just here, I also volunteer at another popular Q&A site but when people go to ask me a question, they seem to completely ignore the message that comes up:

"In order for me to help you promptly, please provide me with the following information:
Brand of computer
Model of computer
Service or support tag
Version of XP
Current service Pack

If the problem is with a device, in addition to the above, please answer the following:
Type of device
Make of device
Model# of device
Serial# of device

Please describe your problem in complete detail, in this case, there is no such thing as 'too much information'.

Thank you, your co-operation is appreciated,

Jeffrey"

Anyway, my auto request is ignored more than it is followed.

Hmm... I'm wondering if forums scripts like the one here and others could be modded or hacked to ask for
the requested info then autopaste it in their message?

Just a random idea,

Jeff

[I] I just joined and decided to go here first, even before introducing myself as a new member in the introduction forum. Am I really the only one to head here first and read what you two are discussing?? [COLOR=purple][FONT=Times]

Well, apparently this is the first door i open when joining this forum as well Otter56.
The conversations are rather interesting.
Well, i'll go introduce my self now.

Plz hlp!!!!. Evr time I go on the net it hppns!!!!! Now it doen't work at all!!!!!!!
Must have it fixed in next hour 'cause my assignments due/bus is leaving/I'm late for work/there's something on TV!!!!!! Why is noone helping me?!!!!!!

These kinds of titles, although not very helpful, do provide comic relief.

Maybe jgweed's helpful post needs to be more direct and succinct, and in very large red letters because I don't think it is being read by a lot of posters. I'm getting really tired of having to ask for basic information.

Rimmer,
It doesn't matter how "direct and succinct" it is, if nobody reads it, which I think is the problem most of the time.
Instead of asking the same questions, over and over, refer them to this post.
It would save some typing.

It's often a moment of panic which brings helpless-feeling people to a forum, a click from a google search and they arrive, and when they arrive with jumbled brains, they are confronted with a lot of instructions starting with an entire legal document as to what they agree to by registering to this forum as well as a further set of rules as to what may be posted and what may not be posted.

Would it not be advisable, to consider the first post of each thread as the beginning of a dialogue? We are not copy-paste robots, but a species based on communication, and there is time enough within the first post to ask questions and link to sets of instructions for those who are overwhelmed and don't always make it to the right instructions right from the start.

Zllio

We're here to help others. It's the "Spirit of the Online Communities".
And, in order to be a success, we've gotta do what it takes to keep people coming here.

Although we've got plenty of canned responses - each person's problem is unique. So, in most cases, each response must be custom crafted - not only for the problem, but also for the perceived experience of the user. While I may be able to tell one person to just look for errors in Event Viewer - another will require detailed instructions just to get to Event Viewer.

I have a personal theory that we're not here to just fix computer problems - rather it's our duty to help educate users so they can better fix their own problems. Although it's more difficult this way in the short term, in the long run it makes for users who are better able to manage their systems.

Completely agree, with your post, usasma. When members say, they are Novices,this means they are asking for simple steps, to achieve a solution to their problem.Some Techies take this into account,and supply simple steps,while others just say 'Run this or Run That"or throw a couple of links in and gone.I think this is counter productive.
To get replies like,just go into services and kill this,or run Autoruns,or how to decipher Event viewer for example. We would like to know, how to get in there, in the first place. End of rant.

Edited by DSTM, 26 November 2008 - 03:22 PM.

Thanks to this site and to all people behind this site.
God bless

Edited by mycomputer11, 04 January 2009 - 08:52 AM.

So I'm just wondering if maybe it's possible that when a new member signs up, and then perhaps once every 10 posts for their first 100 posts, they are given a mandatory confirmation window that forces them to read and be tested on the forum rules before they can continue on? They would be given "read only" rights until they pass the forum rules test, then at that point they're given limited rights until they're granted full access.

Haha!! I know that's a bit outrageous, but it sure would help.

Sorry Eric,
It's just not possible to do such.

trying remove completely sytem security

Hello dakotaman49, welcomce to Bleeping Computer.

In order for us to help you please start a new topic in the AntiVirus, Firewall and Privacy Products and Protection Methods forum.
Include as many details as you can-including the following:

What security system are you trying to remove?
What steps have you taken to try to remove it?
Are you getting any error messages when trying to remove?
What does or does not happen during the uninstall process?
Are you having issues with the security program that made you decide to remove it?

After posting, someone will assist you.

Must admit that I have at times answered the poster with the canned reply, feel free to use it too:


"Hi, I am sorry that this post is in longhand English but if you would care to place my reply in the given link I am sure all will become more understandable to you."

This seems to to be a good place to get general directions. I have a 1tb internal hard drive that my computer all of a sudden cannot see anymore. It's been working fine for about a year. Can you guys point me in the right direction?

Mitch E. Try posting here. You'll get a response much faster.

Hope this helps,

Thank you, that was exactly the type of direction I was looking for.