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| Thread ID: 46728 | 2004-07-03 08:28:00 | FAQ. Draft for picking over/on. | Murray P (44) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 249541 | 2004-07-03 23:56:00 | It is looking good Murray :) I do have a few comments tho: Break it down into a smaller FAQ (as already suggested). One for how to find out about your computer, and another one on tips how to ask a smart question. Each Windows OS will have a slightly different layout when it comes to finding information. Instructions need to be provided for each, or a generic way of calling up a summary either through Windows Help > System Information (or whatever the path or keywords are) or by using Start > Run > msinfo.exe. >What is your basic hardware configuration? >If you can include, Make and model of the computer, year of manufacture, the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and it’s speed,hard drive size (make and model would be nice too) and how much free space you have left, amount of installed memory (RAM), CD ROM /DVD drive make and if possible model, video card model (is it onboard) and monitor (if the issue is related to your display, poor playing of games/picture editing), sound card (is it onboard? see previous for video/monitor), USB connections/ports, printer, scanner as applicable. Now this might be information overload for the already stressed out newbie and I can see people trying to gather all this info just so they can ask why their homepage was hijacked. Using terms as 'onboard' video/sound means nothing to most people. Perhaps simplify this section a bit more? :) > A new tool bar or search bar for Internet Explorer (IE) can be problematic for example, generally you should not install them. Yes, well all know this, but I don't think a FAQ on how to gather information or tips on how to write a smart question needs to actually comment on this. You might as well tell them to use an alternative browser while you are at it :D >Some basic information can be found quickly in most Windows versions in Start > Settings > Control Panel. Double click the icon for the process, hardware device or service you are wanting to identify. For example, System > General tab, will give you your Windows version with SP, who it is registered to and the registration number, what CPU model and speed your are running and how much RAM you have installed. If you hop along to the Hardware or Device Manager tab ... Again, this is Windows Version specific and will need to cater for Win95 upwards. As for my previous comments on using Help or perhaps msinfo.exe (I am presuming this tool is present in all versions of Windows??) >*For Linux information see <FAQ # 80: How To In Linux> [[Do we need to put a specific Linux basic info gather article here folks?? who would like to write it]] I imagine that most people running Linux will have a fair idea what sits in their box :p. How to extract information for specific issues such as modem/networking will need to be done via command line using standard Linux commands, as each Distro and Desktop Environment can very different ways of using GUI's for this. This is probably best left to be asked/instructed how to in each individuals post. :) >What does OT in a post topic mean? This is covered in "The Rules" sticky by Bruce. >What does the little padlock mean, I hear you ask? >It is a locked thread, you cannot post to it for reasons that will probably become obvious if you bother to read it. It usually means that someone has or several of them have been naughty enough to have the thread locked. Please let it not be you. >Now, have happy and productive posting and stop hitting the poor machine it really is so silly, if you could see yourself now. Now call me a stick-in-the-mud, but I prefer FAQ's to be slightly more formal with the language and content, although a bit of humour never goes astray. Maybe stick to essential info only? :) All the above comments are only my opinion, feel free to ignore them - I won't be offended. :) Jen |
Jen C (20) | ||
| 249542 | 2004-07-04 01:34:00 | > No gaurantees either way ATM. Well after a little investigation one could assume the new moderator is Chilling_Silence/Silently (they both spell "gaurantees" in that special way). What an interesting discovery. > Unusual comments from a noobie,which leads me to think that these comments are made by a former disgruntled member. Obviously starting off,where he left off. Interesting theory you've got going there. |
acorn (5827) | ||
| 249543 | 2004-07-04 02:39:00 | > Well after a little investigation one could assume > the new moderator is Chilling_Silence/Silently (they > both spell "gaurantees" in that special way). What an > interesting discovery. Means nothing acorn, it is a very common misspelling. Look Here (www.esldesk.com) under G for gaffe. Cheers Billy 8-{) :) |
Billy T (70) | ||
| 249544 | 2004-07-04 03:47:00 | I'll rewrite the FAQ to be a briefer sticky or whatever it turns out to be. And either split the FAQ into 2 (or is that 3) or segment it into heading/chapters so that people can cruise it without having to load another FAQ (which would be better, separate or headings?). I'll need some help re different windows versions msconfig. Are they all Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > and/or Start > Run type msconfig? What are the System or Device Manager of each version? (I'm just trying to save some research time here, for win95 & 98 I go by memory, I'll get writing and if no kind soul has posted by the time I get to it). I have win 2k Pro for eg which, MS in their wisdom decided to denude of msconfig, hence the suggestion diagnostic utilities or Control Panel, besides being a one stop shop for H & S info (I loaded the 98 ver of config, but would not expect noob's or people asking for help to do that or could we link to a file as per the diagnostic utilities?). Point taken re Linux Jen, being a noob myself, most of the issues are specific, maybe a few links? BTW, a couple of people are convinced that I'm an anal beureuxcrat while others think it is too informal, once I get my personalities in some order and chatting amiably together I'd like to run with something that is not too stilted. A link to the PF1 Search page would be helpfull? just in case someone actually uses it (there is the nub of the issue right there :_| Thanks all for your ideas. Once this is done I see there is an opening for a megalomaniacal despote in the middle east, it'll be s doddle :D Cheers Murray P |
Murray P (44) | ||
| 249545 | 2004-07-04 05:16:00 | Just one small point... If someone turns up asking for help in this forum,and haven't adhered to this rule, will they be turned away? or will they get the help they want anyway? If the former is the case,what a sad day for PF1. If the latter is the case,what a waste of time this thread is. Hook |
Capt.Hook (5586) | ||
| 249546 | 2004-07-04 05:28:00 | I think you have missed the point Hooky. This thread, and proposed FAQ, is intended to help new PC users and those new to PF1. It is not intended to benefit those who answer questions, because they will answer regardless. The point is that those who need help may get that help sooner and better focussed. Ergo, the thread is not a waste of time. Cheers Billy 8-{) |
Billy T (70) | ||
| 249547 | 2004-07-04 06:04:00 | Ouch! I won't be able to sit down for a week after that verbal caning! | acorn (5827) | ||
| 249548 | 2004-07-04 08:40:00 | > If someone turns up asking for help in this forum,and haven't adhered to > this rule, will they be turned away? No, they are not Rules that's not my intention anyway. I see them as Guidelines only. As BT says they are for help purposes not to prescribe. or will they get the help they want anyway? Yup > If the former is the case,what a sad day for PF1. Yes it would be. > If the latter is the case,what a waste of time this thread is. Not to me. In the hopes that it will help some at least. Fruitless task perhaps but IMO worth it. Pissing into the wind is a hobby of mine so, no harm done ;) > Hook Thanks Hookie, all comments are welcome. Cheers Murray P |
Murray P (44) | ||
| 249549 | 2004-07-04 08:50:00 | > > If the latter is the case,what a waste of time > this thread is. Sorry about that,definitely the wrong choice of words. Wasn't knocking your effort there Murray, Hook |
Capt.Hook (5586) | ||
| 249550 | 2004-07-04 10:01:00 | No offence taken ;) Without comment we have no chance of getting anywhere. If I want to throw things in the air and see how they come down it's no good being all sensitive and cry-baby when it lands in my face with a splat, is it! Not to say I wont argue points though ;) Cheers Murray P |
Murray P (44) | ||
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