Post your most valuable computer knowledge here. Besides "ask Anandtech"

[qacwac]

Hey fellow At'ers. I know there are some computer geniusies here and just about everybody knows something.

So for the general good of all here please share your wisdom.

Give us technical, overclocking, upgrading, software, whatever kind of information you think others would benefit from.

And thanks to all you computer savy posters.

 

[snow patrol]

The most useful piece of knowledge I've picked up over the past year or so:

when in doubt, ask on Anandtech

 

[urbantechie]

Don't ask on Anandtech if you are smart, you become dumb if you do ask for help

 

[Pretender]

If you have a personal question: ask on anandtech
If you have a hardware question: ask on anandtech
If you have a software question: ask on anandtech

that's what I've learned, and I haven't been the same since.

 

[snow patrol]

LOL Pretender, you should learn to be more concise, then perhaps you'd have beaten me to it

 

[Rastus]

When someone asks for advise on how to build a computer, tell them to get a compaq or dell or gateway. That way, they'll leave you alone after they get one.

 

[Dameon]

Never build computers for family members you don't live with or close friends. You will learn to hate that decision and it will haunt you.

 

[Gatsby]

Don't say you know stuff about copmuter / check all physical plugs into and out of the computer.

Gatsby

 

[ltk007]

Use Win2k

 

[nekulturny]

if you break it, blame it on the operating system. then ask on anandtech

 

[nateholtrop]

Call tech support.


Nate

 

[qacwac]

This is all good.

Any more technical stuff.

For instance I would say,

"Buy a CD-RW drive and back up anything important or if you're on a 56K modem create a disc of backed up downloads that are large and would be a pain to redownload.

Or research. Research everything before you buy. (except in those rare mispricing instances)

Keeping them coming.

 

[jhu]

it's very difficult to make your own cpu because those transistors are so small

 

[IamDavid]

Never do anything without backing up first. Powerquest Drive Image Pro4 has saved me many a times.

 

[Killbat]

Don't apply flat security settings to all items on Win2k's system partition. :Q We're talking major installer/user profile problems here!

 

[nicene]

yeah, i gotta agree with everyone here: don't ever let people know that you know stuff about computers. you'll be working tech. support all the time. not only do the not offer money, they expect you to work on stuff whenever it's convenient to them

 

[Mday]

ask girlfriday, she's a computer genius =)

 

[BiggieN]

the huge button in front turns off the computer if you hold it down for 8 seconds.

 

[BiggieN]

yeah...any tech support you need, PM GirlFriday.

 

[Rendus]

Indeed, do not let your neighbors know you're a geek. And do NOT let your family know that either.

My biggest piece of advice doesn't really apply here, but: Don't be a jerk to the tech support rep you have on the phone. You want them to help you? Shut up and listen. Don't like the tech you got? Politely make something up about how you have to go, and call back. (Being rude to the tech often makes it into you case notes, in which case everyone who you talk to will have a head's up on what type of customer you are.)

 

[DAM]

beer and keyboards dont misx.





dam(he he pun)

 

[Kitros]

Shop smart, shop S-MART.

 

[Windogg]

EDITED

 

[Kitros]

CENSORED

 

[qacwac]

Please keep the comments COMPUTER related.

I would really appreciate it.