Clarity is essential *read-me* info for all

[Toaster]

Hey folks,
As your moderator I advize folks when things could be improved and how to do this as easily as pratical.
Iv`e seen many posts where someone seeks help with a problem but they have to be "milked" for needed info. Please folks, we truely like to help you because it helps us all to "better" understand. So...instead of giving info after being prodded, give as much info on the first post as you possibly can.
You needn`t be afraid that your post is too long but you should be afraid of it being too short by not giving forth needed info.
So...lets give you an idea what minimum info would be and you explain further as needed and expand any seemingly unrelated info.
Your minimums should be something like:

CPU type and speed and if the system is overclocked. (most folks know when their system is "cranked")
Amount of memory installed. (main memory only)
O/S used including any variation of build.
(IE: Win95B, Win98 FE or SE, Linux etc.)
System board maker if possible and approximate age if known.
Info about the Video card such as chipset and amount of memory.
Hard disk type and model (if you are foolish enough to use compression, state so)
Power supply capacity (wattage).
"class" of system (AT or ATX)

Then give other info as needed, more info is better then too little.

Give as clear and as concise as possible the problem you are faced with and what you did to try to correct it.
Otherwise, you lead us to sheer guesswork and in all probabilities we might be WRONG which could cause loss of data and undue expense.

If you say "my computer is broken, whats wrong", my first reply would be to plug it in and retry. We have to start from the ground up with too little info to help our search.

Okie dokie?

[dondrd]

Could you elaborate on that, please?


Just kidding. 100% right!! It really doesn't help sst's when all you hear is "I wasn't doing nothin'." It start started doing this!"
I used to have a guy beat me to death with questions like "What were you doing when this happened? What have you changed in your computer lately? What have you added?" I used to think he was accusing me of being stupid but he only wanted to help and needed the details. It makes it a lot easier to troubleshoot.

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No job is too difficult for the person that doesn't have to do it.