PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE POSTING

[Rik]

In order to help you as quickly as possible, the more information you include in your post, the better. This avoids your question being answered by a list of questions in return!

For software problems, as a minimum, please list:

OS version, including patches (the latest date, we don't ask for a complete list!)
Processor and speed
The amount, and type, of RAM you have fitted
What background apps you have running, eg which anti-virus, firewall etc
How much free hard disk space you have
The exact nature of the problem, how and where it manifests, eg if it occurs in a particular app, please give the name and version of that app

I can't guarantee that we won't still ask questions, but at least we will have the basics to take a crack at.

With hardware issues, please indicate:

The exact symptoms you are experiencing, eg if the computer won't start up, are there any beeps being emitted when you turn the power on, do the fans spin, are any diagnostic LEDs showing on the motherboard.

List your hardware in as much detail as possible, eg make and model of motherboard, chipset if known; make, model and speed of processor; make, quantity and speed of RAM - also, if you know it - how it's configured.

Don't worry, if we need more information, we'll ask, but the more you tell us, the quicker we can help.

Note: This is my first crack at the list of questions. If anyone can think of any more, please add them to the thread. Thanks.

[AvengerUK]

MSInfo may also be usefull. It displays drivers/running processes etc - which is always usefull if you have any type of problem.

start --> run --> msinfo --> export/save

[RobMc]

That's already quite a big list. If it's suggested that this is the info needed before posting, it would put off a lot of people from asking a question in the first place. Sure a lot of the time we will ask for more info before being able to help, but I think it would be better for people to state what their problem is and then be asked for more specific details that might help in sorting out that particular problem. Also we should explain, perhaps in a sticky, how this information can be found. If we are not careful, this forum could be filled up very quickly with  reams of technical data about peoples pcs

Rob.

[Rik]

I understand what you're saying, Rob, and this is very much up for discussion.

What I'm trying to avoid, in posting this as a sticky, is the situation where someone needs help in a hurry, another member gets to the message after a couple of hours and the first thing they have to do is to post back a list of questions. I know I've done that so many times over the years that I'm looking to give guidance, particularly to novice posters, on the kind of things that will help others tackle the problem. It's a case of finding the right balance somehow.

[jupiter]

How about including something like 'as exactly as possible what you were doing when the problem appeared and what screen messages did you get'. This would apply to both hardware and software problems. 

It isn't precisely the same as the existing entries for 'exact nature of problem' and 'exact symptoms'.  But I have found it the most useful first question to ask when someone fouls up a computer here.  This is because it gets to the 'what were you trying to do when it happened' issue and so it is a user centred question.  It may also allow the adviser to try it themselves as a way of reproducing the problem.

[Rik]

Keep them coming, this is a WIP!

[mrapoc]

How to dxdiag:

Start > Run > Dxdiag > Run all tests > Save all information > Upload file/paste results  8)

Diagnostic programs/benchmarking to have a look at:

PcMark05, 3dmark05, 3dmark06 Good to see if your system is underperforming using these benchies

SiSoft Sandra

Aquamark3

[CaptainSlow]

The right kind of personal profile could contain all the commonly needed data, if the kit in question is "off profile" the user could just say that.

All anyone here needs to do is to make sure their "kit profile" is current, then ask away. members could look at it as need for more info arises.

Kit Profile should only be available to members who are logged in of course.

Or is this just far too simple to be worth considering! 

[Rik]

It's certainly worth a thought, Cap, though the sigs might get a bit large.

I'll have to go and visit a 'foreign' machine to see what shows to guests, the system knows me too well!