How to Get FREE Computer Support

Why pay for computer support when you might be able to get it for free?

There's some little known secrets in the computer industry, one of which is many people don't know IF they have computer support, or where to get it.

As I have supported real estate agents through the years, I've come to figure out some quick ways to determine if you can get some free computer support.

First, check with the maker of your computer maker. Most manufacturers like DELL and HP generally provide a default, limited services warranty for 1 year. Which means you can call them up and they can try to resolve it over the phone.

If you didn't upgrade to one of their other warranty products, and they CAN'T solve it over the phone, then you're often left with the option of sending it into them for processing, and then they either send it back fixed, or they send you a new one - not exactly ideal if you need a computer for the 2-4 weeks it takes them to get it back to you!

Lesson Learned - Either spring for the Warranty Upgrade upfront, for however long you plan to own the computer ( I recommend 2-3 years max.), or simply take it to Geek Squad or similar, reliable computer repair company and pay them to to do it.

NOTE - If you bought you DELL or similar at a store like Best Buy, then Dell will generally NOT support the computer, and you'll have to navigate your way through their help department and/or bring the computer in for their team to fix - maybe a little faster because of no shipping time - but still not ideal. If you want Dell support, you have to purchase directly from Dell, in most cases.

Secondly, you should keep in mind that if your computer problem is related to a Microsoft product such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Excel, or Microsoft Power Point, then here is how support is normally handled:

1. If you bought the software pre-installed on your computer, the manufacturer is normally charged with supporting the Microsoft software.

2. If you bought the software SEPARATE from your computer, then you probably will have to contact Microsoft direct.

I recently got some great help from Microsoft support when my Outlook acted up. Just go to http://support.microsoft.com/ and click your way through to the product you need help with. I choose the CHAT option, and it puts you in a queue right away and they people I dealt with were very helpful and figured it out. If you need, you can always call them, but they will probably need you to be near you computer, and internet access preferred.

NOTE - make sure you have your software license key available, if possible. The other way Microsoft is making sure you have a "valid" version of their software is by requiring you to install the "Windows Validation Tool" which installs fairly quickly now.

Finally, as a real estate agent, dealing with computer problems should be minimized as much as possible. Watch your time carefully, and weigh your options. I recommend taking your computer to a local repair store for fastest service and to minimize down time. Yes, it will cost you certain amount of money, but you'll more than make it up by sending that time making SALES.

Useful Links

http://support.dell.com/support/
www.hp.com - great support for both computers and printers
http://support.microsoft.com/