FAQ (NOTE: This is a work in progress, thank you for your patience)
Think of the questions your customers ask most frequently and write them here along with the answers.
Browsers
Q: How many pop-up blockers should I have?
Q: The truth about toolbars and add-ons
Q: Where did that goofy toolbar COME FROM anyway???? I didn't download it--did I?
Q: If I disable the toolbar--is that good enough?
Q: How do I get rid of that goofy toolbar?
Q: Which Internet Explorer browser for which version of Windows operating system (OS)?
Q: Firefox or Internet Explorer 7?
Q: Internet Explorer 7 or 8?
Q: I like Internet Explorer 8, but I can't game with buddies on the Zone, and it gets me booted all the time!
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Q: My Internet Explorer keeps crashing--What is causing this, and What can I do about it?
Email
Q: What are email software programs and how are they different from Webmail.
Q: What are the best email programs out there? (Outlook, Outlook Express, Eudora, Thunderbird)
Q: How do I set up my email program?
Q: Where do I find the needed account settings?
Q: What is Outlook Connector?
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Q: POP, SMTP, or MAPI?
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Hardware
Q: What is the difference between a modem & a router?
A: The modem is a direct link from your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and for one computer to get online. The router allows you create a network and to hook up more than one computer/device to your network.
Q: Should I buy BOTH a modem AND a router?
A: You can, I prefer the modem/router combo. It's better all the way around really. Less trouble for you both now and later. BUT, you can get a second hand router and modem pretty cheap. (The problem is they may not work for you, or with your ISP.)
Q: If I do need both a modem and/or router, What kind is best?
A: Personally, I like Linksys, Netgear, & Siemens (in that order). They're reasonably priced, easy to set up, easy to incrypt (for hacker tight WIFI), and they're workhorse devices. By that I mean, they have strong wireless signals and give you very little trouble. Understand that some ISPs will try to get you to buy THEIR router brand (and it usually costs more) but most of the time, you don't have to buy their brand--so don't be suckered.
D-Link is the cheaper alternative to AT&T's 2wire (though they don't broadcast that, D-Link is their stepchild device).
There're other brands that are good, but I stick with what I'm used to. I've had bad experiences with my last two 2wire modems, so I try to avoid them now.
Maintenance
Q: Is there a test that I can perform on my hard drive to test it's health?
Q: Is there a test that I can perform on my motherboard to test it's health?
Q: My machine is running too slow--what can be causing this?
Miscelaneous Ques
Q: When I buy a computer, what should I look for?
A: Software (operating system) processor power, memory capacity and amount included with machine, hard drive size.
Q: What brand is best?
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Q: Desktop or Notebook?
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MSN Zone Gaming & Gaming In General
Q: HELP! I installed a game and it told me to change my resolution, now I have nothing but a blank blue screen!!!
Q: I get booted frequently while playing games on the Zone.
Q: I can invite MSN Messenger buddies to play with me, but can't be invited--WHY?
Q: I can't even get in to play on the MSN Zone? What is UP with that?
Security
Q: Firewalls--how many do I REALLY need?
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Q: What about all those registry cleaning programs out there?
Q: What about all those programs that promise to check your computer's for free?
Q: The truth about those flashy screen-saver programs
Q: Q: My machine is running too slow--what can be causing this?
Q: How do I protect myself against Identity Theft on the Net?
Q: Where does all that spam come from? (sites you've visited and given your info to--they sold you out. OR it was gleaned by a spammer going thru the postings on a site and found your email address out there showing.)
Q: What Security programs do you recommend? A:
Q: Do I need BOTH and Antivirus AND Antispyware Program--Why?
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Software
Q: What type of Internet service should I use? (Broadband {DSL/Cable} satellite, dish)
A: It depends upon your financial and geographical situation.
Windows Messenger
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Q: I HATE Live Messenger 2009 (14.0) it's totally wack! I can't game with my buddies anymore! (Vista, XP)
Windows OS
Q: My machine is running too slow--what can be causing this?
Q: How much memory does my machine really need? (Win2K, XP, Vista, Win7)
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