TechFilter: I'm part of a medium-sized IT support company and we're looking at some new helpdesk/workflow management software. What advice can you give on your setup or software you are currently working with? [more inside]
posted by de1mar on Oct 14, 2009 - 8 answers

My computer can't find its NIC, any ideas? [more inside]
posted by Squid Voltaire on Aug 11, 2009 - 13 answers

I have an external usb drive running off my Windows 7 computer. It keeps switching back to Read-Only, so when I try to send files to it, it merely appends a file and adds a number to its name, instead of re-writing the entire file. I've tried to change it back, but it does not stay changed. The minute I refresh the page, the read-only status comes back! Is there some setting I'm missing? Is there something in Windows 7 that's causing this to happen?
posted by noir on Feb 11, 2009 - 2 answers

Mac OS X / Microsoft Office 2004 (Excel) crash and failed file recovery has left excel in an endless loop of restore and crash. Can anyone help me to find and delete the (unwanted) auto-saved excel sheet that is causing this problem? [more inside]
posted by urban greeting on Dec 4, 2008 - 3 answers

Is there a good ticket/support/bug management system that builds a queue out of incoming emails? [more inside]
posted by c:\awesome on Jul 3, 2008 - 16 answers

How can I increase the range of my brand new Linksys WRT600N wireless router so that my wife's Dell Inspiron 1505 gets a better signal? My former router, a 3 year old Linksys model (WRT54G) seemed to send a much better signal, and I bought this new router thinking I'd see improvements a-plenty, but noooooo, and documentation is sorely lacking. Help! I really don't want to go back to the WRT54G, since surely this new router is more capable when set up properly, right? [more inside]
posted by newfers on Jun 22, 2008 - 15 answers

Why does my Windows XP machine freeze every half an hour? [more inside]
posted by chorltonmeateater on Jan 12, 2008 - 15 answers

MS Excel Problem: CAN ANYONE PLEASE HELP? I am a very average PC user having unable to open spreadsheets. I borrowed a copy of MS Office Professional from a friend, but it did not install Excel properly. I no longer have access to those installation CDs. Whenever I try to open a spreadsheet, it prompts me for the CD's. So I bought Excel 97, installed it fine, but still when I try o open a spreadsheet it automatically tries to open it with the XP Professional version... How so I get around this to just use the Excel 97 version now on my computer??
posted by writingjulie on Oct 29, 2007 - 9 answers

What are the core tech support skills needed to work in a school district and how can I improve those skills this weekend? [more inside]
posted by fenriq on Oct 27, 2007 - 5 answers

WifiQ: Why does my laptop disconnect from my WAP? [more inside]
posted by SirStan on Oct 27, 2007 - 7 answers

Outlook Express (Win XP) deleted some of my inbox... a few months worth of mail. Not your standard "lost my whole folder" corrupted-file type of problem, I'm suddenly missing the last 4 months of mail. Desperate! [more inside]
posted by cloudscratcher on Oct 17, 2007 - 9 answers

My macbook panic: After going ahead and downloading an update for the OS X my macbook crashed and will not know restart. I'm in panic mode as I have pics of newborn daughter on there. Please help. [more inside]
posted by numberstation on Aug 8, 2007 - 7 answers

Succour for Aged Computers Filter: I've got an old computer that is having two problems. 1) When it boots up, it always asks to go into safemode. This is an old problem. 2) when it boots up, I can use the kb to select safemode (or not) or make selections in the bios, but when XP loads up, mouse and kb aren't working! [more inside]
posted by By The Grace of God on Jul 19, 2007 - 7 answers

Please help me figure out why my computer stops reading my 1TB WD My Book Premium II external storage thinger before I punch it. [more inside]
posted by Bageena on Jan 9, 2007 - 8 answers

I know what's wrong with my Dell computer - I need to repair reinstall. But of course, Dells don't come with a Windows install disc, so I'm waiting for them to send me one [two weeks and counting...], but the tech support rep is contradicting himself and I don't know what to do. [more inside]
posted by Chorus on May 26, 2006 - 26 answers

Netflix Filter: My Netflix acct/Netflix tech. support is driving me crazy! HELP!! [more inside]
posted by dpcoffin on Mar 24, 2006 - 12 answers

Riddle me this: there are two Windows XP computers (desktop and laptop) on the same Internet connection, behind the same router, connecting wirelessly to it. The laptop often (but not every time) takes a really long time (30 seconds+) to send email and connect to certain websites. The desktop never has this problem. What's going on? [more inside]
posted by frenetic on Feb 10, 2006 - 10 answers

Wanted to seek some advise about my Comcast internet connection and tech support problems which seem to happen almost two three times a year. It always makes me question myself for using VOIP (Vonage) for my phone service. [more inside]
posted by flyby22 on Jul 23, 2005 - 8 answers

I work partly as IT/network support for a company whose focus isn't specifically IT. As such, most of the employees are not very knowledgeable in this area and come to me for help on fixing issues on their home computers. I'm not really into this, but I'm not sure how best to decline to help. I don't mind advising people on things, but when they ask me to go their house to fix their home computers I balk. Today, someone asked how much I charged to "reformat" their hard drive, which I suppose is better than just asking if I can fix something, but what if I don't want to run a half-assed consultancy?

On the flipside -- if I did want to start charging, what do you think would be a normal rate for this kind of stuff? Should I bother setting up a business name? I had thought about such a business before I got this job, but now that I'm a full-timer, I'm not sure I have the interest in doing this as a sidejob.
posted by Big Fat Tycoon on Dec 29, 2004 - 17 answers

Computer fixing frustrations - what to do when you've replaced (pretty much) every part and the problem continues? (more inside) [more inside]
posted by Mossy on Sep 15, 2004 - 9 answers