Windows Vista Annoyances

Getting Help from Microsoft

If you run into trouble with installation—or with any Windows feature—the world of Microsoft is filled with sources of technical help. For example, you can follow any of these avenues, all of which have direct links from the home page of the Help system (choose Start→Help and Support):

• ▸ Windows communities. This link takes you to some Internet newsgroups (bulletin boards) pertaining to Windows and Windows issues. You can post questions to the multitudes all over the Internet and return later to read the answers.

• ▸ Microsoft Customer Support pages. This Web site offers a summary of all the different ways you can get help from Microsoft: phone numbers, pricing plans, links to other help sources, and so on.

  You’ll discover there that if you bought Vista separately (that is, it didn’t come on your computer), you can call Microsoft for free during business hours. The company is especially interested in helping you get Windows installed. In fact, you can call as often as you like on this subject.

  After that, you can call for everyday Windows questions for free—twice. You’ll be asked to provide your 20-digit product ID number, which you can look up by right-clicking Computer in your Start menu and clicking the Properties tab. The not-toll-free number is listed in the packaging of your Vista installation DVD.

  (If Windows came preinstalled on your machine, on the other hand, you’re supposed to call the computer company with your Windows questions.)

  Once you’ve used ...