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PC Support on Call

When technology glitches have you stumped, who can you turn to? We tried services that come to you--in person or over the Internet--and found ones that do the job right.

Laurianne McLaughlin

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With HP wireless printers, you could have printed this from any room in the house. Live wirelessly. Print wirelessly.

Self-Help Tips: Networking and Broadband Help

Feeling twisted as you try to troubleshoot a broadband connection or home network? Try these sites, tools, and books.

Web Sites

  • Practically Networked: Don't start a project without consulting a tutorial, troubleshooting guide, or forum at this useful site.
  • Wi-Fi Planet Forums: Wi-Fi Planet delivers a good collection of tutorials and advice from savvy wireless users on a wide array of topics such as security, standards, and troubleshooting.
  • Tom's Networking: Computer geeks know about Tom's Hardware, but wireless users should get to know Tom's Networking. The dedicated site provides troubleshooting tips on basic network setups, and its reviews dig deeper into the technical details of how specific networking products work.

Utilities

  • NetStumbler (free): Got Wi-Fi? This helpful program diagnoses wireless trouble, pinpoints security weaknesses, and helps you find strong hotspots.
  • SuperScan 4 (free): SuperScan probes your network to let you know which PCs are vulnerable to hackers or viruses.

Books

  • Absolute Beginner's Guide to Home Networking by Mark Edward Soper ($17, Que Publishing)
  • Absolute Beginner's Guide to Wi-Fi Wireless Networking by Harold Davis ($17, Que Publishing)
  • How to Do Everything With Windows XP Home Networking by Dave Field and Andrew Brandt ($25, Osborne)
  • The Wireless Networking Starter Kit (2nd Edition) by Adam Engst and Glenn Fleishman ($27, Peachpit Press)
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