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Get Help on the Web

If your software or hardware company refuses to help and you've given up trying, check out some of the great support sites on the Web. You'll find plenty of groups to commiserate with.

Visit PC World's Bugs and Fixes for the latest alerts. You'll find out about the most common problems, along with details on how to fix them. Bugs and Fixes will keep you informed about the latest software bugs, hardware problems, virus attacks, and security holes.

Think of BugNet as a central bank of bugs. BugNet posts a comprehensive list of known bugs, explains the nature of each one, and points you to the remedies or work-arounds, if available. It's primarily a subscription service, starting at $65 for individual users. But you can still get plenty of information on current problems for free. But be forewarned: A lot of the reported bugs are geeky and very obscure.

Computer Hope offers free help with all hardware- and software-related problems. The information is organized alphabetically (for example, click the Software Listing link, then click the W, select Windows 98, and then click the Basic troubleshooting link). You can also post your question to the experts, and a volunteer will likely help out with your dilemma.

Tech Support Guy offers free advice on hardware, software, and Internet problems. The site is a well-organized community where you can ask a question, get involved in discussion groups, and peruse tons of tips and tricks submitted by members.

Hop to Woody's Office Portal for free info about the latest bug alerts and fixes involving Windows, your Office programs, and your Palm. Expert Woody Leonhard provides lots of additional how-to advice, and you can sign up for a variety of newsletters. You can also browse through back issues of Woody's newsletters.

You also might want to use the free service offered by BigFix. After you download the program, BigFix will examine your system's configuration and point you to the relevant fixes for bugs, outdated drivers, viruses, and security holes. You can browse through the recommended updates or have BigFix install them automatically. Currently, BigFix monitors Microsoft software and a few other products, but this list is likely to expand over time. BigFix hums along in the background and will flash its icon at you when something new and appropriate for your PC hits its radar screen. Of course, as with Windows Update, review each patch recommended by BigFix before going ahead with the download.

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