I often get emails asking questions like "I saw a blue screen, how do I fix it?".  Well, it could be a Windows stop error, it could be a bad LCD, it could be a Mac... the list goes on.

Below are a few tips to help provide all the necessary information the first time.  Remember, the more information you provide the quicker you'll get the right answer to your question.

When asking a computer related question, always provide:
1) What type of Operating System are you using (Mac, Windows)?
2) What version (OS X 10.5, 10.6, etc.; Windows XP, Vista, 7)?

When describing an error message or event, provide as much information as possible.  Specifically:
1) What is the complete message you received (I know they're long, but the little details make them unique)?
2) Are there any "assembly references" such as .dll, .sys, .ix .ocx, .exe files listed in the error message?  Which ones?
3) What were you doing up to the point that this error occured?  Which programs did you have open?
4) What was the last thing you "clicked" before the error occured (if something)?  Did you print something, run something, etc?

Lastly, optional details that might be useful are:
1) Has this problem occured regularly?
2) Has this problem occured before, but not regularly?
3) What Anti-Virus software do you use (Norton Internet Security, etc)?  Is you subscription up to date?
4) Any additional details you can provide.  There is no such thing as too much information.