Computer Specification - Tech Support Forums

J1mmy · July 18th, 2006, 08:38 PM

Welcome to another great suggestion by me

Anyway, some of the questions which people ask on this forum usually depend on their current software and hardware they are running. Not everyone includes the information about their PC specs (inc software) in their troubleshooting threads. Come to think of it, I dont think people will be bothered to re-write the PC specs everytime thye post a problem.

Now, not naming anyone, but Ive noticed that users ask questions regarding the hardware and software of the person who is having difficulty before they can post a suitable solution.

Now to the suggestion. I was thinking if a mod could be installed on the left of the post (where the user info is, such as post count, location, name etc is) that had some information regarding that users spec. Headers like, OS, memory, processor speed etc -just the main important components. This would indicate clearly what the user is running and base suggestions on that.

Your probaly thinking that quite a bit to list in that same area. Well, yes, thats true -so here's an alternative solution to that problem.
In the user profile, headers like the above could be set. Theres a whole page to use here, so there isnt really any limit to space. Therefore, full detials can be given regarding the users PC spec, a full info list from case info right down to screws.

All this should enable the users to suggest more accurate solutions to diagnosing problems and helping others out.

To enable something like this, obviously a bit of vB template editting will have to be done, nothing that the staff cant handle.

So what do you say.

*By the way, dont forget to visit my earlier suggestion by clicking on the link in my sig below!

him61 · July 18th, 2006, 09:50 PM

It's a good suggestion, but I dont think it'll help out much. I can definately see where it can be beneficial, but I don't think it'll be worth the effort to put it on there.

nunyadam · July 18th, 2006, 09:51 PM

It may help it may not. In my case I am probably asking a question about a computer I am working on and not my own. Having my specs listed would just confuse the issue.

Mickwish · July 18th, 2006, 09:57 PM

I have many computers, and troubleshoot many moire. Which one woulkd I put the specs of in?

IME n00bs who need the most help have no idea what specs they should provide, so it may not help much.

Will only clutter posts IMO. We just need to direct thoise asking tech questions to frame there questions correctkly with as much info as they can provide. Isn't there a sticky by Dr Rob or somebody somewhere about that?

Cheers
Mick

J1mmy · July 19th, 2006, 02:45 AM

I see. I actually thought that the middle option will be have the most votes. Its true that a bit of effort has to be made to acheive that, and in the end it may not make such a difference as it should have.
Never the less, theres no harm in posting a suggestion. Afterall, there isnt anyright or wrong suggestion...

Mickwish · July 19th, 2006, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J1mmy

Never the less, theres no harm in posting a suggestion. Afterall, there isnt any right or wrong suggestion...

Very true, I'd never knock someone for having a go. Good job, mate!

Cheers
Mick

RetroEvolute · July 19th, 2006, 03:15 AM

It's a good idea, but there are a lot of possible flaws (multiple PCs and whatnot)...

Unless there's an optional section, when starting a thread, where you can check a box/click the plus sign and bring down a list of the important parts in which they could include information... (Get what I'm saying?)

I like the idea, because there are definately situations where we'd really like to know some specs. Then again, there are times where we don't need specs, which is why it'd have to be optional AND dynamic (is allowed to be altered each time you start a thread).

**GroundZero3** · July 19th, 2006, 10:56 AM

http://www.techimo.com/forum/t31155.html

The problem you are gonna run into is there alot of new people on the forum posting problems that dont even know what the specs are or how to tell.

J1mmy · July 19th, 2006, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroundZero3

http://www.techimo.com/forum/t31155.html

The problem you are gonna run into is there alot of new people on the forum posting problems that dont even know what the specs are or how to tell.

Looking at the date of that first post, I can instantly see that they havent been followed. I think in that case, a bigger effort should be made to make members read it first. Maybe an automtic PM upon registration would help, or an email upon registration.

ru1di · September 17th, 2006, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nunyadam

It may help it may not. In my case I am probably asking a question about a computer I am working on and not my own. Having my specs listed would just confuse the issue.

I agree, bad idea