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[B][COLOR="Red"][U]How to post a New Topic[/U][/COLOR][/B]

Please note: Text below in [URL="http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic114336.html"][COLOR="Blue"]blue[/COLOR][/URL] can be [I]clicked [/I]to take you to the associated links

Further help here: [URL="http://www.techspot.com/vb/faq.php?faq=vb3_reading_posting"][COLOR="Blue"]How do I format my posts and messages?[/COLOR][/URL]



[B][COLOR="Navy"][U]The best place to begin?[/U][/COLOR][/B]

All new Registered Members to [URL="http://www.techspot.com/about.shtml"][COLOR="Blue"]TechSpot[/COLOR][/URL] are originally directed to the [URL="http://www.techspot.com/vb/menu24.html"][COLOR="Blue"]Introduce yourself[/COLOR][/URL] forum

Viewing the [URL="http://www.techspot.com/vb/menu24.html"][COLOR="Blue"]Introduce yourself[/COLOR][/URL] forum, you will first see the [I]sticky[/I] at the top of the forum stating:[list][*] [URL="http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic117655.html"][COLOR="Blue"]DO NOT post your questions in this forum, INTRODUCTIONS only[/COLOR][/URL][/list][URL="http://www.techspot.com/vb/menu24.html"][COLOR="Blue"]This forum[/COLOR][/URL] is an excellent place [B]only[/B] to post your Introduction (just posting info about yourself, [B]non support related[/B])

At this stage you are advised (for your benefit) to update your [URL="http://www.techspot.com/vb/profile.php?do=editprofile#system"][COLOR="Blue"]Profile[/COLOR][/URL] with your [URL="http://www.techspot.com/downloads/3100-system-spec.html"][COLOR="Blue"]System Specs[/COLOR][/URL]

Please also refer to:[list][*] [URL="http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic33297.html"][COLOR="Blue"]Guide to Making a Good Post/Thread[/COLOR][/URL][*] [URL="http://www.techspot.com/vb-faq.html"][COLOR="Blue"]TechSpot Community & Posting Guidelines[/COLOR][/URL][*] [URL="http://www.techspot.com/vb-tos.html"][COLOR="Blue"]TechSpot Terms of Service (TOS)[/COLOR][/URL][/list]
So there's a bit to know and to adhere to before you can even create a New Topic.
Many new Members tend to jump right in without reading all these "[I][URL="http://www.techspot.com/vb-faq.html"][COLOR="Blue"]Posting Guidelines[/COLOR][/URL][/I]" and generally these New Topics are posted correctly by them. In some cases though a [URL="http://www.techspot.com/vb/faq.php?faq=vb3_reading_posting#faq_vb3_mods_admins"][COLOR="Blue"]Moderator[/COLOR][/URL] must come along and edit the topic, bringing it back up to standard.


[B][COLOR="Navy"][U]OK I can adhere to all the Guidelines now what?[/U][/COLOR][/B]

As [URL="http://www.techspot.com/about.shtml"][COLOR="Blue"]TechSpot[/COLOR][/URL] has been running for many years, the information (answers) to many Members questions can usually be found by [URL="http://www.techspot.com/vb/search.php"][COLOR="Blue"]Searching[/COLOR][/URL] for keywords to do with your issue. Or by going through the many [URL="http://www.techspot.com/vb/menu31.html"][COLOR="Blue"]Guides and Tutorials[/COLOR][/URL] topics, which have many extremely helpful and supportive guides.

The "[COLOR="Blue"][URL="http://www.techspot.com/vb/"][COLOR="Blue"]Forums[/COLOR][/URL][/COLOR]" button, located at the top of every page, has many Sub-[URL="http://www.techspot.com/vb/"][COLOR="Blue"]Forums[/COLOR][/URL] which have at least one [I]sticky[/I] that Members (and Guests) can read.
Each one being relevant to that specific forum. All these [I]stickies[/I] are there to help and inform Members within that specific Forum.


[B][COLOR="Navy"][U]Can I create my New Topic Now?[/U][/COLOR][/B]

If you are already familiar with Forums on the Web, then Yes, even without reading all the Guidelines and Stickies. In some cases though it is still good practice to refresh your mind on how to create a New Topic properly and clearly. As updates to [I]stickies[/I] and topics happen often.

It should be emphasized that when creating a New Topic, you are in fact asking for help from someone who has no previous knowledge of your personal computer system. Therefore please give as much detail as required on your technical issue you are having difficulty with. Including any, or all computer hardware [URL="http://www.techspot.com/downloads/3100-system-spec.html"][COLOR="Blue"]specifications[/COLOR][/URL]. In any case, if support members require more information they will reply to your New Topic asking for this.


[B][COLOR="Navy"][U]I'm ready to create my New Topic[/U][/COLOR][/B]

Please click on "[URL="http://www.techspot.com/vb/"][COLOR="Blue"]Forums[/COLOR][/URL]" ^^ above in blue
Then select the appropriate (sub) Forum that best suits your issue you are having
Then click on the large button:
Create a [B]concise and accurate[/B] Title to your New Topic, in the Title area, and then type in your issue.
Note: A clear Title will help support when first seeing the your new Topic, in the [URL="http://www.techspot.com/vb/newtoday.html"][COLOR="Blue"]Currently Active Topics[/COLOR][/URL] section
Adhere to all [URL="http://www.techspot.com/vb-faq.html"][COLOR="Blue"]Posting Guidelines[/COLOR][/URL] and create your New Topic.
When finished, you can either click on "Preview Post" to help make any corrections; or "Submit New Topic" to submit your New Topic straight away.
Note: A submitted New Topic can be altered by using the "Edit" button, on the lower right of all your posts, the Title, although, can not be changed


[B][COLOR="Navy"][U]What are all these buttons and symbols on top of my New Topic window?[/U][/COLOR][/B]

Some of these buttons you may already be familiar with, such as:
[B]B[/B]=[B]Bold[/B]
[I][B]I[/B][/I]=[I]Italic[/I]
[B]U[/B]=[U]Underline[/U]
=[COLOR="Navy"]Color[/COLOR]

[B]Note:[/B] Main body of text must normally be black. Color and Bold is strongly discouraged, and only permitted when absolutely necessary.

There are other buttons that can help though:

for creating links
for attaching files (up to 200kb in size)
for placing pictures in your post
for use in quoting text


[B][COLOR="Navy"][U]OK I created my New Topic, now what happens?[/U][/COLOR][/B]

When a support person replies to your New Topic, you will receive an instant email notification
Open the "Reply to topic" email, and click on the link inside that message
This will automatically take you to TechSpot and open the reply for you to read
In most cases a Reply from you saying "Thank-You" would be highly appreciated


Thanks for reading my [B]New Topic[/B]
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