Why Googling Your Computer Problems Can Cause You More Problems

We now live in a Do It Yourself world, with every instructional video on the internet available…why not fix it yourself before calling in a professional? I do it too, but with caution. I know my limits on what I can fix. Example: My new refrigerator is now making noises in the back. Clunking type noises I guess. I go to Google and find that it’s something in the back that needs to be replaced, but maybe not? I found a lot of answers, many from just people talking in forums and online blogs. Nothing directly from the manufacturer.

I stopped and realized I had a year warranty. Called them up and they sent a tech out to look at it. If this would have been 2 years down the road and no warranty, I still highly doubt I would have tried to fix this myself as I’m not very handy with appliances and repairs. I would have called in an appliance tech to come service the fridge.

How does this relate to you?  Well…the simple answer is this. If you are getting errors on your computer, it’s OK to google them, but be careful when reading the answers you find. Here are some things you should be concerned about when Googling…

• Many answers might be very old and irrelevant
• Not tested by professionals
• Posted by amateurs who are not using business computers and are not worried about their data being backed up before performing repairs
• Posted in forums by end users like yourself who are just trying anything to fix the errors, or worse, Googling answers live in the that thread and get you going in a full on circle of problems

Things to look for when Googling errors

• Try to find answers posted by professionals who work in the business
• Google the exact error and operating system/office version for better results
• If on the Microsoft forums, look for answers by MVP level posters
• Don’t look at just page 1 of the results, sometimes you need to go deeper.
• Look for the words “FIXED” or “SOLVED”
• Be careful of clicking on links in the forums, they might take you right to a virus

Be careful folks and one more tip….when you call in your professional just give them the error. Don’t try to waste your time telling them that you found the answers on Google and they should follow your lead. Trust me, all techs know how to Google and we don’t use it as our first source for repairs.

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