HOW TO GET HELP FAST!

If you're having a problem with a specific function or feature of Geoworks, there's plenty of help for you on the GEOWORKS PRODUCT MESSAGE BOARDS available from the main GEOWORKS menu.

Here's what you can to do get your question answered as quickly and thoroughly as possible (instructions provided by GWRepJohn- thanks!).

If you are experiencing problems and want to get help, you can cut down on the response time and your time online by initially providing as much information as possible. Full descriptions can sometimes be lengthy so here are some time saving steps to follow.

 (1) For users of GeoWorks Ensemble, use PKZIP and create a zip file
     containing your SYSINFO and GEOS.INI files ( they can be found in
     the \GEOWORKS directory) and your *current* Autoexec.bat and 
     Config.sys files.
     
     For users of the standalone AOL package, your zip file should
     contain your GEOS.INI file ( it can be found in the \AOL directory)
     and your *current* Autoexec.bat and Config.sys files.

 (2) Compose your message offline using the Notepad. Include as much 
     information as you can about your system such as:
                 
Description                                  Example
--------------------------     ------------------------
Type of computer		386SX 16MHz
BIOS			AMI bios <date>
RAM			2 meg
Monitor			SVGA (1024x768)
Video card		                  Trident Tecnologies w/1 Meg 	
Printer			Panasonic KX-P1124  24-pin dotmatrix 
                                                      (Epson emulation) (LPT1, IRQ 7)
Modem			PC Works internal 2400 baud (COM 2, IRQ 3)
Mouse			Logitech C-9, 3 button serial (COM 1, IRQ 4)
      			<Version of driver software>
Mass Storage		Maxtor 7080A, 80 Meg IDE
Floppies		                  3.5'' 1.44M Teac, 5.25 1.2M Mitsumi
Operating System		MS-DOS 4.01

      Evidently, you are not always going to include ALL of this information in
      your message. Only the relevant portions should be necessary.
 
      Save the file but leave your notepad window open. Sign On to AOL.

 (3) Locate the board where you want to post your message, find 
     an existing folder with a topic related to your message or create 
     a new folder if you need to. Click on 'Add A Message', enter a
     subject heading. Click on the Express button and select Notepad.

     Click five times rapidly in the open notepad window to highlight the  
     text, click and hold down the right mouse button and drag the
     cursor (which should now look like an arrow with a square at the 
     base) to the text area of your message window and release the
     button. Your message will be copied into the message area. Post 
     your message and close your Notepad window.

 (4) In your message indicate if you are sending your zipped setup
     file via E-mail to the GWRep or alternatively copy each of the 
     relevant files (Config.sys, Autoexec.bat, GEOS.INI and/or SYSINFO)
     into your message. Place the files at the *end* of your description
     so that they are easy to find and read as well.

Enjoy using GeoWorks Ensemble!