Still No Answers? Try the Apple Discussions to Find the Help You Need

So you've looked all around and you still can't find the solution to the problem with your Mac? Sites like My First Mac tackle the most common problems, but what about your weird one that no one has heard of? Somebody must have the answer.

That somebody is probably in the Apple Discussions. This is one of many sites where odd people like us like to help out those of you that are having problems with your Mac. The general idea is that you post your problem and hopefully someone somewhere has the answer you need and replies to you.

How do you get started? Assuming you've tried the first 4 steps in 6 Steps to Solve Your Mac Problem, it's time to visit the Apple Discussion site or another that may apply more directly to your issue. The first thing is to register as a member of the site.

If you are at Apple Discussions, after you register, go to My Settings in the Welcome box on the right side. At the bottom, go to the Subscription Preferences and select Yes to Subscribe to the to the topics I create. This is important so that you get automatic emails when people reply to your questions. Other sites often have this feature too.

Next, use the search function to see if someone has posted a question like yours already. Few things irritate the people trying to help more than questions getting asked over and over again after the solution has already been posted.

Don't see your question? Then it's time to ask. But first, you need to gather the info that someone helping you will need. You should track down your Mac model, the version of OS X you are running, how much RAM you have and the version of the software troubling you if it's a problem with a program. Let's go over how to find this info.

Get to know System Profiler. In your Utilities folder that's in your Applications folder is a program called System Profiler. This program will tell you all you need to know about your Mac. Open it up and click on the first line, Hardware. Note the Machine Name and the Memory. Next click the Software heading and note the System Version its says you have.

To find out what version of the program you are using, open it and select the first item in the application menu (the one to the right of the Apple menu) called, About ___. That should bring up a small box with the version number of the software you are using. Note that as well.

OK, time to start a new topic in the discussion forums. Find the right category for your problem and then click into the Forum for that category. Go ahead and click Post New Topic. Now choose the words carefully that describe your problem in the Subject field. This is all most people will read when scanning the list. Don't get too wordy; just keep it to the important terms.

Then in the Message box, spell out your problem in descriptive terms. Try to include as much info as possible so someone doesn't have to ask too many follow up questions. Also make sure to check the box that marks it as a question.

Now if you changed your Subscriptions Preferences to subscribe to your topics, you just have to wait for the emails notifying you that someone has responded. Once they do, be sure to follow up right away so someone trying to help doesn't lose patience.

What if you don't get an answer? If no one answers your question? Try another post rephrasing it so it's an obvious question and put in a "HELP" in the subject line.

If that doesn't work, move on to  a different forum. For instance, if you are asking about iPhoto and your camera in Apple's forums, try also in a photo magazine's forums. Think of where else people might have the special interest that aligns with your problem.

Help forums are often the best place to get answers to uncommon problems. Don't be afraid to jump in and ask for help when you can't find it elsewhere.


Share with us your favorite forums for getting help in the Comments section below!

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Try these forums for help
Apple Discussions
Macworld Forums
MacOSXHints Forums
MacRumors Forums

Apple Discussion FAQs

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Your Comments:

MacNN is the BEST forum for getting help.

http://forums.macnn.com

 Adam F
 09/21/2007  at  01:15 PM

"put in a "HELP" in the subject line."

Thanks for the kudos to Apple Discussions and your tips about how to use it.!
On one point, I must differ. "Help" is the least helpful word you can use. In all caps, it is considered SHOUTING and frowned upon:-( A good descriptive is the best subject heading

 macjack
 08/24/2008  at  12:08 PM

I recently downloaded some apple software and right at the end the following message flashed up 'system extension cannot be used' and quoted the following "system/library/extensions/thomson.usblan-usb.kext" I am a luddite and have no idea what it means or what to do all I know is that I cannot print . Can anybody help me please Ian

 Ian
 10/20/2009  at  03:14 AM

Hi, I'm writing from Argentina. My PowerBook fell to the floor and it is now ¨dead¨. The Genius Bar in Buenos Aires is now looking at it. They told me there could be a way to take the hard disc out and work with it, from a ¨case¨, on another computer. I want to know: could I work on the same Word files from a PC, before I go back to the US in a couple of months and buy a new MAC there? Or should I think that most Word 2008 files will not be read by a PC? Thank you for any answers!

 macwoman
 12/29/2009  at  07:33 AM