Lost Your User Manual? No Problem.
Have you lost the user manual to that DVD player you bought two years ago? Ever searched in vain for your iPod Nano (2nd Gen.) manual? Have you ever purchased a new electronic gadget, only to realize you have no idea how to use it? Well, you may be in luck. Below, I’ll fill you in on some of my favorite tools for finding lost user manuals and getting tech support.
By using The Manuals, you may be able to find a free copy online. The Manuals is a search engine that scours the web to find pdf and html copies of common user manuals. It currently boasts 5,770,000 free manuals.
Another option is OwnerIQ, a community-based directory of user manuals and tips. OwnerIQ combines self-help and product information, offering a more comprehensive site that allows you to find and post tips about using various products. Once you create a user account, you can begin inventorying your products and electronics. Once you’ve done this, you will being receiving personalized updates on the products in your inventory. Overall, a pretty useful site.
Another option is FixYa, which combines a user manuals database with a tech support community. FixYa works to provide the post-purchase customer support that most manufacturers seems to lack. This DIY community has over 1 million products in its database. Another great feature of this site is its new ‘Ratings & Recommendations‘ section. This section allows users to rate various products based on their reliability, ease of use, and value for money, as well as offering their recommendations for the best products in that category. For example, the HP DeskJet F380 is ranked as the #1 printer, receiving 544 recommendations. Of all of the sites described here, this is my personal favorite for any sort of tech support.
Last, you may want to try SafeManuals, a site that allows you to upload your own user manuals and search its database of user-submitted manuals. It currently offers user manuals for 5,600 different brands of products and 1,400,000 user’s guides.
