desk

We've all been there: helping a relative with a computer problem they can't figure out, and suddenly they run into an error.

Now comes the fun part! You can attempt to have them explain the error box. Sometimes it feels as though you should type a random string of characters into Google and hope it's the right error code--the success rate will probably be similar.

Enter GetWindowText. This handy tool lets anyone select text from any Windows dialog prompt and place it into an area where it can then be copied to the clipboard for using elsewhere. … Read more

Gamers are possibly the most fun people to shop for. They always want something, and if you guess right, you're a hero for the rest of the year.

There's just so much that brings them insane amounts of joy: a new controller (woot!), the latest game (Batman: Arkham City, anyone?), a geeky gaming headset (hey, it's important), and the mother load of all gamer gifts, a brand-new console.

If you're still unsure which of these pretty sweet options to get for the adorable gaming addict in your life, let CNET's Holiday Help Desk help. … Read more

While our various gift guides and roundups have provided plenty of really great holiday ideas, there are always a few worthy products that get left out.

During the past few weeks, Scott and I have frequently found ourselves at each other's desks, eyeballing cool accessories for laptops and other mobile products that we never got around to reviewing, but nevertheless deserve a nod.

These include portable laptop desks, wireless video connections, and even a few bags and cases, and prices run from a few bucks to a few hundred.

Check out our odds-and-ends collection in the gallery below, and if you have a great gadget stocking-stuffer idea, let us know in the comments section. … Read more

Smartphones--can you give them as a gift? And if so, which one should you give as a gift? Go with the Droid Razr or wait for the Galaxy Nexus? Or learn to love Siri and all her quirks? We're here to help--live.

CNET smartphones expert Jessica Dolcourt joins the CNET Holiday Help Desk Monday Dec. 12 at at noon Pacific, 3 p.m. Eastern at CNET Live.

Monday's show is our fourth help desk of the season, here to answer your holiday tech-shopping questions. Not only will Jessica help you pick a smartphone, we'll also have Claudia … Read more

People looking for a little tech support from Microsoft now have yet another option.

The folks in Redmond have just kicked off an online version of the physical support Answer Desk that's been up and running at the various Microsoft Store outlets.

The online Answer Desk bills itself as a premium Microsoft service designed to "give you the most convenient, friendly, and easy way to get the most out of your PC." Like the Microsoft Store Answer Desk, the Web-based version is staffed by support folks trained to troubleshoot and resolve problems with your Microsoft software.

So, … Read more

Need laptop advice? Want to find out the inside scoop on Amazon's deals leading into the holidays? We're here to help--live.

Tune in to the CNET Holiday Help Desk today and every Monday until Dec. 19 at noon Pacific, 3 p.m. Eastern at CNET Live.

Today's show is the third of five weekly call-in shows designed to help answer your holiday tech shopping questions. This week, Dan Ackerman helps make sense of the sea of laptop deals that have been enticing buyers since Black Friday. After all, you don't want to pick the wrong one, … Read more

CNET's Holiday Help Desk on CNET Live is back for seconds!

Hosts Molly Wood and Brian Tong will take live viewer calls, talk to the chat room, and answer e-mails. And dish out the best tech gift buying advice on the planet. This week's special guests include CNET 's TV Guru Senior Editor David Katzmaier, resident cheapskate Rick Broida keeps bringing us sweet deals, and Woot.com's VP of Retail Sales Darold Rydl joins us to talk about where to find some great deals and how Woot helped to start the craze.

We'll keep you posted … Read more

It's that time of year again, time for CNET's Holiday Help Desk.

Hosts Molly Wood and Brian Tong will take live viewer calls, talk to the chat room, and answer e-mails. And dish out the best tech gift-buying advice on the planet. Special guests will include CNET resident cheapskate Rick Broida, a parade of CNET editors, and guests from the retail world pitching their deals directly to you, such as representatives from Amazon, Woot, eBay, and Best Buy.

We'll keep you posted with the best deals, and also help you find the perfect gadget that's right … Read more

With many of us spending more than 40 hours per week at work, you might be having a hard time fitting exercise into your daily routine, but a company called Revo Innovations thinks it has the solution with a contraption called the FitDesk.

The FitDesk is a foldable stationary bike that brings the gym to your office. Instead of traditional handlebars, the bike features a padded deck, where you can place your laptop and continue to work, surf the Web, or play games (in case you're not a treadmill fan), all while pedaling away the calories. Resistance controls also allow you to intensify your workouts as you pore over those Excel spreadsheets. … Read more