Peter Griffin: Season of give and tech

Digital music was the gift theme for Christmas in my neck of the woods. Mum and Dad learnt to rip and burn music for their new Hyundai stereo which plays home-made mp3 CDs.

Mum also got an MP3onChannel music player for her car. And big brother received the iTrip, a little device that allows the songs on his iPod to be played wirelessly through his car stereo.

From the drunken singing of the neighbours who were huddled around the TV on Boxing Day, it was pretty obvious they had picked up SingStar, the add-on for PlayStation2 that turns it and your TV into a karaoke machine.

Gadgets of all kinds will have been getting a workout over the last week. But everyone knows the best deals are in January. It's as true for mobile phones and digital cameras as for bed linen and golf clubs.

If you were smart and cynical, you'd have held off. But keep that clever thinking going to avoid headaches setting up your new device.

If possible, set it up during business hours or those hours covered by phone helpdesk support. This is especially important for new broadband internet or mobile phone connections where you may need to talk to someone about technical or account settings.

Kiwi tech retailers aren't known for their fantastic service, so if you can't figure out why the shots on your new five-megapixel camera are blurry, chances are the staff at the store where you bought it won't know either. Try a few other things before you head back to them.

Read the manual that came with the device 70 per cent of problems will be solved by careful reading of the instructions.

Sending query emails through the manufacturer's website may not get a response, especially at this time of year.

Instead, go online and punch the gadget's model number into Google.com along with the word help, problem or troubleshooting. That will produce links to forums where other users of the gadget will be discussing its eccentricities and faults, its pros and cons. If your glitch isn't listed, post a query. There's nothing geeks like more than showing off their knowledge.

Actually take time to register the gadget's warranty. You can usually do this online and it'll speed things up greatly if you make a claim in the future. Also keep your warranty document and receipt somewhere safe as you may need these if you make a claim later on.

Don't just plug your new device into your computer as you'll risk botching the set-up process.

Most gadgets require the software driver which is supplied on an accompanying disk to be installed on the computer before you plug in the hardware.

Once that is installed, go to the manufacturer's website to see if a more recent driver is available.

You will need the software's serial number to re-install it.

Before you install extra RAM or a new disk drive on your computer, back up the hard drive, or at least the most crucial files. And take precautions to prevent electrostatic discharge which can fry your computer components.

Disconnect your computer from the power source and use a grounding wrist-strap, which can be bought cheaply at electronics stores. Avoid carpeted areas and touch only the edges of PC cards.

Don't throw away the packaging and keep it in pristine condition, as some stores won't accept returns packed in tatty styrofoam and ripped boxes.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY