When your computer goes on the fritz, your initial desire might be to pick up the phone. However, calling tech support can sometimes mean a long time waiting on hold. Luckily, you can shop around for alternatives. (Access' Universal Help Desk provides telephone numbers and support links to some of the most popular computer and peripheral manufacturers.)

Hardware and software companies have varying reputations for how well they handle help calls. Dell, for example, consistently tops support surveys by magazines such as PC World and PC Magazine.

Some companies limit their hours of availability. Others charge per call. If you have problems with Windows 98 or Me, for instance, you get two free support phone calls to Microsoft, but you pay the long-distance charges; after that you pay $35 a call, but those calls are toll-free.

If you can't get the help you need on the phone, try the company's Web site. All the major computing vendors feature online help, from Apple and Microsoft's database of support articles to Gateway's online chat with tech support staff. Smaller companies usually have a frequently-asked-questions, or FAQ, section that can help with troubleshooting.

Then there are the independents. Companies like ask dr. tech could save you money in the long run. A subscription to ask dr. tech, which specializes in Windows computers and applications, costs between $49 and $79 a year. The service guarantees you won't have to wait on hold longer than 10 minutes, or an average of 3 minutes if you pay the higher fee.

Expertcity.com and PCsupport.com, among others, offer a mix of online and offline help features. At Expertcity.com, you post your problem and negotiate a fee with the site's roster of technicians.

Expertcity.com even uses a "virtual house call" utility that allows technicians to "see" your desktop to diagnose problems. Some services use software that lets them take control of your computer to make software adjustments.

These online sites are the future of tech support as companies strive to cut costs and still keep customers happy. But they won't help much if your modem isn't working ... for that, you're stuck making the call.