Support Options

Microsoft and the ASP.NET developer community provide many support options for any question that you may have. Chances are good that your question has already been answered in a tutorial, video, or other resource, so be sure to follow the step-by-step approach outlined on this page.

Step 1: Follow the Tutorials

The following tutorials address the most common questions concerning ASP.NET 2.0 and Visual Web Developer.

Step 2: Read the Documentation

The ASP.NET Framework is extensive, yet every class and every class member is fully documented on Microsoft’s MSDN Web site.

Step 3: Use Bing

On the internet there are thousands of tutorials, weblog entries, and other resources covering everything about ASP.NET and Visual Web Developer. Use the following text box to begin your search using Bing.com.

Advanced Bing Search

Step 4: Ask an Expert in the Forums

If you have followed the first three steps but not yet found an answer to your question, it is time to ask an expert on the ASP.NET Forums.

Installation and Setup: All about installing and getting ASP.NET running on your system.
Getting Started: The perfect forum for ASP.NET novices. No question too simple!
Visual Studio 2005: General discussions of Visual Studio 2005.
Visual Web Developer 2005 Express: General discussions about Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition.
SQL Server and SqlDataSource Control: All about SQL Server, SQL Server Express, MSDE, and the SqlDataSource control.
ASP.NET AJAX Discussion and Suggestions: This forum is the place for ASP.NET AJAX ‘getting started’ questions.

All ASP.NET Forums…

Step 5: Get Help from Microsoft

If you have exhausted all other support options, you may wish to contact a Microsoft Support Professional. Please note that personal help may incur a fee.

Assisted Support: Contact a Microsoft Support Professional.
Assisted Support for MSDN Subscribers: Use a Professional Support incident provided with your MSDN Subscription.
ASP.NET 2.0 Solution Center: The official support page from Microsoft for ASP.NET 2.0 . Here you can receive online technical support, how to, and troubleshooting information about ASP.NET 2.0.
Worldwide Support: Outside of the US and Canada? Find Worldwide Support resources.
File Bugs or Suggestions: File bugs or provide suggestions to Microsoft about Visual Studio.
Microsoft Support Services: Find out more about Support Services and Packages available.

ASP.NET Downloads

First things first, do you have the downloads that you need to use ASP.NET?

If you are creating modern web applications, do you have the ASP.NET AJAX Extensions?