Possibly some of the biggest helps around:

Problem: It came up with an error...
Start of solution: Use Google (or your favorite search engine) to search for the error message.

Problem: It came up with an error and told me to check the help file(s)...
Start of solution: Um... check the help file(s)

Problem: It broke (general)
Start of solution: Check help files > Check official website > Search Google > Search appropriate forums
Still no answer: Post in the appropriate forums along with what you have already done to try fixing it