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Even a computer novice can fix high tech problems by using the swap technique. When dealing with modular technology, you can swap components until the problem is fixed. You should make sure the part you swap with comes from a functioning environment. Just because the part is new doesn't mean that it works. For example, before trusting a telephone wire, test the wire up against a regular phone.
Identify the problem: For an example, a possible problem with dial-up is there is no dial tone.
Identify parts involved in problem: No dial tone can be caused by any faulty component between the computer and telephone company.
Replace one of the parts: Possible cause of no dial tone would be a bad telephone wire.
Repeat process until problem solved: Eventually you will come across the part which is causing the problem.
Sometimes the cause isn't obvious, for instance no dial tone can be caused by the message indicator of an answering machine that changes the dial tone. Also, some parts are more difficult to swap than others. For example swapping modems inside a computer or swapping telephone lines by moving the computer to someone else's house is much more difficult than checking the telephone wires.
Amazingly enough, the act of taking electronics apart and putting them back together again can clean out dust and corrosion that causes bad connections. By attempting to swap components you may inadvertently fix the problem that was really just a bad connection.