A computer event is detected and a notification is displayed. If a dialog box corresponding to the computer event triggered the event detection, then the dialog box is modified to include further details of the event and an assistance control that links to a search engine Web page. If a dialog box did not trigger the event detection, then a dialog box is displayed with the event details and assistance control. Upon selection of the assistance control, the search engine Web page is displayed with event details pre-populated in the search term field. Targeted advertisements are displayed according to bidding on a unique descriptor associated with the specific computer event.