Tools of the Trade
Repairing and maintaining your PC can sometimes take nothing more than a screwdriver and a little elbow grease. Other times you may need more advanced tools - both hardware and software - to get the job done right.
All CPU Meter Gadget
All CPU Meter is a well-designed system monitoring gadget for Windows 7 and Windows Vista. The All CPU Meter Windows gadget will track CPU usage for up to 8 cores and also display used, free, and total RAM.
All CPU Meter is a well-designed system monitoring gadget for Windows 7 and Windows Vista. The All CPU Meter Windows gadget will track CPU usage for up to 8 cores and also display used, free, and total RAM.
Active Password Changer Professional v3.8
Active Password Changer Professional is a very well designed premium Windows password recovery tool. With APC Pro, you can delete your Windows password instantly.
Active Password Changer Professional is a very well designed premium Windows password recovery tool. With APC Pro, you can delete your Windows password instantly.
Test a Power Supply Using a Power Supply Tester
Testing a power supply using a power supply tester device is one of two ways to test a power supply. There should be little doubt about whether your PSU is working properly or not after testing it with a power supply tester.
Testing a power supply using a power supply tester device is one of two ways to test a power supply. There should be little doubt about whether your PSU is working properly or not after testing it with a power supply tester.
Manually Test a Power Supply With a Multimeter
Testing a power supply manually with a multimeter is one of two ways to test a power supply. A properly executed PSU test using a multimeter should confirm that the power supply is working properly or not.
Testing a power supply manually with a multimeter is one of two ways to test a power supply. A properly executed PSU test using a multimeter should confirm that the power supply is working properly or not.
Xirrus Wi-Fi Monitor Gadget
The Xirrus Wi-Fi Monitor gadget for Windows 7 and Windows Vista can search for wireless networks, verify wireless coverage, show details about your current wireless connection, and much more.
The Xirrus Wi-Fi Monitor gadget for Windows 7 and Windows Vista can search for wireless networks, verify wireless coverage, show details about your current wireless connection, and much more.
margu-NotebookInfo2 Gadget
The margu-NotebookInfo2 gadget is an excellent multifunction system monitor gadget for Windows 7 and Windows Vista. This gadget can track CPU and memory use, wireless network strength, and much more.
The margu-NotebookInfo2 gadget is an excellent multifunction system monitor gadget for Windows 7 and Windows Vista. This gadget can track CPU and memory use, wireless network strength, and much more.
System Monitor Gadget
The System Monitor gadget is a fantastic all in one system utility gadget for Windows. System Monitor can track CPU and memory usage, battery level, current external IP address, and more.
The System Monitor gadget is a fantastic all in one system utility gadget for Windows. System Monitor can track CPU and memory usage, battery level, current external IP address, and more.
System Control A1 Gadget
The System Control A1 gadget is one of my favorite Windows system utility gadgets for Windows 7 and Windows Vista. The System Control A1 gadget tracks CPU load and also current available and used memory.
The System Control A1 gadget is one of my favorite Windows system utility gadgets for Windows 7 and Windows Vista. The System Control A1 gadget tracks CPU load and also current available and used memory.
DriveInfo Gadget
The DriveInfo gadget is one of my favorite Windows system utility gadgets for Windows 7 and Windows Vista. The DriveInfo gadget has several great options and skins but it's still easy to use.
The DriveInfo gadget is one of my favorite Windows system utility gadgets for Windows 7 and Windows Vista. The DriveInfo gadget has several great options and skins but it's still easy to use.
CPU Meter Gadget
The CPU Meter gadget is my favorite system utility gadget for Windows 7 and Windows Vista. The CPU Meter gadget is easy to read, responsive, and isn't complicated by several options.
The CPU Meter gadget is my favorite system utility gadget for Windows 7 and Windows Vista. The CPU Meter gadget is easy to read, responsive, and isn't complicated by several options.
Windows Password Recovery Programs FAQ
My popular Windows password recovery lists generate a lot of questions. Find answers to common Windows password recovery questions here.
My popular Windows password recovery lists generate a lot of questions. Find answers to common Windows password recovery questions here.
Premium Windows Password Recovery Tools
In addition to many free Windows password recovery tools, several premium programs are also available that will recover Windows passwords.
In addition to many free Windows password recovery tools, several premium programs are also available that will recover Windows passwords.
Where Can I Download a Free Registry Cleaner?
Free registry cleaner programs really do exist. Many pretend to be free but later charge to clean the registry. See my list of completely free registry cleaner software programs.
Free registry cleaner programs really do exist. Many pretend to be free but later charge to clean the registry. See my list of completely free registry cleaner software programs.
ONTPRE Password Reset - Enter the Username to Edit
Offline NT Password & Registry Editor now needs to know which user's password you'd like to delete, erase, clear, blank, remove - call it what you like.
Offline NT Password & Registry Editor now needs to know which user's password you'd like to delete, erase, clear, blank, remove - call it what you like.
ONTPRE Password Reset - How to Recover Passwords Using Offline NT Pas…
Complete guide to using Offline NT Password & Registry Editor. Offline NT Password & Registry Editor is a quick way to reset a Windows password which makes it a unique kind of password recovery program.
Complete guide to using Offline NT Password & Registry Editor. Offline NT Password & Registry Editor is a quick way to reset a Windows password which makes it a unique kind of password recovery program.
Free Registry Cleaner Programs
Registry cleaner programs are software tools that remove duplicate or undesirable entries from the Windows Registry.
Registry cleaner programs are software tools that remove duplicate or undesirable entries from the Windows Registry.
How to Perform a Startup Repair in Windows Vista
The Startup Repair tool in Windows Vista replaces important operating system files that might be damaged or missing. Startup Repair is an easy diagnostic and repair tool to use when Windows Vista fails to start properly.
The Startup Repair tool in Windows Vista replaces important operating system files that might be damaged or missing. Startup Repair is an easy diagnostic and repair tool to use when Windows Vista fails to start properly.
How to Perform a Startup Repair in Windows 7
The Startup Repair tool in Windows 7 replaces important operating system files that might be damaged or missing. Startup Repair is an easy diagnostic and repair tool to use when Windows 7 fails to start properly.
The Startup Repair tool in Windows 7 replaces important operating system files that might be damaged or missing. Startup Repair is an easy diagnostic and repair tool to use when Windows 7 fails to start properly.
Use SFC /Scannow to Repair Protected Windows Operating System Files
The sfc scannow option is the most useful way to run System File Checker. Using sfc with the scannow option will scan and repair important Windows files.
The sfc scannow option is the most useful way to run System File Checker. Using sfc with the scannow option will scan and repair important Windows files.
How do I Use the Windows System Restore Utility?
The Windows System Restore utility is one of the most valuable recovery tools available to a Windows user. Windows System Restore can help with DLL problems, registry issues, and driver problems.
The Windows System Restore utility is one of the most valuable recovery tools available to a Windows user. Windows System Restore can help with DLL problems, registry issues, and driver problems.
Windows Memory Diagnostic
Windows Memory Diagnostic is one of the better free memory testing programs available. You do not need Windows in order to test your memory with Windows Memory Diagnostic.
Windows Memory Diagnostic is one of the better free memory testing programs available. You do not need Windows in order to test your memory with Windows Memory Diagnostic.
Cain & Abel v4.9.29
Cain & Abel does a great job recovering passwords but if you have no way of getting in to your PC, you will not be able to use Cain & Abel to recover your password. You have to install Cain & Abel to use it.
Cain & Abel does a great job recovering passwords but if you have no way of getting in to your PC, you will not be able to use Cain & Abel to recover your password. You have to install Cain & Abel to use it.
Offline NT Password & Registry Editor
Offline NT Password & Registry Editor is one of the best Windows password recovery programs I've found. It's free, fast, and works with Windows Vista passwords and Windows XP passwords.
Offline NT Password & Registry Editor is one of the best Windows password recovery programs I've found. It's free, fast, and works with Windows Vista passwords and Windows XP passwords.
"How Do I Test the Power Supply in My Computer?"
Testing a power supply is an important step when troubleshooting many computer hardware issues. You can test a power supply manually using a multimeter or automatically with a power supply tester.
Testing a power supply is an important step when troubleshooting many computer hardware issues. You can test a power supply manually using a multimeter or automatically with a power supply tester.
Memtest86 v3.4a
Memtest86 is quite simply the best free memory test programs available today. Memtest86 is thorough, accurate, and extremely easy to use. Test RAM with Memtest86.
Memtest86 is quite simply the best free memory test programs available today. Memtest86 is thorough, accurate, and extremely easy to use. Test RAM with Memtest86.
KeyFinder Pro 2007
KeyFinder Pro 2007 is a completely free and very, very easy to use key finder program. Product keys for Windows and Office are found instantly.
KeyFinder Pro 2007 is a completely free and very, very easy to use key finder program. Product keys for Windows and Office are found instantly.
How to Remove Passwords Using PC Login Now
Complete guide to using PC Login Now. PC Login Now 2.0 is an easy, blazing fast, and 100% free password reset and password recovery program.
Complete guide to using PC Login Now. PC Login Now 2.0 is an easy, blazing fast, and 100% free password reset and password recovery program.
Step by Step Guide to Burning an ISO File to a CD or DVD
Writing an ISO file to a CD or DVD is easy with free ISO image burning software. This visual guide will help you write an ISO file to disc in Free Easy CD DVD Burner.
Writing an ISO file to a CD or DVD is easy with free ISO image burning software. This visual guide will help you write an ISO file to disc in Free Easy CD DVD Burner.
PC Login Now v2.0
The PC Login Now password cracker is the fastest free Windows password recovery tool that I've ever used. If you can click a few buttons with your mouse, you can hack into your computer.
The PC Login Now password cracker is the fastest free Windows password recovery tool that I've ever used. If you can click a few buttons with your mouse, you can hack into your computer.
"Where Can I Download Device Manager for Windows?"
Device Manager is a very useful Microsoft Windows utility. With Device Manager, you can disable hardware, update device drivers, resolve resource conflicts, and much more.
Device Manager is a very useful Microsoft Windows utility. With Device Manager, you can disable hardware, update device drivers, resolve resource conflicts, and much more.
"How Do I Test My Hard Drive for Problems?"
There are many ways to test a hard drive for problems. Strange noises from inside your PC and persistent errors are often times symptoms of a hard drive problem.
There are many ways to test a hard drive for problems. Strange noises from inside your PC and persistent errors are often times symptoms of a hard drive problem.
How to Burn an ISO Image File to a CD or DVD
What do you do with an ISO file once you've downloaded it? An ISO file is an image of a CD or DVD so to use it, you first need to burn it to a CD or DVD.
What do you do with an ISO file once you've downloaded it? An ISO file is an image of a CD or DVD so to use it, you first need to burn it to a CD or DVD.
How to Recover Passwords Using Ophcrack LiveCD
Complete guide to using Ophcrack LiveCD v2.0. Ophcrack LiveCD 2.0 is a completely self contained, bootable version of Ophcrack 3.0 - the easiest and most effective tool that I've ever found to crack a Windows password.
Complete guide to using Ophcrack LiveCD v2.0. Ophcrack LiveCD 2.0 is a completely self contained, bootable version of Ophcrack 3.0 - the easiest and most effective tool that I've ever found to crack a Windows password.
NewerTech USB 2.0 Universal Drive Adapter
The NewerTech USB 2.0 Universal Drive Adapter (Model NWTU2NVSPATA) is a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to connecting a hard drive or optical drive to your PC. No matter what format, just plug it in and go!
The NewerTech USB 2.0 Universal Drive Adapter (Model NWTU2NVSPATA) is a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to connecting a hard drive or optical drive to your PC. No matter what format, just plug it in and go!
Ophcrack
The Ophcrack Windows password cracker is by far the best among the free Windows password recovery tools available. It's fast and easy enough for a first time password cracker with a basic knowledge of Windows.
The Ophcrack Windows password cracker is by far the best among the free Windows password recovery tools available. It's fast and easy enough for a first time password cracker with a basic knowledge of Windows.
Seagate SeaTools
Seagate creates two hard drive testing software programs - SeaTools for DOS and SeaTools for Windows. While both diagnostic tools are excellent, they are different. SeaTools for DOS is more powerful but is difficult to run and only supports Seagate and Maxtor hard drives. SeaTools for Windows tests more drive brands and is much easier to install.
Seagate creates two hard drive testing software programs - SeaTools for DOS and SeaTools for Windows. While both diagnostic tools are excellent, they are different. SeaTools for DOS is more powerful but is difficult to run and only supports Seagate and Maxtor hard drives. SeaTools for Windows tests more drive brands and is much easier to install.
Speedtest.net
When it comes to Internet speed test sites, Speedtest.net tops them all without question. Speedtest.net combines a very long list of remote test servers with an easy to use and fun interface making it the best of the best when it's time to test your bandwidth.
When it comes to Internet speed test sites, Speedtest.net tops them all without question. Speedtest.net combines a very long list of remote test servers with an easy to use and fun interface making it the best of the best when it's time to test your bandwidth.
The Lamp Test
If you're troubleshooting a power issue with an outlet or a power strip but you don't have electrical diagnostic equipment at your disposal, this simple "lamp test" can verify if power is being provided.
If you're troubleshooting a power issue with an outlet or a power strip but you don't have electrical diagnostic equipment at your disposal, this simple "lamp test" can verify if power is being provided.
Top 2 Third Party Hard Drive Diagnostic Tools
In addition to free tools, some third party diagnostic software is available, for a cost, to help fix your hard drive woes.
In addition to free tools, some third party diagnostic software is available, for a cost, to help fix your hard drive woes.
Top 3 Internet Speed Test Sites
If your Internet connection seems slow, the first step is to actually benchmark it at an Internet speed test site. An Internet speed test can give you a fairly accurate indication of how fast your upload and download speeds are at the current time.
If your Internet connection seems slow, the first step is to actually benchmark it at an Internet speed test site. An Internet speed test can give you a fairly accurate indication of how fast your upload and download speeds are at the current time.
Top 4 Free Hard Drive Diagnostic Tools
There are many free software tools available to help you determine what, if anything, is wrong when you suspect there may be a problem with a hard drive.
There are many free software tools available to help you determine what, if anything, is wrong when you suspect there may be a problem with a hard drive.
Top 4 Free Memory Testing Software Tools
Memory testing tools are software programs that perform detailed tests of your computer's memory system. Testing your memory with a memory diagnostic program can often find small areas of damage that can cause big problems.
Memory testing tools are software programs that perform detailed tests of your computer's memory system. Testing your memory with a memory diagnostic program can often find small areas of damage that can cause big problems.
Top 4 Free Windows Password Recovery Tools
Password recovery tools are used to recover the passwords used to log on to Windows. Check out this list of the top free password recovery (password cracking) tools for Windows passwords.
Password recovery tools are used to recover the passwords used to log on to Windows. Check out this list of the top free password recovery (password cracking) tools for Windows passwords.
Top 6 Standalone Spyware Scanners
Software programs that act as spyware, adware and malware are notorious for causing computer slowdowns, lock-ups and other annoying PC problems in addition to stealing your private information. These tools can help remove what you might have installed now and prevent additional installations in the future.
Software programs that act as spyware, adware and malware are notorious for causing computer slowdowns, lock-ups and other annoying PC problems in addition to stealing your private information. These tools can help remove what you might have installed now and prevent additional installations in the future.
Top 7 Windows Antivirus Tools
Having a good antivirus program is absolutely a tool of basic necessity. These programs scan your computer and disable or remove any detected viruses. Not installing and using an antivirus program is an invitation for all sorts of PC problems.
Having a good antivirus program is absolutely a tool of basic necessity. These programs scan your computer and disable or remove any detected viruses. Not installing and using an antivirus program is an invitation for all sorts of PC problems.
Basic Computer Toolkit
If you're planning on doing any kind of regular PC hardware repair or upgrade work, you need a good computer toolkit with tools like miniature screw drivers, wire cutters, tweezers and more. Gareth Branwyn outlines everything you need in this great article.
If you're planning on doing any kind of regular PC hardware repair or upgrade work, you need a good computer toolkit with tools like miniature screw drivers, wire cutters, tweezers and more. Gareth Branwyn outlines everything you need in this great article.