Your Favourite Techie Tip

[TechPro]

I was thinking we should put together a thread of everyones favourite tips, they use when repairing computers.

i.e

software for doing certain things.
batch files people have writen.
favourite freeware
hardware tips
reg tweaks
etc


one of my favourites is these commands to resolve problems with peoples internet/network connections.

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
netsh int ip
reset resetlog.txt

I put it in a batch file and run it on the users machine. It resets the tcp/ip protocol.

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another one is to defrag your pagefile and registry using:

PageDefrag (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/FileAndDisk/PageDefrag.mspx)

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a free piece of drive imaging software:

Drive XML (http://www.runtime.org/dixml.htm)

Really quick and free!!

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46 Best Free Utilities:

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best_46_free_utilities.htm

really good website when you need a freeware tool!!

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I could go on...but it would be good for everyone to share there favourite tweaks and tips!!!

[Bryce W]

A Bootable CD-Rom operating system loaded with computer repair tools. Invaluable for recovering XP installations that wont boot or recovering data before a format.

http://www.ubcd4win.com/


Unstoppable Copier, allows you to copy files from one source to another. However, unlike Windows it wont stop when it comes across a corrupt or file that is in use. Useful when rescuing data from damaged harddrives.

http://www.roadkil.net/unstopcp.html

[TechPro]

I like the sound of the Unstoppable Copier will have to look at that.

Fix your own printer

www.fixyourownprinter.com

Dont throw it away have a go at fixing it.

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Use your keyboard as a mouse, if the mouse is broken.

To turn them on:

Alt+Left shift key and the Num Lock key

You can now use the num keys to control the mouse pointer

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Has a user lost their password for dial up or emails and you need to format machine and reinstall all software? you can uncover the dial passoword using this tool:

http://www.lostpassword.com/asterisk.htm

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[TechPro]

Common XP Problems:

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/kbase/WindowsTips/WindowsXP/UserTips/TroubleShooting/WindowsXPCommonProblemsandGotchas.html

[Bryce W]

I use Dial-A-Fix a bit, its an amazing tool:
http://www.technibble.com/repair-tool-of-the-week-dial-a-fix/

Be sure to have a Windows disk handy though because it sometimes needs it if you are reinstalling IE or Outlook.

[Stealth]

For when I just need to boot a computer from scratch:

www.bootdisk.com . Best bootdisk and boot-image collection there is.

[TechPro]

Four Reg hacks to speed up XP:

Reg Hacks (http://downloads.techrepublic.com.com/download.aspx?docid=173620)

[TechPro]

Check to see if you can run a certain game:

Can your computer run that game? (http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/referrer/srtest)

Brilliant for testing pcs to make sure they can run a game before you or your client goes out and buys it!

[gween2]

And I like...uh...hitting ATL + TAB to switch between windows, sorry its the only trick a computer wizard taught me one time in High School.

[Mac]

Yeah i have used Unstoppable Copier a few times. Its great for scratched cds etc. Well worth the download. :)