10 Free, Essential Computer Fix-It Tools

Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:07PM EDT

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The ever-useful Lifehacker comes through with a collection of utilities, all of which are free, perfect for setting up a handful of recovery CDs and USB drives for use in case of emergency. And when it comes to PCs, there's always some emergency or another looming in the not-too-distant future.

The site mentions a total of 10 utilities, and I've written about a few of them before (GParted, Windows/Office Key Recovery). But some are entirely new to me, and I've gobbled them up. Here are some of my favorites:

The USB PC Repair Kit is a great idea: A collection of 37 utilities for fixing common Windows and other PC problems all designed to fit on a 32MB USB thumbdrive. If you've been using computers for any length of time, you probably have dozens of these nearly useless, tiny thumbdrives lying unused in drawers.  They're too small to use for data storage, so why not find a good use for them as emergency gadgets?

System Information for Windows provides all sorts of data about your PC that would be difficult to come by in other ways. It doesn't really fix anything, but it does provide a wealth of useful information about your computer.

Judging from the emails I get, many of you lose your passwords more often than you ought to. If you're locked out of your computer because you lost the Administrator password, Ophcrack Live CD can help you out. Use with caution, as it's not for the timid. And be warned: It's over 400MB to download.

Ultimate Boot CD is a monster utility I've used for years. It's an essential tool with a huge range of features that every PC owner should keep a copy of. Also a big download, about 107MB.

Mac users aren't left out either, as a couple of utilities are available for the taking. (I haven't tried them out as I don't have a Mac on my desk right now, but they certainly look useful.)

Give them a try today before you start having computer problems.

LINK: Free Computer System Recovery Tools

Comments on 10 Free, Essential Computer Fix-It Tools

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  • 6 Posted by cowboy_at_the_falls on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    what rot! what people really want is a good all-in-one tool for spyware, anti-virus, system repair, registry repair and deleting temp files. It's fast, it's easy, it's called Advanced Windows Care Personal, and it's free from download.com

  • 8 Posted by bidiwala123@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    Need some help. I have a CD/DVD combo drive. Pre-recorded videos & audio CDs/DVDs play fine. When I put a blank CD or DVD to burn pictures or to copy movie on to DVD the computer shuts down and starts re-booting again. I have been working with HP help center for last one month but to no use. They have done everything but were not able to fix the problem. Quite frustrating. Replaced the drive with new one sent by HP, still the same. I am using SONIC software that came with the computer. Any advise for me. Thanks in advance

  • 9 Posted by deppressedmonkey@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:41PM EDT Report Abuse

    Maybe the Sonic software is messed up? Infected? I have a Sonic burning software too that came with my computer. But my computer is a Dell. I had problems like that too, but then my cousin bought me a new dvd combo drive and everything is alright =).Oh yeah, maybe your discs have problems. My discs wouldn't work anymore after I tried to burn stuff on em with the old cd burner drive.

  • 11 Posted by undermyhats on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    I know this sounds petty but......On my desktop all my icons I need there turn into "e's" as in the Internet Explorer "e". It would be nicer if the actual shortcut had the correct icon, like a " google icon for google ". Nothing I do can fix this? IE is not my deafault browser either? Help.

  • 12 Posted by rlbrowning53 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have DSL, but now it is slower than dial up..have cleared history..temp files and scanned computer files for everything..my provider says the trouble is on my end..have checked all connections several time..any advice ?

  • 13 Posted by princesssavyj on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    Hi I recently updated a bunch of stuff from Microsoft and when my computer restarted it took my files to open Windows {XP Pro} I lost everything! I counldn't even run a new OS I had to get a 98 floppy and run it in dos to restore my hard drive. What a mess!

  • 14 Posted by gmtaylorbr549 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    My computer is real slow to shut-down I cleaned up disc and defrag, but nothing works. Any ideas or suggestions

  • 15 Posted by eamd@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    Nothing about spyware or viruses, so this is not really useful. A must is Spybot search and Destroy and a updated antivirus. In case of infection, turn off system restore and proceed to clean up from safe mode. For system maintenance is recommended defragmentation and disc clean up, also after three months, erase your system restore check ups, simply turning off and on system restore and then defragment.

  • 16 Posted by pamjoetx on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    If your DSl line is slow check your virus software. If you are using McAfee that is the reason. Check out the user forum on their website, it is loaded with complaints like yours. I just removed it from my computer and am back up to speed. Downloaded Alwil for free and it is great.

  • 18 Posted by ary_rapid on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    please tell where can i find (4 free) microsoft bus driver? i need it very urgent! many thanks!!!

  • 19 Posted by vinniekhosla on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    Ok, I believe I have a low level Virus which takes root at bootup before the operating system loads. I am using XP Pro. First all my services stopped working. I had no choice but to boot from XP CD, and do a repair. It worked absolutely fine till I shut down a few times and re-booted. Now it won't even load windows, or run the repair CD or run checkdsk. Is there some low level Virus utility which checks the MBR and starts up in DOS before XP starts loading, to clean it up. Thanks, Vinnie

  • 20 Posted by davekat_craigslist on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:37PM EDT Report Abuse

    Buy a Mac. I was a diehard Windows user for years, until 2 years ago when I bought a G5. I have never had any problems with it, and I'm a heavy, heavy user (and an incessant internet junkie). I don't even run an antivirus or spyware program. Everything is literally plug and play, and most devices can be hot-swapped.

  • 21 Posted by maxxstor on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    how do I get of adware once and for all,

  • 22 Posted by the1much on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    most problems with slow start up and shut down are from the programs running in the background,go to "run",, type in "msconfig" and hit the "services" tab,on bottom of that window check the box that says "hide microsoft services",,them are mostly essential,,i think lol., then uncheck all those services left,,but try unchecking 1 at a time,,to make sure things running right,,if after unchecking one things go yucky,,,then check it and move on

  • 23 Posted by fredx111 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    I down loaded yahoo messenger and I could not access the web until I uninstalled the "messenger". Does any one know why.??? Is it because I live in the US and I am currently in China and that is where I tried to download the messenger.???

  • 24 Posted by staffsgtsam on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    Installed new sound card, but head-phones do n ot have sound. What is the problem or waht should I do.?

  • 25 Posted by roxasbelinda on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    to #23, fredx111.. i have the same problem with the YM so i just use the webchat by YM instead of downloading it... i don't think it has to do with where you are. I live in the Netherlands. Some people i know have the same problem.

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