Hardware Information
FCC ID Search If you have computer parts that you can't identify the manufacturer or model number of, use this FCC ID Search page to find out who made the part. Almost all parts have an FCC ID sticker on them, and the unique ID number identifies the manufacturer and model of your unknown part.Hardware and Software Support List This alphabetical list of hardware and software vendors contains their phone numbers and web site addresses and is Microsoft's list of compatible hardware and software vendors. If you need tech support for your hardware or software this list will tell you where to go or call.
Hardware Pricing - This is Pricewatch where the current price at many retailers on computer equipment, electronics, and software is listed in a manner which makes it easy to find the lowest price on what you're looking for. I've shopped through them in the past and was very satisfied with the retailers they lead me to.
PC Build mailing list - This is a quote from their front page: "PCBUILD is a mailing list devoted to people interested in building, upgrading and repairing personal computers in the PC format." This is a computer hardware discussion list that I've been a member of for a long time. They have many good members who are able to answer your questions, and the list is moderated which means there are no flame wars and insults allowed. Any level of computer user can benefit from belonging to this list and any level of computer user can be found using it.
Hard drives
Motherboards
Motherboards.org This site is the premier site for finding out about motherboards. It has reviews, ratings, and all kinds of information. Be sure to check out their Forums, they have quite a few, and can help you with your motherboard problems. They also have most motherboard manuals for download.Freeware
Pricelessware - Contents The Pricelessware list is a compilation of software collected through a yearly vote by the participants of the "alt.comp.freeware" newsgroup. It is a list of what people have voted as "the best of the best in Freeware".
SnapFiles - software reviews, download freeware and free trial programs Just like the link says, they have freeware and free trial software.
"Freeware Home is an indexed collection of FREE programs commonly found on the Internet around the globe that match the following definitions:
» freeware
- Free software, often written by enthusiasts and distributed by users'
groups, or via electronic mail, local bulletin boards, Usenet, or other
electronic media.
» open source - Term appeared in March 1998
following the Mozilla release to describe software distributed in
source under licenses guaranteeing anybody rights to freely use,
modify, and redistribute, the code.
» shareware is NOT free.
There is one form of shareware that is free for non-commercial use. It
meets our definition of Freeware for individuals and is included in our
collection."
All the previous is a quote from their home page, and
there is indeed a lot of freeware to be had on this site.
Freeware Files
This
is another freeware collection site and appears to have an ample
selection of free software for you to download and enjoy.
Freeware Guide
Yet
another freeware collection site. Follow the category links in the left
column to find what you want.
Only
Freeware is another freeware
download site. Scroll down past the big pictures at the top of the page
to reach the category links.
Try the following Free Software Search from Google Gadgets.
Computing Tips and Tutorials
These are mostly Windows related tips and tutorials above.Comparing Windows and Ubuntu Linux
The link above is to a comparison between Windows and Ubuntu that I wrote.Linux downloads and documentation
This is where you want to go if you are interested in trying out Linux. There will also be troubleshooting links on this page.Live CD List
The above page is a very extensive list of "Live CDs", which are bootable CDs that you can use on your system to do a variety of things, including installing operating systems, troubleshooting and fixing your system, gaming, science applications, medical applications, development, security, and many other categories. These are mostly Linux based, but there are a few Windows, DOS, BSD, and Solaris based CDs as well. There are currently 315 CDs listed, most of which are free to download and use, but there are a few commercial ones you need to buy.Buying OEM versions of Windows Vista: the facts This page goes into detail about what an OEM version of Windows is, and what you can use it for.
Troubleshooting and Fixing Windows
Troubleshooting Tools for Windows XP
Windows XP SP3 installation
Everything you ever wanted to know about installing Service Pack 3 to Windows XP.Why Dual Boot?
This page discusses the reasons to have more than one operating sytem on your machine.Where to go to get help
The above link is to resources where you can get help with your computer problems.Like
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