Tools and Resources to help diagnose your own problems

I think it's about time we post some of the resources we use to find those answers to computer questions when we don't know the answers right off hand.

Here's one of the sites I use pretty often when people ask "what is this process" or "what does this process do?"

http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/processlibrary/

LOL - how could I forget this one...

http://www.google.com/

Google is definitely our friend :-)

Too many people also forget that we have a downloads section here on TechSpot with some very useful stuff in it.

TechSpot OpenBoards - Guides and Solved Issues (http://www.techspot.com/vb/menu31.html) :)

So let's update this! To help identify processes running in the Task Manager and those you may also see on the Startup tab of the msconfig utility, the following site will not only help with the identification but will also recommend whether it needs to be running.

http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm

The site informs you where to look in your system if there is any question that it could be malware. Identifying and stopping unnecessary processes from running is one of the best ways to troubleshoot a slow computer.

Google.com!

I have used this since W98se.I seem to make the right removals but if you
don't know what it is,locate it and read it propertys.
Right now i have 20 that are checked.The first 20.

I show 1 application running in ctrl/alt/del.
It's called TechSpot.:wave:

Another place to check is the Start Menu/Programs/Startup.
Some will sneek in there and slow down Bootup.
I also notice in some posted snapshots a very crowded Taskbar.
I think this is totally uneccesary for most,I have the clock,the volume controls
My PVR and my Virus protection.
I have XP Home,SP2.Direct x 9.0c latest patched,May 2007.No name change.
Microsoft.com not Windows update.
Please include your OS in this Topic.

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2005/041105-windows-crash.html

EXTREMELY helpful information.

http://www.freshdevices.com/blog/?p=42

Download manager,
Diagnoser,
Tweaker,
and multimedia manager.

Remember to only DL the stuff with a fresh at the start, otherwise, it has a lot of text ads.

"Another place to check is the Start Menu/Programs/Startup." (Zipperman)

This reminds me to ask why my Startup folder is empty? Why doesn't it list my startup programs? (13 in all).

Most Startup programs belong to the System, not the User.
If you want a program to run when YOU login, copy a shortcut to it
into your profile area
\Docs & Settings\yourlogin\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

The Start button->programs->Startup will then show these programs :)

I use a multi-utility program called The Ultimate Troubleshooter from answersthatwork.com. I can gain access to everything I need in the system through it. TUT keeps the 'startup folder' empty- the Startups can be handled either through TUT or using the msconfig utility. I only have the AV program, touchpad for the laptop and network process on startup-none show in the Startup folder.

Good to know, thanks guys!

Cool new resource! This newbie just installed a webcam. It's working fine... I think. I'd like to try it out in a respectable chatroom. Any suggestions?

Hello,
I Brought new motherboard from ASUS motherboard p$ core 2 duo Sata120gb Hdd when I tried to install Windows Xp Professional Sp2 Blue screen display comes and windows shutdown to avoid damage your computer chechek newly attached hardware Disable bios catching VGA.SYS massage appear .
Kindly help

Thanking you in advance
Regards

Manichandra

"Another place to check is the Start Menu/Programs/Startup." (Zipperman)

This reminds me to ask why my Startup folder is empty? Why doesn't it list my startup programs? (13 in all).

You would have too many things running.It's not for that.
I use mine for T Clock for example.
Don't get carried away with "multitasking" Do 1 or 2 things at a time manually.
:)