handy tools and links.

looktall · 8th August 2002, 8:59 PM

HDD diagnostic, formating and recovery tools

seatools. hdd diagnostic tool from seagate.

disk wizard hdd formatting tools from seagate.

data lifeguard. hdd diagnostic tools from western digital. also formatting tools

drive fitness test. hdd diagnostic tools from Hitachi. also formatting tools.

pwrdiag hdd diagnostic tool from maxtor/quantum. also every download for all maxtor products..

Partition Saver freeware partition copy/backup tool.

Disk Investigator Freeware to undelete files, examine HDD at the raw sector level.

Ontrack Utilities Generic disk wizard program / diagnostics and data recovery.

cyberscrub military grade file deletion.

spinrite5 generic HDD diagnostics and recovery tool.

PC inspector freeware HDD data recovery tool, plus links to many other handy tools.

ultimate boot CD HDD diagnostic and management, memory testing plus more.

Spyware removal tools

spychecker.com various spyware detection and removal tools

spybot one of the best spyware removal tools currently available

ad-aware another one of the best spyware removal tools

hijack this and CWshredder browser hijack removers

alan.techconnect huge list of spyware removal tools, including some already listed above.

Memory testing tools

memtest86 memory testing tool.

memtest v2.0 memory testing tool.

goldmemory memory testing tool.

Benchmarking and stress testers

Sisoft Sandra a good information program, which can also benchtest components... this is the OCAU mirrored version.

Fresh Diagnose Benchmarking and stress testing Utility

prime95 all round system stress tester.

HD Tach physical performance hard drive test

Free anti-virus software

AVG free anti-virus

antivir free anti-virus

The Cleaner trojan detection and removal tool. 30 day trial.

RNAV this is not an antivirus, it is a tool for completely removing NAV 5 - 2003

General system tools

Belarc excellent tool for reading your system and reporting back things like hardware and installed software.

System Mechanic general all purpose fixer uper.

speedfan hardware monitoring software, that can report S.M.A.R.T info from supported HDD's.

Useful links

BIOS central comprehensive BIOS info, including beep codes and POST codes of all major BIOS manufacturers. (and some i've never heard of

)

File Libary - loads of helpful stuff

utility geeks thousands of tools available for download. including some of the ones already posted here.

shields up free internet security test.

answers that work list of common (and not so common) processes found in task manager.

please post links to more good diagnostic tools.

EDIT: tidied up the thread. thanks to those who posted links.

arkenstone · 15th October 2002, 10:22 PM

Just came across a good one.

http://help.powerup.com.au/

walks you through pretty much anything internet related in a pile of operating systems.

Also talks about a lot of old stuff which is handy when supporting users who still run 95 etc..

Ch00k · 15th October 2002, 10:28 PM

Under useful links,

www.bootdisk.com - heaps of boot disks (der

)

http://scan.sygatetech.com/pretcpscan.html - Security scan of the first 1024 TCP ports. Much more thorough than SheildsUp (even if a full scan can take up to 45 minutes)

simba · 23rd October 2002, 1:26 AM

Some pretty good links u guys got.

Try this for formatting seagate hdrvs. They even have a create bootable cd or disk option

http://www.seagate.com/support/disc/...s/discwiz.html

looktall · 23rd October 2002, 1:32 AM

thanks simba, but that is in fact the second tool i linked to.

snoopie · 6th November 2002, 3:48 PM

Free online network utilities - (i find this very handy

)

< http://www.hexillion.com/utilities/body.asp

boz · 10th November 2002, 8:09 AM

* Firstly I'd like to say I try to personally test (and check for viruses) all software I post, as long as it runs in w2k, so I usually know if it will be handy and best of all FREE. Everyone loves good, free software. No? *
==============================================
BHODemon - protects browser from unknown Browser Helper Objects (BHOs)
jv16 PowerTools 1.1.0.155
Freeware Pocket PC
WinLinux 2003 Free Version
MyIE2 my favourite browser.
PhoneDeck: flexible, lightweight addressbook
IP2. find LAN IPs
CPU-Z provides information on your CPU
ChangeDetection.com tool to keep web customers or your fans updated.
Hivelogic Email Address Encoder
Aignes Product - Some Freeware
Freeware Links by halfcut
Java Service Wrapper
Knoppix - Live Linux Filesystem On CD
Miha's Utilities
NGDiskCat 1.01 - disk cataloging tool
Teemz Discussion Systems the FREE Web-based discussion system.
WinDriversBackup backup your Windows driver files.
WoundedMoon Freeware programs that either went commercial after these versions or were discontinued, or are hard to find or just plain good.
XP-AntiSpy is a little utility that let's you disable some built-in update and authetication 'features' in WindowsXP. boz: most of the options appear to work in w2k as well.
Gallery Wizard Great little graphics utility. Check it out.
Freeskills Looking to learn new IT skills to aid in your current job, check out Freeskills.
TutorGig The only bookmark you need for tutorials
Homepagetools A unique selection of tools to improve and add interactivity to your website.
AppletSoup 1.0 Create dazling webpage animations without writing line of code
WinMorph high performance morphing and warping software
InstallWatch and InstallRite
Mayang's Free Textures v6.5 Over 750 totally free to use textures, and more every release!
RegShot registry compare utility
Hnet Info Hnet Info Processor provides detailed information about processor or procesors
DiskSpeed32 Graphical HDD performance tester.
Computer Profiler More than 200 interesting facts about your computer.
AceMoney AceMoney is a personal finance manager.
Virtual drum machine This thing is FREE and sounds as good as any drum box.
The anti-leech leecher You want to use a download manager, but first you need the address.
SpywareBlaster SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from ever being installed.
Eraser completely remove data from hard drive by overwriting it several times with carefully selected patterns.
Invision Power Board Invision Power Board is completely free forum software for both personal and commercial use, no catches, no "spyware", no hidden costs anywhere.
RD Tech Toolbox Heaps of computer and software tips and tricks. Check it out.
Fli4l Fli4l is a single floppy Linux-based ISDN, DSL and Ethernet-Router.
PRR Video Utilities This homepage provides You some utilities, that make watching video clips more enjoyable.
Swat It scans your files for Trojans, Worms, Bots and other Hacker programs
NetRun 'RUN' a 'List' of programs only when a internet connection is detected, and close/kill them when the connection is lost
2Sync The most dynamic and visual personal desktop organizer.
SmartBee Everything from Murphy's laws, Devil's Dictionary, myths, jokes, computer mimics, facts, stories, Hacker Jargon File, Deep Thoughts and not to forget - quotes from famous people
LeechGet LeechGet was designed as a fast, comfortable and also powerful download manager, providing all capabilities you need to download files from the Internet quicker and simpler than ever.
Folder Style Folder Style is an easy to use and unique shell enchantment utility. Use this tool to apply different icons to individual Windows folders, make every folder different from others.
IECookiesView IECookiesView is a small utility that displays the details of all cookies that Internet Explorer stores on your computer.Includes many functions for editing cookies.
STGThumb Need to make an HTML Album with high-quality thumbnails?
Want smaller photo files? Using STGThumb it's fast and easy to do this and much more.
Rename Master FREE utility for renaming large groups of files with a few clicks. Anyone that has worked with websites, file archives, or collections of music, videos, or pictures has probably spent way too much time renaming hundreds of files.
ID-Blaster PLUS In Windows, many applications have something called a "product ID number", a "GUID" or a "Unique ID number". These numbers may be a security risk, in that you can be tracked on the internet. This free app can change or eliminate GUIDs from any software on your system that may be displaying one.
WyvernWorks Firewall If you connect to the Internet, whether through a dial up (Modem) or a broadband (DSL, Cable, Satellite) connection, your computer is always at risk of unauthorized intrusions from hackers all over the world!

boz

sen · 11th November 2002, 4:07 PM

BurnInTest

http://www.passmark.com/

30 Day Shareware (15min testing limit)

Pretty popular tool for testing new boxes at puter stores.

eyeLikeCarrots · 23rd November 2002, 6:41 AM

this one has saved my butt a few times

www.bootdisk.com

and that BHO Demon is just what I've been looking for!

Soandso · 13th January 2003, 12:15 AM

analogx.com has heaps of nice programs

dantheman65 · 1st February 2003, 2:27 PM

Get Data Back - Absolutely perfect data recovery software. Will recover data flawlessly from deleted partitions, of different types, formatted numerous times. Even saw old old data from monthes back.

DJ-Studd · 2nd July 2003, 1:10 AM

http://www.tolvanen.com/eraser/
Eraser - "Eraser is a secure data removal tool, which allows you to remove sensitive data from your hard drive by overwriting it with carefully selected patterns."

The data removal techniques that Eraser uses conform with some NSA standards or something along those lines.

Great freeware program for killing off any data you don't want found.

SchRAMBO · 2nd July 2003, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Great freeware program for killing off any data you don't want found.

I think you mean that its OSS (Open Source Software) lisenced under GNU.

I too have just discovered this very good data remover. ideal for formatting hdd's before seling or whatnot.

deepspring · 26th July 2003, 11:55 PM

Some good free programs that I have found very very useful over time.

The Gimp 1.2.5 (w32) - The best OpenSource image editor around
IrfanView - Image viewer / converter / batch processor
Dev-PHP - A small, easy to use PHP Development Environment
GVIM 6.2 (w32) - Probably the best programmers editor/tool every written.
BloodShed Dev-C++ - A complete C/C++ Development Environment
Sodipodi - OpenSource Illustration / Drawing program
SysInternals site - lots of free goodies, namely TCPView.
Spybot Search & Destroy - The ultimate anti-spyware program.
QCad - OpenSource CAD program
XChat - A great IRC client that ISN'T mIRC...
RealVNC - Remote admistration program
Kerio Personal Firewall 2 (free for home use) - Very very good free firewall, leaves ZoneAlarm in its wake
Alwil Avast 4 Home Edition - A decent fully featured free antivirus solution
Blender - A professional quality 3D modelling program
Trillian Free Edition - Think AIM/ICQ/IRC/MSN/Yahoo all in one...

There are a crap load more but I am struggling to remember the site address and the names of some of them, so the above list will do for now.

Jenova · 27th July 2003, 9:01 PM

u missed one
stress test = toast and
which it better prime 95 or prime 98???

8th August 2002, 8:59 PM	#1
looktall Working Class Hero Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: morley.wa.au Posts: 18,002	handy tools and links. HDD diagnostic, formating and recovery tools seatools. hdd diagnostic tool from seagate. disk wizard hdd formatting tools from seagate. data lifeguard. hdd diagnostic tools from western digital. also formatting tools drive fitness test. hdd diagnostic tools from Hitachi. also formatting tools. pwrdiag hdd diagnostic tool from maxtor/quantum. also every download for all maxtor products.. Partition Saver freeware partition copy/backup tool. Disk Investigator Freeware to undelete files, examine HDD at the raw sector level. Ontrack Utilities Generic disk wizard program / diagnostics and data recovery. cyberscrub military grade file deletion. spinrite5 generic HDD diagnostics and recovery tool. PC inspector freeware HDD data recovery tool, plus links to many other handy tools. ultimate boot CD HDD diagnostic and management, memory testing plus more. Spyware removal tools spychecker.com various spyware detection and removal tools spybot one of the best spyware removal tools currently available ad-aware another one of the best spyware removal tools hijack this and CWshredder browser hijack removers alan.techconnect huge list of spyware removal tools, including some already listed above. Memory testing tools memtest86 memory testing tool. memtest v2.0 memory testing tool. goldmemory memory testing tool. Benchmarking and stress testers Sisoft Sandra a good information program, which can also benchtest components... this is the OCAU mirrored version. Fresh Diagnose Benchmarking and stress testing Utility prime95 all round system stress tester. HD Tach physical performance hard drive test Free anti-virus software AVG free anti-virus antivir free anti-virus The Cleaner trojan detection and removal tool. 30 day trial. RNAV this is not an antivirus, it is a tool for completely removing NAV 5 - 2003 General system tools Belarc excellent tool for reading your system and reporting back things like hardware and installed software. System Mechanic general all purpose fixer uper. speedfan hardware monitoring software, that can report S.M.A.R.T info from supported HDD's. Useful links BIOS central comprehensive BIOS info, including beep codes and POST codes of all major BIOS manufacturers. (and some i've never heard of ) File Libary - loads of helpful stuff utility geeks thousands of tools available for download. including some of the ones already posted here. shields up free internet security test. answers that work list of common (and not so common) processes found in task manager. please post links to more good diagnostic tools. EDIT: tidied up the thread. thanks to those who posted links. __________________ JoJoker endorses this product and/or comment. Last edited by HyRax1; 22nd February 2013 at 11:14 AM. Reason: Updated Drive Fitness Test link.

15th October 2002, 10:22 PM	#2
arkenstone Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: seaford.vic.au Posts: 1,152	Just came across a good one. http://help.powerup.com.au/ walks you through pretty much anything internet related in a pile of operating systems. Also talks about a lot of old stuff which is handy when supporting users who still run 95 etc.. __________________ Bringing the love back to forum 48. Non Smoker since 8/5/07 - 3 MONTHS! Jaguar Owners Club \| OCAU Mercedes Owners Club OZBENZ - the Australian Veteran Mercedes Forum flickr Last edited by arkenstone; 22nd October 2002 at 4:57 PM.

15th October 2002, 10:28 PM	#3
Ch00k Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,404	Under useful links, www.bootdisk.com - heaps of boot disks (der ) http://scan.sygatetech.com/pretcpscan.html - Security scan of the first 1024 TCP ports. Much more thorough than SheildsUp (even if a full scan can take up to 45 minutes) __________________ -- Chicken

23rd October 2002, 1:26 AM	#4
simba Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 13	seagate utils Some pretty good links u guys got. Try this for formatting seagate hdrvs. They even have a create bootable cd or disk option http://www.seagate.com/support/disc/...s/discwiz.html

23rd October 2002, 1:32 AM	#5
looktall Working Class Hero Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: morley.wa.au Posts: 18,002	thanks simba, but that is in fact the second tool i linked to. __________________ JoJoker endorses this product and/or comment.

6th November 2002, 3:48 PM	#6
snoopie Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,152	Free online network utilities - (i find this very handy ) < http://www.hexillion.com/utilities/body.asp __________________ Don't use a big word where a diminutive one will suffice. Traders List.... (circa September 2003)

10th November 2002, 8:09 AM	#7
boz (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Sth Brisbane, Just Perfect. Posts: 2,782	FreeSoft 6.04.03 * Firstly I'd like to say I try to personally test (and check for viruses) all software I post, as long as it runs in w2k, so I usually know if it will be handy and best of all FREE. Everyone loves good, free software. No? * ============================================== BHODemon - protects browser from unknown Browser Helper Objects (BHOs) jv16 PowerTools 1.1.0.155 Freeware Pocket PC WinLinux 2003 Free Version MyIE2 my favourite browser. PhoneDeck: flexible, lightweight addressbook IP2. find LAN IPs CPU-Z provides information on your CPU ChangeDetection.com tool to keep web customers or your fans updated. Hivelogic Email Address Encoder Aignes Product - Some Freeware Freeware Links by halfcut Java Service Wrapper Knoppix - Live Linux Filesystem On CD Miha's Utilities NGDiskCat 1.01 - disk cataloging tool Teemz Discussion Systems the FREE Web-based discussion system. WinDriversBackup backup your Windows driver files. WoundedMoon Freeware programs that either went commercial after these versions or were discontinued, or are hard to find or just plain good. XP-AntiSpy is a little utility that let's you disable some built-in update and authetication 'features' in WindowsXP. boz: most of the options appear to work in w2k as well. Gallery Wizard Great little graphics utility. Check it out. Freeskills Looking to learn new IT skills to aid in your current job, check out Freeskills. TutorGig The only bookmark you need for tutorials Homepagetools A unique selection of tools to improve and add interactivity to your website. AppletSoup 1.0 Create dazling webpage animations without writing line of code WinMorph high performance morphing and warping software InstallWatch and InstallRite Mayang's Free Textures v6.5 Over 750 totally free to use textures, and more every release! RegShot registry compare utility Hnet Info Hnet Info Processor provides detailed information about processor or procesors DiskSpeed32 Graphical HDD performance tester. Computer Profiler More than 200 interesting facts about your computer. AceMoney AceMoney is a personal finance manager. Virtual drum machine This thing is FREE and sounds as good as any drum box. The anti-leech leecher You want to use a download manager, but first you need the address. SpywareBlaster SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from ever being installed. Eraser completely remove data from hard drive by overwriting it several times with carefully selected patterns. Invision Power Board Invision Power Board is completely free forum software for both personal and commercial use, no catches, no "spyware", no hidden costs anywhere. RD Tech Toolbox Heaps of computer and software tips and tricks. Check it out. Fli4l Fli4l is a single floppy Linux-based ISDN, DSL and Ethernet-Router. PRR Video Utilities This homepage provides You some utilities, that make watching video clips more enjoyable. Swat It scans your files for Trojans, Worms, Bots and other Hacker programs NetRun 'RUN' a 'List' of programs only when a internet connection is detected, and close/kill them when the connection is lost 2Sync The most dynamic and visual personal desktop organizer. SmartBee Everything from Murphy's laws, Devil's Dictionary, myths, jokes, computer mimics, facts, stories, Hacker Jargon File, Deep Thoughts and not to forget - quotes from famous people LeechGet LeechGet was designed as a fast, comfortable and also powerful download manager, providing all capabilities you need to download files from the Internet quicker and simpler than ever. Folder Style Folder Style is an easy to use and unique shell enchantment utility. Use this tool to apply different icons to individual Windows folders, make every folder different from others. IECookiesView IECookiesView is a small utility that displays the details of all cookies that Internet Explorer stores on your computer.Includes many functions for editing cookies. STGThumb Need to make an HTML Album with high-quality thumbnails? Want smaller photo files? Using STGThumb it's fast and easy to do this and much more. Rename Master FREE utility for renaming large groups of files with a few clicks. Anyone that has worked with websites, file archives, or collections of music, videos, or pictures has probably spent way too much time renaming hundreds of files. ID-Blaster PLUS In Windows, many applications have something called a "product ID number", a "GUID" or a "Unique ID number". These numbers may be a security risk, in that you can be tracked on the internet. This free app can change or eliminate GUIDs from any software on your system that may be displaying one. WyvernWorks Firewall If you connect to the Internet, whether through a dial up (Modem) or a broadband (DSL, Cable, Satellite) connection, your computer is always at risk of unauthorized intrusions from hackers all over the world! boz Last edited by boz; 6th April 2003 at 12:03 PM.

11th November 2002, 4:07 PM	#8
sen Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Victoria Posts: 488	BurnInTest http://www.passmark.com/ 30 Day Shareware (15min testing limit) Pretty popular tool for testing new boxes at puter stores.

23rd November 2002, 6:41 AM	#9
eyeLikeCarrots Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canberra Is Shit Sex: Yes Posts: 3,812	this one has saved my butt a few times www.bootdisk.com and that BHO Demon is just what I've been looking for! __________________ All your Carrotine are belong to me! \| Big O notation has nothing to do with Roy Orbison... Its not 'your' Internet! \| Follow me my children & FUM$ \| [Agg edit] count = 1 Internet Champion - fallen_dragon said so!

13th January 2003, 12:15 AM	#10
Soandso Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 479	analogx.com has heaps of nice programs

1st February 2003, 2:27 PM	#11
dantheman65 Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Melbourne. Posts: 3,846	Get Data Back - Absolutely perfect data recovery software. Will recover data flawlessly from deleted partitions, of different types, formatted numerous times. Even saw old old data from monthes back. __________________ Trades List: JeffK, MEX, click_head, joshconno, kimsj0123, mickeylieu, Rickster, Sadant, Scandrew, wazza, ZNIPA-X (x2), krayzeee, Murder1, Maximus666, Parthi, Inquisitor69, kraniX, joey.w, ShadowPeo, mifferz, ASSmatic, muze7, 5days, Bman2, Gumby.One, ccwd, nathantauber,AgentVX, kitwalker, Seeker, dug777, nothing111, eat, renegade_gold, MonoJoker, zoiks, gmturner, TX3, eversuns, SilverTongue, Porky_123, MaximusSmurf, Mr_LeE, Buubox.

2nd July 2003, 1:10 AM	#12
DJ-Studd Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,643	http://www.tolvanen.com/eraser/ Eraser - "Eraser is a secure data removal tool, which allows you to remove sensitive data from your hard drive by overwriting it with carefully selected patterns." The data removal techniques that Eraser uses conform with some NSA standards or something along those lines. Great freeware program for killing off any data you don't want found. __________________ http://www.djstudd.com - Primary PC \| Secondary PC \| Firewall successful purchases: faktor, fyreblade, pappasmurf, chuna, cele98, smick707, dadust2, anthonyl, tangcla, worlok, cryogenic, gibbon, iconoclast, weeroonah, gizmo_melb, draxx, drunkborg successful sales: xenon, narcolepsy, yotka, eurismo

26th July 2003, 11:55 PM	#14
deepspring Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: No Where Posts: 3,244	Some good free programs that I have found very very useful over time. The Gimp 1.2.5 (w32) - The best OpenSource image editor around IrfanView - Image viewer / converter / batch processor Dev-PHP - A small, easy to use PHP Development Environment GVIM 6.2 (w32) - Probably the best programmers editor/tool every written. BloodShed Dev-C++ - A complete C/C++ Development Environment Sodipodi - OpenSource Illustration / Drawing program SysInternals site - lots of free goodies, namely TCPView. Spybot Search & Destroy - The ultimate anti-spyware program. QCad - OpenSource CAD program XChat - A great IRC client that ISN'T mIRC... RealVNC - Remote admistration program Kerio Personal Firewall 2 (free for home use) - Very very good free firewall, leaves ZoneAlarm in its wake Alwil Avast 4 Home Edition - A decent fully featured free antivirus solution Blender - A professional quality 3D modelling program Trillian Free Edition - Think AIM/ICQ/IRC/MSN/Yahoo all in one... There are a crap load more but I am struggling to remember the site address and the names of some of them, so the above list will do for now. Last edited by deepspring; 27th July 2003 at 12:09 AM.

27th July 2003, 9:01 PM	#15
Jenova Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Perth Posts: 589	u missed one stress test = toast and which it better prime 95 or prime 98???