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PC Admin/Service Common Links and Utilities

These are technical/PC related links I’ve collected from various sources including Mind Of Root, Podnutz, MikeTechShow, TechVets, Technibble, as well as others.
PLEASE tell me about any bad/dead links, incorrect info, or really bad spelling, Thank You
Antivirus Packages:
Antivirus Rescue or Boot-Disks:
Archive Utilities:
Audio/Video Utilities and Programs:
  • Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds(note: I’ve found the 1.3 beta to be stable and more advanced)
  • Format Factory is a free media converter(note: with the most interesting/confusing interface)
  • Handbrake will convert video (including VOB) files to different formats including iPod presets
  • IrfanView is a very popular (and free) imageviewer
  • VirtualDub is a video capture/processing utility(this has been hit and miss with me, stability-wise, but works well as a utility, that can change formats,codecs,apply filters, and generally is usefull to have in your video bag of tricks
  • VLC media player is a highly portable multimedia player
Backup Services:
Backup utilities:
  • Allway Sync is a free file and folder synchronization software for Windows
  • Clonezilla allows you to do bare metal backup and recovery
  • DriveImage XML is free for home use and can be used as a plugin on BartPE and UBCD4WIN
  • Karen’s Replicator copies selected files from one drive/folder to another. Source and Destination folders can reside anywhere on your network. Includes scheduling
  • SyncBack Back-up utility
  • SyncToy File Synchronizer
Boot CD’s:
  • Bart’s Preinstalled Environment(BartPE) creates a bootable live windows CD/DVD
  • Knoppix Live CD for booting into Linux and performing hard drive operations
  • SystemRescueCd is “a Linux system rescue disk available as a bootable CD-ROM or USB stick for administrating or repairing your system and data after a crash”
  • Spotmau power suite is a bootable WinPE environment, but is not free
  • Ultimate Boot CD boots in a DOS type environment with utility programs
  • Ultimate Boot CD for Windows is a bootable recovery CD that contains software used for repairing, restoring, or diagnosing almost any computer problem
CD/DVD/ISO Utilities (burners, ISO creators, etc….)
  • Active@ ISO Burner is a freeware application that will allow you to burn an ISO image file to CD, DVD, HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc
  • BurnCDCC is “used to burn an ISO file to a CD/DVD/BD disc”
  • CDBurnerXP is “a free application to burn CDs and DVDs”
  • ImgBurn is “a lightweight CD / DVD / HD DVD / Blu-ray burning application”
  • Folder2Iso just creates an iso from any kind of folder (with the subfolders)
  • LC ISO Creator creates ISO files from CD/DVD-ROM
Cleanup Programs:
  • AppRemover enables the uninstallation of security applications such as antivirus and antispyware from your computer.
  • CCleaner privacy and cleaning tool
  • JavaRa removes old and redundant versions of the Java Runtime Environment (JRE)
  • PureRa also cleans and removes temporary files
  • Steven Gould’s CleanUp removes temporary files created while surfing the web, empties the Recycle Bin, deletes files from your temporary folders and more
Defraggers:
Driver Utilities:
  • Double Driver will backup drivers before a re-install
  • DriverBackup! is an opensource driver backup program
  • DriverPacks Each DriverPack is a package of drivers for a particular category of hardware
  • Net-Runna DriverBackup provides backup and recovery of Windows driver files(free for personal use)
File Copy Utilities:
  • RichCopy is a bulk file copy utility from Microsoft with a variety of granular controls
  • TeraCopy is a compact program designed to copy and move files at the maximum possible speed
File/Data Recovery Utilities:
Hard-Drive Utilities:
Internet Speed Tests:
Memory Testing Programs:
Multi-Boot Utilities:
  • GAG is a graphical boot manager
  • iReboot will let you pick what OS you want to reboot into
  • VistaBoot for dual-boot situations
Networking Utilities:
  • Free IP scanner is a very fast IP scanner and port scanner
  • Iometer is “an I/O subsystem measurement and characterization tool for single and clustered systems”
  • Wireshark is a network protocol analyzer
Partition Utilities:
Password utilities:
Portable Applications:
Remote Desktop Programs:
  • Crossloop
  • Log Me In
  • Here is a link on “how to make a custom logmein MSI so that you can use Log Me In’s free remote support utility and have the end user download a small MSI file that contains your information for your logmein account”
  • Mikogo is a cross platform desktop sharing tool
  • NTR Connect
  • ShowMyPC
  • UltraVNC “is a powerful, easy to use and free software that can display the screen of another computer (via internet or network) on your own screen”
  • UltraVNC SC (single Click) is a “mini (166k) UltraVNC Server that can be customized and preconfigured for download by a Customer”
Rootkit Detectors:
Screen Capture Programs and Utilities:
  • BSR Screen Recorder is $40 with an option editor for $50 (Note: I had stability issues with the editor(movie lab), so use the trail software to see if you have any issues)
  • CamStudio is a free screen recorder
  • FrontCam is a screen recorder for $30 that has a free trial with a watermark in the corner
  • Hypercam screen recorder has a free version
  • KeyPose will display your keystrokes as you type them, usefull for tutorial recording, but you can’t adjust the position or opacity==NEW==
  • KeyJedi will also display you keystrokes, but only shortcuts (control, alt, shift characters), but you can adjust position and opacity==NEW==
Skype Related:
  • Callgraph records conversations with both sides in different channels and has a free version (I’ve used this and it works great)==NEW==
  • Pamela can record audio, video and skype chat==NEW==
  • SuperTintin records both audio and video==NEW==
  • Total Recorder can be used to record Skype.(I have total recorder, but for Skype, Callgraph is just easier)==NEW==
Software/OS Updating and Patching Utilities:
  • AutoPatcher is an offline Windows Update
  • Ketarin is a small application which automatically updates setup packages
  • Ninite install applications automatically
  • Nlite for slipstreaming service packs, component removal and unattended installs
  • RyanVM Integrator (RVM Integrator) allows for slipstreaming of servicepacks and has addons for installing other software
  • Secunia for updating patches and programs
  • WSUS Ofline Update is an offline windows updater
Spyware and Malware Databases:
==Do not go here unless you mean to!!!===
  • Malware Database was founded “as a way to aid fellow researchers in sharing malware samples, threat intel and to raise awareness on emerging threats”
  • Offensive Computing contains collections of malware/viruses for study
Spyware and Malware Removal:
Spyware and Malware Removal Repair Utilities:
  • Dial-a-Fix is “a utility for 32-bit versions of Windows that repairs various Windows problems, such as: Windows Update errors and problems with Automatic Updates, SSL, HTTPS, and Cryptography service (signing/verification) issues, COM/ActiveX object errors and missing registry entries, and more.”
  • Fix IE Utility will re-register around 89 dll & ocx files, which are required for the smooth running of Internet Explorer
  • Fix WU will re-register a total of 114 .dll, ocx and .ax files which are required for the proper functioning of Windows Updates
  • WinSock XP Fix “offers a last resort if your Internet connectivity has been corrupted due to invalid or removed registry entries”
  • XPQuickFix is a portable utility which lets you fix windows errors and remove restrictions caused due to virus and worms infection.
System information Utilities:
  • Belarc Advisor “builds a detailed profile of your installed software and hardware, missing Microsoft hotfixes, anti-virus status, CIS (Center for Internet Security) benchmarks, and displays the results in your Web browser”
  • CPU-Z is a freeware that gathers information on some of the main devices of your system
  • Index.dat Suite allows you to find, inspect and delete all index.dat files on your computer
  • Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder allows you to print or save your keys for safekeeping
  • LookInMyPC generates an HTML page with system info, and can also create a portable app, but the app requires that the USB drive be unlocked when being used
  • Produkey from NirSoft will recover lost Windows and Office 2003/2007 product keys
  • SIW System Information for Windows gathers detailed information about your system properties and settings
  • Speccy from Piriform “is an advanced System Information tool for your PC”
  • SpeedFan monitors voltages, fan speeds, and temperatures
  • What is my IP is a website that will show your online external IP address
  • WhoCrashed reveals the drivers responsible for crashing your computer
System information Utilities (Directory info):
  • Karen’s Directory Printer will print directory info to your printer or a file (warning, this this can generate a lot of paper really fast)
  • Spacemonger displays your harddrive files graphically, the old version is free
  • SpaceSniffer is another graphical application that shows your folder/files structures, and is a portable app.
  • WinDirStat is a disk usage statistics viewer and cleanup tool for Microsoft Window
User Profile Utilities:
  • Reprofiler lets you reassign the data and settings of a Windows user account to another account.
Utilities Programs:
  • Active Registry Monitor (ARM) is an utility designed for analyzing the changes made to Windows Registry
  • Easeus utilities including Todo Backup and Disk Copy
  • Eraser overwrites deleted data so it is unrecoverable
  • ExamDiff is a freeware visual file comparison tool
  • HEdit hex editor by Yuri software
  • Insomnia will keep your laptop/desktop from going into sleep mode during scanning, testing, endcoding, etc…
  • PC Fixer “provides instant repairs to many of the common ailments that clog your PCs.”
  • PStart is a simple tray tool to start user defined applications. Designed to run portable applications
  • Sysinternals Suite contains many utilities including Autoruns
  • Text Mining Tool – free converter of PDF, DOC, CHM, HTM to text
Virtual CD/DVD programs:
  • Daemon Tools Lite lets enables you to emulate up to 4 CD/DVD virtual drives on your PC and includes other ISO utilities and is free for home use
  • MagicDisc is free from MagicISO and also handles virtual CD/DVD drives and supports several image formats
Virus scanners — Online
  • BitDefender Online Scanner
  • ESET Online Scanner
  • HouseCall “is Trend Micro’s highly popular and capable on-demand scanner for identifying and removing viruses, Trojans, worms, unwanted browser plugins, and other malware”
  • Jotti’s malware scan is a free online service that enables you to scan suspicious files with several anti-virus programs
  • Kaspersky File Scanner lets you submit suspicious files
  • Kaspersky has a note that their current online scanner in not available, but will be having an improved scanner in time.
  • Panda ActiveScan
  • Virustotal is “a service that analyzes suspicious files and facilitates the quick detection of viruses, worms, trojans, and all kinds of malware detected by antivirus engines.”
  • Windows Live Safety Scanner “is an online service that you can use for free spyware removal.” (from Microsoft)
Frequently mentioned vendors:
Computer Business Links
  • Billing Boss is “a free online invoicing tool designed for small businesses and freelancers to create, send and track the status of invoices”
  • Yahoo Computer Business Group is “A peer support group for people planning to start or currently running a small computer business”
Other Common links of interest and resources: