Utilities
A utility program is one that provides housekeeping functions, or which adds functionality or improves the performance of your operating system and/or applications. While most operating systems these days contain many of the functions that used to be provided by add on utilities, there are still many more that can be added to improve the performance and user friendliness of your system. The following are links to some that you might find useful. Other links to sites that may help you improve the functionality or performance of your system are also included.
Bios
Your system BIOS contains the instructions that run when you start your computer that load the operating system and provide the low level routines that enable the operating system to communicate with your system hardware.
The various BIOS use beep codes to tell you what is wrong with your system if the video system wont start. For what these codes mean go to this site on Troubleshooting BIOS Beep Codes
Motherboards
The best place to get the latest Bios upgrade and other software specific to your system is direct from the manufacturer of your motherboard. They also have information about how far you may be able to upgrade your existing system. Here are links to a few of these sites.
You might also want to check out Motherboards.org who claim to be the most comprehensive motherboard site on the web.
Drivers
- Windows 7 Seven Drivers System Repair
Windows 7 seven drivers system repair. Repair your windows 7 drivers, lots of manuals information and software on how to fix repair and service your computer laptop or even your mobile phone. - WinDrivers The World Resource For Windows Tech Support and Drivers
- DriverGuide.com Your guide to finding device drivers
Bug Fixes and Upgrades
- BugNet The World's Leading Supplier of Software Bug Fixes
- Annoyances.org solutions to what annoys you about Windows
AntiVirus
Security
- Any Password - a security vault program for your PC to store all of your passwords safely.
- Hacking Exposed - find out about security holes in your setup
- Newbie Guide To Email Hoaxes, Urban Legends, Scam Or Spam
A guide for newbies to learn to detect and defend against email hoaxes, urban legends, scams and spams in email. - Spybot Search & Destroy - spyware removal software
- Lavasoft Ad Aware - more spyware removal software
- Belarc Advisor - tells you what service packs and patches you have installed
- BHO Demon - tells you what helper applications you have installed (so you can remove the ones you that were installed without your knowledge)
- Zone Labs - Firewall (I use the Security Suite version)
- Shields Up - Firewall Testing
- Parental Control Software - Internet Monitoring Software
Computer monitoring and parental control software allows parents to monitor teen chat rooms, instant messages, web sites, email and more.
File Compression
- WinZip (Windows only)
- Aladdin Stuffit (Mac, Windows, Linux, Solaris)
- Linux file compression tool guide
Free Graphics Software
Browser Plug-Ins
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Apple Quicktime
- RealNetworks RealPlayer
- Macromedia Flash
- IE7pro
A must have plug-in for all IE6 and IE7 users that provides many of the features that other web browsers have that IE lacks. - Popup Stopper
General
- Free Software And Download - Livechanges
Free software and download for window. Find the software, games you're looking for at soft-vn.Net
