powermechanics.com

*Recommended Essential Programs, Resources, and Computer Hardware!*

I have found that tinkering with computers is a little like lifting the hood on a car, and when I'm not building engines I'm tinkering with my computers (11+ and counting!) .

To work in the PC world means familiarity with DOS and Windows, and even though most desktop applications are strictly Windows based, the industry that I work in still requires DOS capability for programs, for instance real time data acquisition like Dyno Testing or Engine Management Controls. As such, tweaking older computers to their full potential is both rewarding intellectually, and useful, as a lot of "older" components can be had for pennies!

As an opinion, I also have very little liking or patience with the trend of major vendors (Microsoft and others) towards ever restrictive EULA's to the point that even a minor hardware change requires a phone call to "Big Brother" to get permission to work on your own computer. As such I am resisting products like Windows XP (and the incredible hardware overhead required simply to perform basic tasks) . Seems sort of like buying a Lexus to mow the lawn... , but that also means that any support or problems have to be worked out on my own.

Since I build and maintain my own computers, I appreciate any product or source that makes my life easier, especially products that are cheap, well designed, and self contained. The following are just some of the best hardware and software resources that I have found to be really useful, and use on a frequent basis.

*Links to Software And Other Resources*

This E-Mail client is as fully featured as some big name (big Price) programs, and it is totally FREE to use. A feature that I really like is the ability to scan message headers and select which ones to download, save, or delete from your POP3 server, without mandatory automatic download common in other clients tying up your phone line, and exposing you to un-known attachments .

Still using variations of Windows95, Windows98, or WindowsME?

This is simply the BEST MONEY I have ever spent on a program! The 98lite program modifies your Windows installation to separate components that Microsoft does not, including de-integration of Internet Explorer (which Microsoft says "can't be done"). If you select a clean install of Windows98 or ME using the "MICRO" version (1 of 4 options) possible with the 98lite installer, the performance of even an old Pentium 100 with a 200 MB hard drive is almost SUPERNATURAL! Make your old dog outperform machines with 10 times better hardware.

XPlite and 2000lite Professional More options than ever before! Supports all Windows 2000 service packs up to SP4 and all XP service packs including SP2!

If you install WindowsME , Microsoft will tell you that ME does not have any support for Dos, and will not boot to a command prompt using the F8 key option as Windows95 or 98. This is just another lie , ME is just 98 dressed up in "32bit" drag . If you want to load Dos drivers or customize your config.sys and autoexec.bat files, you have to patch ME to allow this, or the next time you boot your changes will be overwritten.
These guys have the nicest patch program and interface, and makes booting into ME or Dos8 a menu option. This modification is great for use of XMSDSK for creating a Ramdisk!

Great source for Windows (and Linux) system tools. I use "Process Explorer" all the time to see what is actually being loaded. Not all Windows programs will show up in the Program Manager shutdown box, especially after they CRASH! The site is now owned by the Dark Side, but the tools are still available.

This site is so large, you could spend a year reading all of the TIPS + TRICKS for Dos, and all flavors of Windows. Some of the products listed here have links there as well. A good disk backup/image program is HIGHLY recommended before trying some of these tweaks, damage and/or corruption of your registry will make your system unuseable!

"Biting The Hand That Feeds IT" is their motto, if you get it you'll enjoy their take on computer related news stories.
No OX goes Un-Gored!

Uwe Seiber's HomePage Another great site for cool programs, but the one I really like is XMSDSK , a ramdisk program that is WAY better than the garden variety supplied by Microsoft.

The Gibson Research site has a good interactive firewall testing page, that can let you know if your computer is vulnerable to port scans or is otherwise insecure . Testing is painless and secure, lots of information on how to protect yourself. Also has a page for generating secure random passwords.

Computer Parts Retailers I Have Used

Misc Computer Parts For Sale