Podnutz Daily #213 - Phase One

Steve McLaughlin from DoorToDoorGeek.com joins us today to go over his regimen of repair/diagnostic programs he calls "Phase One".

Running time: 1:13:50
Added: 13 Jan 2010

Boot media

• Kasperky rescue CD
• Trinity Rescue Kit is a free live Linux distribution that aims specifically at recovery and repair operations on Windows machines
• Ultimate Boot CD which has MHDD
• Ultimate Boot CD for Windows
• SpinRite for data recovery
• KonBoot allows you to change contents of a linux kernel or Windows kernel for bypassing the password

Hardware testing/Info Tools

• Crystal Disk Info is a HDD/SSD utility software which supports S.M.A.R.T.
• SIW System Information for Windows is a tool that gathers detailed information about your system properties and settings
• ardai16 analyzes your computer and displays thorough information on its hardware
• MemTest86+ memory tester (included on UBCD and UBCD4WIN)
• Cleanup Tools:
• Steven Gould's CleanUp removes temporary files created while surfing the web, empties the Recycle Bin, deletes files from your temporary folders and more.
• PureRa also cleans and removes temporary files
• CCleaner removes unused files from your system
• Process Explorer shows you information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded. (also part of the SysInternals Suite)
• Spacemonger 1.4.0 is a tool for keeping track of the free space on your computer
• JavaRa removes old and redundant versions of the Java Runtime Environment (JRE)
• Glary Utilities
• PC Decrapifier for removing assorted trialware included with new computers
• Revo Uninstallerr for clean uninstalls
• Autoruns for Windows is an advanced MSConfig (also part of the SysInternals Suite)

Other Resources:

• Microsoft Video by Mark Russinovich on Advanced Malware Cleaning

Voicemails/Emails:

• Tim from Oceanside asks for info on rootkits and rootkit removers including unhackme, D2D recommends scanning from outside the OS like a boot CD
• Jim is looking for an alternative source of Dell laptop Batteries and power supplies, Steve recommends EBay and searching with the term "genuine"
• Laptop powering up with a bios error of keyboard failed, Steve says try to boot with the keyboard disconnected and an external keyboard plugged in
• Rick asks if Steve's done any video's on computer networking, D2D says to try practicallynetworked.com
• Jorge says Dagon Design has info on Windows XP and Vista Product Key Recovery
• Russ asks about backing up drivers before reinstalling Windows, Steve says he downloads the drivers, or use driverpacks, the chatroom says to try Drvback DoubleDriver

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Music provided by Evan King
Notes by Mike Evans at datamike.net