General FAQs & Information Sites
Thousands of web sites devoted to various computer problems can help you solve your challenges. Here is just a sampling:
General | Security | Broadband and Networking Tweaks
Hardware | RAM (Memory) Guides | Searching for Answers
Note: Windows-specific items have moved to the Windows Resources page.
General
- CMP Media's TechWeb has over 500 FAQs linked by category.
- Russ Harvey's Windows Resources.
- Russ Harvey's OS/2 Resources has IBM OS/2 and eComStation drivers, utilities and fixes.
- Russ Harvey's Linux Resources.
- Russ Harvey's Macintosh Resources.
Security
- Shields Up! Gibson Research Corporation will "hack" your system to demonstrate your security vulnerabilities, then show you how to fix them.
- CRYPTO-GRAM is a free monthly newsletter providing summaries, analyses, insights, and commentaries on computer security and cryptography.
- TechWeb Security Technology Center.
Broadband and Networking Tweaks
Hardware
- USB.org for information about Universal Serial Bus.
- Tweak Your PC's BIOS Settings the Safe Way discusses strategies for optimizing your BIOS.
- Iomega Zip Drives and the "Click of Death."
Spontaneous Reboots
- If your computer reboots spontaneously (without warning) it may be due to faulty or mis-matched RAM.
- A faulty or inadequate power supply is another likely cause. See Power Supply Wattage Calculator to determine if your power supply is up to the task.
Gaming Requirements
- Systems Requirements Labs is a free web service that automatically analyzes your computer and discovers if you can run a specific product.
- Can your computer run that game? is another System Requirements Services page that checks for your computer's ability to run specific Windows games.
RAM (Memory) Guides
- Kingston's Ultimate Memory Guide
- Memtest86 - a thorough, stand alone memory test for x86 architecture computers.
- Kingston memory upgrades guide.
Memory Differences
- DDRAM is used in most current Pentium 4 and Anthlon computers.
- RAMBUS RDRAM Modules were used in some early P4 systems, but were expensive.
- SDRAM is used in Pentium II and III computers.
- Pentium I systems require 72 pin SIMMs to be installed in identical pairs. EDO SIMMs should not be mixed with standard SIMMs.
- Laptop RAM is different than desktop memory.
- RAM with unmatched speed will run at the lower speed. If you upgrade from 128MB by adding 512MB RAM, pull the 128MB chip since it will be unlikely to add anything to performance if it is significantly slower.
- Windows 98 will generally not benefit from more than 256MB of RAM. WinXP does know how to manage larger amounts of RAM.
Searching for Answers
If you don't find what you want Google special searches can help you find answers. These links are to Google specialized search tools:
- Microsoft-related sites.
- Apple Macintosh-related sites.
- Linux-related sites.
- BSD-related sites.
- Firefox Start Page.
www.russharvey.bc.ca/resources/resources.html
Updated: May 27, 2011