Session Description:  Your school added a few dozen computers recently. But what happens when they freeze, don’t connect to the Net, need new software, blow a video card or the end user needs some support? Learn how to be proactive with the tech support problem.

 

 

 

General Troubleshooting

 

Network Troubleshooting

http://www.sau29.k12.nh.us/library/Dewey/networking.htm

San Diego County Office of Ed

Internet Technical Support

http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/internet.html

A great FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions), and area for downloading common Internet Software, and an automated online help service which uses email to answer perplexing questions.

Epeople.com

http://www.epeople.com/home.jsp

A site for free technical support, via e-mail, on hardware and software from both Windows and Macintosh worlds. You'll usually get a response within 24 hours.

Reference Table of Troubleshooting

http://jayne.rockdalenet.com/

Track Star Troubleshooting

http://trackstar.hprtec.org/main/display.php3?option=text&track_id=4372

Tech24.com
http://www.tech24.com/

Another site that offers free technical support on hardware and software.  Support includes a help-desk, e-mail support, real-time live "chats" with tech. assistants.   In addition, they offer on-line virus scanning and other useful resources.

The Complete Guide to Free Help Online
http://www.pcworld.com/workstyles/online/articles/oct96/1410p128.html

From PC World. Wondrous!

 

 

Shareware Bazaars

http://www.download.com

It could be that the solution to your problem lies in a little piece of free software you can download off the Internet. 

Computer Information Center (CIC)

http://www.compinfo.co.uk/index.htm

Tons of information about all kinds of computer related issues.

No Wonder

http://www.nowonder.com/

VersionTracker

http://www.versiontracker.com

Get the latest free updates/bug fixes for your software with a single click of the mouse.

Shareware.com

http://www.shareware.com

A great location to find all those downloadable files (Freeware, ShareWare, and Commercial updates) in one easy location.

 

Macintosh

 

Trouble Shooting Your Macintosh

http://www.lerc.nasa.gov/         

www/k-12/Basic_Tutorials/Troubleshooting.html

MacFixIt (Home Page)
http://macfixit.pair.com/

THE MAC Troubleshooting Page
http://millbury.k12.ma.us/~hs/techrepair
/repairmac.html

Mac Error Type 11 messages
http://www.bias-inc.com/deck/d109824.html

The Mac Conflict Solution Site

http://www.quillserv.com/www/c3/c3.html

The Low End Mac

http://www.mactimes.com/lowend

Low End Mac is dedicated to keeping older Macs and compatibles productive.

Mac Tips

http://www.themacintoshguy.com

This site focuses on the Mac end user and improving his/her skills with various tips and tricks.

MacIn Touch

http://www.macintouch.com

What is the latest breaking news about Apple and what are the latest bug fixes and updates?

 

PC/Windows Resources

 

Microsoft Technical Support
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/

Having problem with Windows or Word? Mr. Gates and his brigades in Redmond probably have the solution.

Microsoft Technical Support Phone Numbers
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/overview.asp

Getting nowhere troubleshooting a Microsoft problem on your own?  Here are some helpful numbers of people who may be able to assist you.

Compaq Technical Support
http://www6.compaq.com/support/

Hewlett Packard Technical Support
http://www.hp.com/ghp/services.html

Dell Technical Support
http://support.dell.com/us/en/index.asp

Problem-solving help for Dell computers.

Gateway Technical Support
http://www.gateway.com/support/index.shtml

Problem-solving help for Gateway computers.

The PC Mechanic

http://pcmech.pair.com/

Step by step instructions for building a PC from the ground up.

The Tech Page

http://www.blue-planet.com:80/tech/

You can download drivers and formatting software along with other critical software for hard drive maintenance and repair.

 

Old Equipment Revival Resources

 

Resources For Users of Older Computers
http://www.coyotecom.com/database/old.html

Museum of Obsolete Technology

http://www.computingmuseum.com/

 

New Equipment Selection Resources

 

Product Reviews
Some of the most authoritative can be had at www.cnet.com and www.zdnet.com.

KillerApp.com
http://computers.cnet.com/hardware/0-1016.html
Sometimes, sadly, surrender is the best alternative. But don't get fleeced when you go out to buy something new! KillerApp can help you find the best price on whatever it is you need to replace.

 

 

Multi-platform Help Sites

 

ZiffDavis Help

http://www.zdnet.com/zdhelp

General Resource Pages

 

Ask Dr. Tech - http://www.askdrtech.com/

Ask Sam - http://www.asksam.com/

Basic Computing - http://www.uen.org/training/free/toc.cgi?list_id=3012

Basic Techie Competencies (self assessment) - http://www.ncpublicschools.org/tap/basic.htm

BVR Repair - http://millbury.k12.ma.us/~hs/techrepair/index.html

Bootdisks - http://www.bootdisk.com/

Computer Competencies - http://www.ncat.edu/~schofed/its/cuin101/major_c.htm

Computer Operation and Troubleshooting - http://www.ncsu.edu/ncsu/cep/tap/resources/1-2.html

Computer and Network Support - http://www.sfcc.spokane.cc.wa.us/lecoq/cs.htm

Curricular Technology - http://www.ga.k12.pa.us/curtech/curtech.htm

Drivers - http://www.driverguide.com/

DHCP - http://www.dhcp.org/index.html

Dr. Farallon - http://colo.farallon.com/askanexpert/doctor.html/

Email attachments - http://www.earthlink.com/internet/email/attachments/sending.html

Ethernet - http://www.forks.wednet.edu/middle/techtips/EthernetTutor.html

FAQs - http://student.monterey.edu/dh/garlieppkent/world/fairmount/

Fix Windows - http://www.fixwindows.com/

Free Windows 2000 Educator’s Training - http://www.sau29.k12.nh.us/library/Dewey/networking.htm

HwB: The Hardware Book - http://www.hardwarebook.net/

I am a Newbie…not a Dummy - http://www.newbieclub.com/?SalezToolz/

Make Your Computer Work Better - http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/features/workbetter/

Maximum PC Network - http://www.karbosguide.com/

Microsoft Product Support Services - http://support.microsoft.com/directory/

My Help Desk - http://www.myhelpdesk.com/Membership/HomeVisitor.asp

New Domain - http://www.tv/en-def-28c95e038ce7/en/index.shtml

On-line Software Manuals - http://www.bham.wednet.edu/manuals.htm

Overall Tech Program - http://www.ncrtec.org/capacity/capacity.htm

PC Pitstop - http://www.pcpitstop.com/

PC Resource (tips and tricks) - http://www.pcwin.com/tips-tricks/

PC Day Troubleshooting - http://smart2.svi.org/projects/pcday/tshoot.html

PC Software Troubleshooting - http://www.everythingcomputers.com/pc_software_trouble.htm

PC Tech Tips - http://www.portnet.k12.ny.us/port2000/tips.htm

PC Mechanic - http://www.pcmech.com/

PC SOFTWARE TOOLS - http://millbury.k12.ma.us/~hs/techrepair/ftp.html

Proxy Server - http://webopedia.internet.com/TERM/p/proxy_server.html

Plug-ins - http://www.macromedia.com/downloads/

Preventing Problems and Troubleshooting - http://pip.ehhs.cmich.edu/healthy/healthy3.html#narrowing

Questions and Answers - http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/02/technology/02ASKK.html

Resource Co-operative - http://www.smartschools-cie.org/resourcecoop/troubleshoot.html

Real Player Plug-in - http://www.real.com/

System Optimization & Performance Guide - http://sysopt.earthweb.com/

Spyware or Freeware? - http://www.spychecker.com/

SWAT Training - http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/staff/epeto/tech_team/

Tech Help Now - http://www.itrc.ucf.edu/techhelpnow/

Tech Support - http://www.ties.k12.mn.us/techplan/support.html

Tech Tales - http://www.techtales.com/

Tech Net - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/

TechConnect Ed - http://www.pcwin.com/tips-tricks/

Tech Info Base - http://cma.zdnet.com/texis/cma/cma/edit.html?feditsrch=end+it+all

Tech Net for Educators - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/education/

THE PC TROUBLESHOOTING PAGE - http://millbury.k12.ma.us/~hs/techrepair/repairpc.html

The Ultimate Learn and Resource Center - http://www.singlesheaven.com/stas/TULARC/

The Computer Information Center - http://www.compinfo.co.uk/index.htm

Timbuktu - http://www.netopia.com/softlib/tb2.html

Tutorials - http://microsoft.com/education/tutorial/classroom/default.asp

Tom's Hardware Guide - http://www.tomshardware.com/

TradeMart Internet Home Page - http://www.trademart.com/

Tutorials, How-to’s, and Technical help - http://www.nationalteacher.com/techhelp/index.shtml

Tech Support and Fixes - http://www.ncpublicschools.org/tap/basic.htm

Tech Encyclopedia - http://www.networkmagazine.com/business_case/sizing.html

TechHelper - http://www.techweb.com/

The PC Guide - http://www.pcguide.com/topic.html

Thomas Cook's Computer TS Tips - http://home.att.net/~t.f.cook/index.htm

"The Hand Me Down PC"  - http://www.daileyint.com/hmdpc/1

Tech Tips, Training, Troubleshooting, & Tutorials - http://k-12.pisd.edu/techs/train.htm

Troubleshooting Guide - http://k-12.pisd.edu/techs/train.htm

The Chip Directory - http://www.xs4all.nl/~ganswijk/chipdir/spotting.htm

Tech Talk - http://www.techlearning.com/content/working/columns/techtalk.html

Using Tech w/o Migraines - http://www.forks.wednet.edu/middle/techtips/techtipshome.html

Understanding and Troubleshooting - http://www.daileyint.com/hmdpc/repair.htm

Visual Route Mapping - http://www.visualroute.com/demo.html

Virtual Network Computing - http://www.uk.research.att.com/vnc/index.html

Web Development Help - http://www.pageresource.com/

What’s Inside? - http://library.thinkquest.org/3114/inside.html

What is? - http://whatis.techtarget.com/WhatIs_Home_Page/0,4324,,00.html

Windows Troubleshooting  - http://www.windowsgalore.com/windows.95/index.htm

Windows 98 - http://www.zdnet.com/downloads/spotlight/windows98/index.html

Zap Me Troubleshooting - http://www.zapme.com/net/class/tech/hardware_troubleshooting.html

 

Bios

BIOS Setup Information Guide -
http://sysopt.earthweb.com/bios.html

The BIOS -
 http://www.tomshardware.com/mainboard/97q1/970101/index.html

BIOS Settings - Adv. Chipset Features http://www.pcguide.com/ref/mbsys/bios/set/advch.htm

BIOS Information

http://sysopt.earthweb.com/bios.html

Definitions and Solutions for BIOS Error Codes/Messages/Beeps http://sysopt.earthweb.com/biosbmc.html

Viewing/Changing BIOS Settings that do not Appear to Exist (AMI, Award, Mr. BIOS, etc.)
 http://sysopt.earthweb.com/biosmod.html

What is BIOS, and what can I do with it? 

http://sysopt.earthweb.com/biosdef.html

Tips for optimizing BIOS setup options and utilizing the bios setup http://sysopt.earthweb.com/m2.html

The BIOS Companion - The book that should come with your motherboard. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/bioscomp.html.

Mr. BIOS
http://mrbios.com/mr_FAQ.html

Changing BIOS Setup Settings that do not Appear to Exist http://sysopt.earthweb.com/biosmod.html

Resetting/Disabling CMOS Setup Password

http://sysopt.earthweb.com/cmospass.html

A huge list of Flash BIOSs available on the Web
http://www.ping.be/bios/

Information on Phoenix Bios

http://www.firmware.com/support/index.htm

Power On Self Test (POST) Beep codes by BIOS manufacturer http://www.randomc.com/~dperr/beepcode.htm

 

Building a PC

 

Assembling A PC
http://millbury.k12.ma.us/~hs/techrepair/mbinstall.html

Build Your Own PC!

http://www.verinet.com/pc/

 

 

 

Drivers

DriversHQ

http://www.drivershq.com/

www.windrivers.com -
http://www.windrivers.com/
A really cool place with greatest collection of HW Drivers, HardDrive and Memory Info

 

Hard Disk

 

Troubleshooting IDE Hard Drive Problems http://www.codemicro.com/harddrive.htm

Harddrive Related Terms and Tricks http://www.computercraft.com/docs/evsterms.html

Drive Definition Database http://www.mm.mtu.edu/drives/

 

Memory / RAM

 

The RAM Guide http://www.tomshardware.com/mainboard/98q4/981024/index.html

The PC Technology Guide http://www.pctechguide.com/03memory.htm

The Ultimate Memory Guide http://www.kingston.com/tools/umg/default.asp

What is EDO Memory? http://stason.org/TULARC/pc/edo.html

The Perfect Memory http://stason.org/TULARC/pc/memory.html

The RAM (Random Access Memory) Guide http://www.tomshardware.com/mainboard/
98q4/981024/index.html

Cache, Dram, Video Ram Explained http://www.pctoday.com/editorial/tips/970529a.html

The Ultimate Memory Guide http://www.kingston.com/tools/umg/default.asp

Conventional DRAM vs. EDO DRAM http://jeeves.niehs.nih.gov/~field1/edodram.htm

FPM, EDO, and Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) Technologies http://www.simpletech.com/helpdesk/dramwp.htm

DRAM Table - Lists Manufacturers, Chip ID's, and Sizes http://idbdnet.com/ramstar/RF5ORG.HTML

Lecture Slides on Basic DRAM Operation http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~pattrsn//294/LEC9/lec.html

Reducing DRAM Access Latency
http://wwwcad.eecs.berkeley.edu/~jimy/classes
/dram/dram_access.html

The Fake Cache Page http://home.hiwaay.net/~andy1/fake.html

 

Motherboard

 

Troubleshooting a dead (non-functioning) Motherboard  http://sysopt.earthweb.com/deadmb.html

Motherboard Home World
http://www.motherboards.org/

Motherboard Information
http://sysopt.earthweb.com/mboard.html

Motherboard and System Devices
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/mbsys/

Learn Everything about MotherBoards from The PC Technology Guide http://www.pctechguide.com/01mboards.htm

The Mainboard Guide - from Tom's Hardware Guide http://www.tomshardware.com/mainboard/index.html

The ctcm Mainboard Benchmark Page  http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/96q3/960919/index.html

Motherboard Specifications 
http://sysopt.earthweb.com/tosch/mbspecs.html

Intel Motherboard Manuals and Jumper Settings  http://x86.ddj.com/intel.doc/intelmotherboards.htm

Intel Motherboard Reference Comparison
http://www.magsys.co.uk/mbs/

 

Modem

Modem FAQ -- Tips & Tricks
http://www.teleport.com/~curt/modems.html

 

Mouse

PC mouse info
http://www.hut.fi/~then/mytexts/mouse.html

 

Networking

 

The Technical Side of Networking
http://www.pen.k12.va.us/go/VDOE/Technology/Tech_Handbook/nets.html

 

Vendors

 

The PC Hardware Vendors Links
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~wharmon/hardware.html

 

Video Card

 

Video Card Identification Procedure
http://www.pcguide.com/proc/id/video.htm

 

Virus Information

 

Computer Viruses FAQ's
http://www.neurophys.wisc.edu/www/comp/virus.html

Anti-Virus Page
http://exo.com/~robertc/quick

 

 

 

 

Credit

A big thank-you to:

 

Mary Breeze

[email protected]

Ladd Skelly 

[email protected]

Mary B. Reid

[email protected]

 

For their contributions to this resource list.

 

 

 

 

 

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