Info for Techs!

Early on and over the years as a PC repair tech, I’ve compiled some various info and methodologies that can definitely benefit other technicians!  Check out the articles below if interested.

Note:  The articles we currently have may be a little dated but definitely still relevant.  In fact, are also in the process of restoring more of them from our older website archives since they still contain valuable information that can benefit other techs in the industry!  Hopefully one day we’ll have the time to share more information, or allow others to contribute to this section with their own tips and guides.  If you notice anything wrong and figure out the proper updated process or steps, please let us know!

Network Boot Guide

A tech’s guide on creating a server running WDS (Windows Deployment Services) integrated with Syslinux.  This allows you to boot to the network for Windows image deployments (complete with Windows updates, specific drivers, and even your favorite apps to pre-load on a clean install) as well as your favorite tech tools with their own boot environments (such as Memtest86+) including many Linux boot or ‘Live’ CDs!

Requirements:  A spare Windows server license capable of Windows Deployment Services, and the hardware to run it on (or a very capable virtual machine!)  Windows Server 2008 R2 was used in creating this guide.

Note:  Windows XP, Vista, and 7 are specifically referenced for image deployments in the guide, but Windows 10 should also work with the same process.

Creating a WinPE 5.1 Bootable

Simple guide to create a WinPE 5.1 disk for usage with d7, d7II, d7x, our free dBug, or any other 3rd party tools designed to work from WinPE on ‘offline’ Windows OS partitions.

Creating Installer Files (with Inno Setup)

There are many reasons why you might want to create your own custom ‘setup’ installer package. One may be that you are accustomed to putting a remote support app of your own on a client’s desktop; maybe you like to drop a few desktop shortcuts to your website, etc.  In this very short guide, we use exactly this scenario as an example to show you how you can create your own custom installer package.

Requirements:  The free Inno Setup program (used to compile your customized setup/installer packages.

Batch Files

Batch files are quick and easy to create and use, and having the ability to do so is still quite useful for just about anyone of any background or skill level, even for a programmer!

With the exception of “ControlVAC” (written in August 2016) and possibly some other upcoming content we may add in the future, most of these files were written over the years and only kept around for reference. While they were all useful at one point in time, mostly these days many won’t be (at least for the specific purpose they were created.)

Regardless, the techniques found here are good examples of how to create and work with batch files, and with this knowledge you can create something truly valuable for you!

VBScript

Visual Basic Script files are fairly easy to create and use, leveraging some Visual Basic capabilities can bring some power to your automation and like batch files they don’t require any special software to create or compile into working executables.

SLP Product Keys Explained

Several of my apps (and others found on the internet, such as the great Nirsoft utilities) can decode Windows product keys from the registry.  If you found this page, I’m sure you’ve used one of them, and I’m sure it has failed you at some point.  Here’s the skinny on these special OEM keys…

Anti-Virus “False Positives” Information including External Submission Links

Our page containing external links to submit “false positive” reports to various anti-virus/malware/security software vendors, so you can let them know when their software incorrectly flags other software as malicious.

External Links of Interest to Techs

Come on, we’re not the only game in town!  Check out these external links that techs may be interested in…

How I Quit Cigarettes (by Nick)

I’m not sure what that is about the tech industry, but in my years of experience the majority of my co-workers have smoked cigarettes.  This article is about my experience with “vaping” as a successful tobacco cigarette cessation method, despite my continued love for nicotine.  Originally written in Q4 2011, this article has been updated and republished in Q3 2016, on request from numerous techs and readers.   Update:  I quit in Jan 2017 so I’m personally clueless on the latest products.  

Update:  9/27/2018 – please see Brantley’s post:  After 2-3 years of Vaping not being enough… for more updated info!  Also you can check out our vaping blog category.