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How Do I: I - L?




How Do I Identify Files? 04/08/2006


AnswersThatWork's Task List Programs help page - Through our support service we often come across problems caused primarily by programs running in the background, programs which in most cases start at the same time as Windows. Sometimes these programs are useful and need to be there; quite often, however, they are not needed, and in too many cases they cause severe problems, and this includes some Microsoft "Services" !*


"Every File Format in the World" - This is a list of file name extension or suffixes that indicate the format or usage of a file and a brief description of that format. We don't really show the file format itself here. In fact, many formats are proprietary and we couldn't show them to you. In some cases, we link to a definition of the file format or to related information.*


File Research Center - The File Research Center is a free service provided by SuperAdBlocker.com. This site provides users with an easy to use and accurate method by which to identify applications and files that reside on their computer.*


FILExt - FILExt is a database of file extensions and the various programs that use them. If you know the file extension you want to learn about simply enter it into the search box on the left and click on the Search button. If it's in any of the FILExt databases the data we have on that file extension will be shown on a results page. If it's not in any of the databases you will be given a link to a page with hints on how to do further research. Don't search on terms; just file extensions and only one at a time please. There will be another search box on the results page if you have multiple searches to do.

It's possible that the search will give you multiple results as there is no central registry for file extensions. If so, you will have some detective work to do; read the results page carefully as there will be hints on how to do this detective work.
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Startup Programs and Executables Listing by John Mayer - This list is derived from one of the most comprehensive lists I have found on the internet, courtesy of pacman's portal. To see the PacMan's Portal original list data, you may click here to visit PacMan's Full Startup Listing.

If anyone wishes to provide a direct link to this website from their own website, I would appreciate it if you would inform me before you did so, and to provide me access to the site from which you will be linking. Thank you, John Mayer
* Mr. Mayer graciously gave me permission to link to this page of his. Please, respect his simple request and ask for permission first to link to this page from your web site. Thanks! 05/17/2006




How Do I Identify Running Processes? Updated: 04/21/2006

ProcessLibrary.com - The free online knowledge website that describes fully the processes running on computers to provide an invaluable security service to millions of users worldwide.

Deep in the recesses of any computer, innumerable processes are running silently in the background. Some hog system resources, drastically slowing computers down; others harbour spyware and Trojans violating privacy and giving hackers free reign on compromised systems.

Processlibrary.com is a free online resource for anyone who immediately wants to know the exact nature and purpose of every single process. This popular easy-to-use service is provided free-of-charge by Uniblue Systems. Developed from the information feature of the award-winning WinTasks, the process library has proved crucial to anyone who uses computers.

Written in plain English, Processlibrary.com gives you immediate access to an extensive online database of comprehensive process description to help you understand what is truly running on your computer invisibly, in the background. The explanations are accompanied by exhaustive advice on whether you should terminate processes or leave them untouched.
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Quick Access InfoBar from ProcessLibrary.com - As many as 20 to 30 processes may be running invisibly, silently in the background on your PC. Some hog system resources drastically slowing down your computer; others are a threat to security and privacy; others may be harmless.

The Windows Task Manager displays most of these processes but you have no information to learn and understand what is what.

Get the latest definitions and exhaustive advice on all the processes running on directly in the Windows Task Manager by downloading the Quick Access InfoBar from ProcessLibrary.com.
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Windows Service Process Identifier Script - Task Manager's Processes tab can be difficult to decipher because it often shows many different instances of the same generic process name (e.g., Svchost.exe). To help you more readily identify which service a listed process represents, Greg Shultz has created this Service Process Identifier script, a unique Windows troubleshooting aid that will locate those processes that are hosting services, identify each by its PID number, track down each service running inside the process, compile a list, sort it by PID, and then create a formatted Excel spreadsheet, which you can use in tandem with Windows Task Manager. You can use this unique tool to track down spyware and viruses, too!*

Wanna know what "Programs and Services on your PC are listening for data on Open Ports?" - Open Task Manager - Processes Tab - View - Select Columns - check PID (Process Identifier) - OK. Click Start - Run - type cmd - press ENTER. "Now type netstat -ano to list the ports your system is listening to, along with the PID of the program or service that's listening. Match the PID to the processes listed in Task Manager to see which programs are listening to which port. If something looks suspicious, a Web search should help easily identify the culprit". CPU Magazine, July 2004 Edition, DIY Networking, page 59.* (Magazine Subscription Required.)


What's Running - What's Running is a product that gives you an inside look into your Windows 2000/XP/2003 system.

Explore processes, services, modules, IP-connections, drivers and much more through a simple to use application. Find out important information such as what modules are involved in a specific process.

Control your system by starting and stopping services and processes. Configure your startup programs easily.
* 12/03/2006




How Do I Identify the Connectors on My Computer? 01/20/2006

PC Interfaces 101 - This comprehensive advisor is intended to function as a reference, aimed at helping newbies and experienced users alike. With numerous pictures and short explanations, we'll tell you all about the slots, ports, and connectors you'll find on your PC, and what kinds of devices typically attach (or plug in) to them. We're especially interested in helping those users out who may not know all the many acronyms associated with computer peripherals, but who seek immediate solutions to their connectivity and assembly problems.

There's one consolation when it comes to connectors though - nearly every one is designed to make it difficult (if not impossible) to reverse polarity when hooking things up. With few exceptions, it is also not possible to plug incompatible devices and interfaces into each other; in the few cases where such possibilities exist, we'll be sure to warn you about them explicitly. But the good news is that damage or destruction caused by reversed connectors is pretty much a thing of the past.
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How Do I Install/Replace a HDD in My Computer? 03/30/2006

Langa Letter: How To Safely Add Or Replace A Hard Drive - Want to expand your PC without having to rebuild your operating system? Fred Langa shows you how to do that--and more.

Guide to Installing IDE/ATA devices - The vast majority of hard drives sold today for PC computers are IDE or sometimes referred to as ATA drives.  That is why we are going to discuss IDE drives.




How Do I Install a Network Card (NIC)? 07/24/2006

Network Interface Card (NIC) Installation Instructions w/pics created by the University of Southern Maine.




How Do I Know if My Computer has USB 2.0 or 1.1? 01/21/2006

The reason I recommend USB 2.0 over USB 1.1 is because of the significantly faster data transfer speed achieved in using USB 2.0. USB 1.1 transfers data around at 12mbps, with each new device added to your system taking up progressively more of the available transfer pipe until you hit a point where your USB gets overloaded. USB 2.0 is a massive speed increase to 480mbps, which leaves plenty of room for most device operations. Knowing which one you have on your system is a little more complicated because some motherboards don't accurately identify your device as USB 2.0.




*These sites have been quoted directly as I believe what they say about their sites or they already know what to say, better than I do.
These names and logos belong to and are copyrighted or trademarked by the site owners.



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