Troubleshooting & Rescue Tools

Here is a summary of some of the troubleshooting tips and  tools available from Microsoft or third parties for free.  Note that for third party tools you can download an "iso" file that can be burned directly to a CD (or DVD if size requires it), or you can use a USB boot tool (see my other post on creating bootable USB drives).  BalenaEtcher is great for Linux based tools, while Ventoy is great for Windows tools!

The Past, Present & Future of Computing & Innovation

(Updated 9/21/25) One cannot understand current PC technology without understanding the origins of the personal computer and the evolution of connectivity--from the first PC local area networks to the ubiquity of the Internet of today.  Origins of the first PC operating systems such as MS-DOS can be traced all the way back to arguably the oldest OS still in use today, with beginnings that predate microcomputers - UNIX.

 Computing and innovation are in perpetual motion. To truly understand today’s technology and anticipate what comes next, historical perspective is essential. The early evolution of personal computers (PCs) set the stage—from the development of networking and UNIX, to the explosive growth of the Internet and cloud computing. These foundational technologies not only shaped today’s digital world but also prepared us for the era of artificial intelligence (AI).