Computer Help and Resources

This page will provide you with links to computer-related information and resources. Some of the information available is external to our website. O'Connor Consulting has included these sites because we believe they provide information and/or services that you will find useful. However, since these sites are not under our control, we cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by them. Linking to these websites does not constitute an endorsement by O'Connor Consulting or any of its employees of the sponsors of these site or any products or services presented on them.

Apple Computer Repair Tools, Tips, and Manuals
An informational resource for technicians and users to repair computers, with specific info about Apple Macintosh computers and other products.

BIOS Beep Codes
Beep codes are the beeps you hear from the PC speaker when you turn on your computer. They're your computer's way of letting you know what's going on when there is no video signal, and are programmed into the BIOS of the PC.

CNET Printer Reviews
CNET's printer reviews. For each printer model, you can get a list of price comparions from online sellers such as TigerDirect, CDW, PC Mall, and Insight. You can choose to list printers by price, manufacturer, printer type, printer media type, review date, reviews rating and more.

Computer Training Schools
If you are considering computer training or computer certification, you'll find Computer Training Schools a great source of information on computer schools, computer certifications, and training programs. Also has compiled the most frequently asked questions and answers regarding the different training and certification options available

Dictionaries and Encyclopedias
A list of sites that provide online dictionaries or encyclopedias.

Domain Name Information and Tools
Information about domain names and tools to help you identify and mange them.

Free Online Virus Scanners and Security Tests
Links to online anti-virus scanners and security test sites. This list is in alphabetical order and no particular recommendations are impled as to which ones to use, although we have used most of them at one time or another and found them useful.

Free / Open Source Software
The links on this page are to free and open source software - software that you may legally download and use without paying a fee.

HTML / CSS / Link Validators
HTML validators (these check HTML code for standards compliance and errors), CSS validators (these check Cascading Style Sheets for errors and standards compliance), browser compatibility checkers (these check your pages to see if they are compatible with different browsers), broken/dead link checkers, and accessibility checkers (these check your pages to determine if they are accessible to people with disabilities).

Internet Archive: Wayback Machine
Browse through 55 billion web pages archived from 1996 to a few months ago. To start surfing the Wayback, type in the web address of a site or page where you would like to start, and press enter. Then select from the archived dates available. The resulting pages point to other archived pages at as close a date as possible. Keyword searching is not currently supported.

Javatester.com
This web site can verify that your web browser is capable of running Java applets in web pages. If your browser is capable, then you can also use this site to see which version of the Java run time environment (JVM) your web browser is using. Also explains how to install and upgrade Java, and configuring the Java options in your browser.

Podcasting
Podcasting got its name from a combination of "iPod" and "Broadcasting" combined. While many dislike the term (feeling it gives too much undeserved credit to Apple for the technology) the iPod's penetration has popularized the device to the point of being ubiquitous. This page explains what podcasting is, and provides numerous resources for creating and listening to podcasts.

PopupTest.com
Provides a simple and independent source for popup window testing.

Security Resources
Links to various security sites.

Spyware and Anti-Spyware Resources
A list of links that provide information and/or tools to help in the identification, prevention, and removal of spyware.

Test Macromedia Shockwave & Flash Players
Macromedia's page to determine if you have the Flash and Shockwave plug-ins installed in your browser. NOTE: This page will attempt to download and install the plug-ins if they're not installed.

Troubleshooting Windows
A list of some of the best free Windows help sites on the Web.