Rely on Windows tools for troubleshooting--they're free and built right into Windows.
HWINFO: The hardware info utility is a terrific way to track down problems. Select Start, Run, then type hwinfo.exe/ui and press Enter. Once the utility is loaded, click on View and check Devices with Problems.
MS system info: Get a peek at the inside of your system. Select Start, Run, then type msinfo32 and press Enter. Can't find msinfo32? Dig out your Windows 98 CD-ROM, select Start, Settings, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, click Windows Setup, scroll down to and select System Tools, click the Details button, and click System Monitor. Click OK and OK.
Using Windows 95? Unfortunately, Microsoft didn't include the msconfig utility in Windows 95. Instead, use sysedit. Select Start, Run, type sysedit, and press Enter. You can also download copies of Startup Control Panel and Sandra Standard from the PCWrold downloads library; both utilities tweak your system's configuration files.
Trouble: You deleted a file and just realized that you need it for something.
Fix: Now you've done it. You were so sure you didn't want that file that you bypassed the Recycle Bin and permanently erased it by holding down the Shift key when you deleted it. Solution? Download a trial version of Ontrack's EasyRecovery. It resuscitates the first five lost-beyond-the-grave files. You can also buy EasyRecovery for $89, or get Lost & Found from PowerQuest for $70. Both programs bring deleted files back from the dead--even if you've already formatted your drive.
To find duplicate DLLs and rename them, download DLL Checker from VB2Java.com.
Get the latest DLL - if an error message names a specific DLL, search for the current version at Microsoft's DLL Help database, http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/dllinfo.asp
Go to the Netscape Unofficial FAQ. The company also has an index of all consumer articles that lists technical, yet helpful, articles on troubleshooting error messages.
Baffling hardware problems may indicate a virus infection. If you aren't running a virus scanner (You do like to take chances, don't you?), head to Trend Micro's HouseCall (housecall.antivirus.com), a free Web-based service that detects and removes viruses.
Your PC crashed, so you press the power button. Nothing happens. Press it again, keeping it depressed for at least 20 seconds. Some PCs have software-driven power buttons that may fail if Windows crashes.