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20 Tools for Trouble-Free Computing

Want to make everyday tasks easier, safer--even more entertaining? These no-hassle utilities do the job right.

By Robert Luhn and Kirk Steers   

Complete Coverage

Classic Utilities: Tools That Have Passed the Test of Time

Computers have changed immeasurably over the years, but people still rely on certain classic utilities, year in and year out.

First and foremost is Norton Utilities 2003 ($50), originally released back in 1984. Beginning as a utility for testing your hard drive, Norton Utilities has kept pace with computer technology, providing a comprehensive set of tools for looking at the innards of your system.

Steve Gibson's SpinRite 5 ($89) has a similarly long and distinguished history. It's been the ultimate low-level format/repair/recovery tool for hard drives since 1988, when the size of such drives was measured in megabytes. Now they are measured in gigabytes, but SpinRite still provides tools for fixing them.

LapLink Gold 11 ($89) is another great old-timer: It debuted in 1987 as a program for copying files over a serial connection between computers running DOS. LapLink has since evolved into a comprehensive syncing, migration, and remote access suite, adding capabilities without losing sight of the core features that have made it a classic.

--Robert Luhn

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