I have a few tips lined up, I will do the linux one today and my C Sharp tip tomorrow.

I had to fix a machine where it could not boot from it's hard drive. So I decided to try out Pendrivelinux which allowed me to try and see if I could save some files from the hard drive and finally get it to boot up again.

The link above shows you how to install this debian version of linux onto a usb stick so you have a portable operating system with you where ever you go.