Dave's Garage Courses

Unlocking the Secrets of Magnetic Storage - NRZI, GCR, MFM, and RLL Explained

Discover how magnetic storage evolved through various encoding formats like NRZI, GCR, MFM, and RLL, understanding the ingenious solutions for storing digital data on magnetic media.

• YouTube
• 16 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

How One Line of Code Crashed AT&T's Long-Distance Network

Uncover the software bug that caused AT&T's massive 1990 network outage, exploring its technical details, impact, and lessons for the telecom industry on software complexity and testing.

• YouTube
• 15 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Optimizing Hard Drives and SSDs with SpinRite - A Guide to Data Life Extension

Discover how to optimize hard drives and SSDs using SpinRite, exploring techniques to extend data life and maintain drive health while learning about historical computer storage systems.

• YouTube
• 13 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Stuxnet Cyberweapon Explained

Uncover the intricacies of Stuxnet, the groundbreaking cyberweapon that targeted Iran's nuclear facilities. Explore its sophisticated design, deployment methods, and global impact through a retired Windows engineer's perspective.

• YouTube
• 18 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Formatting Ancient Hard Drives in PDP-11 Minicomputers - Drive Mounting with RT-11 and RSX-11M

Dive into vintage computing as you learn to replace and format hard drives for PDP-11 minicomputers, including mounting procedures for RT-11 and RSX-11M operating systems.

• YouTube
• 12 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

How One Line of Code Led to the Mars Polar Lander Catastrophe

Uncover the fascinating story of how a single software error led to the Mars Polar Lander's devastating crash, exploring crucial lessons in spacecraft engineering and the importance of thorough testing.

• YouTube
• 15 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Kernel Mode vs User Mode: Why it Matters, What You Need to Know

Explore kernel mode's critical role in OS security and performance. Understand vulnerabilities, system structures, and real-world impacts on gaming and stability.

• YouTube
• 16 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The REAL Reason There Could Never Be a Windows 9

Discover the technical reasons behind Microsoft's decision to skip Windows 9, explained by Dave in this ShopTalk excerpt.

• YouTube
• 17 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

IBM Stretch: Building the World's Fastest Computer

Explore the fascinating story of IBM 7030 "Stretch" supercomputer, its revolutionary technology, and how it was developed to perform complex nuclear simulations in the 1950s and 60s.

• YouTube
• 20 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Inside Story of the Windows Start Menu

Explore the evolution of the Windows Start Menu through the eyes of retired Windows developer Dave Plummer, from its Cairo origins to Windows 11.

• YouTube
• 14 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Jet KVM - Take Control of ANY PC

Discover how the JetKVM works and how it allows you to take control of any PC with this comprehensive demonstration and explanation.

• YouTube
• 13 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Windows Longhorn Explained

Discover the inside story of Windows Longhorn from a retired Microsoft engineer, revealing behind-the-scenes insights into this pivotal Microsoft operating system project.

• YouTube
• 24 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Real Reason Windows is Free - And What That Costs You

Discover the true reasons behind Windows 10's free distribution and the hidden costs for users, explained by a former Microsoft engineer.

• YouTube
• 18 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Microsoft's Dirty Secret: Your Old PC is Now Trash

Discover how Windows TPM requirements are making older computers obsolete, as explained by retired Windows developer Dave Plummer.

• YouTube
• 14 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

WinFS: Windows Future Storage - What You Need to Know

Discover the story of Microsoft's canceled WinFS project from a retired engineer, exploring its innovative file system-database hybrid design, technical challenges, and lasting influence on Windows search capabilities.

• YouTube
• 15 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video