The Diagnostic Software catalog includes programs developed to evaluate, monitor, and optimize your computer system. The software programs in this directory may provide basic system information. Five Best Computer Diagnostic Tools. Computer diagnostics tools are pieces of software that give you the knowledge you need to be able to potentially repair your own computer. Some of these tools come built in to your operating system while others come from 3rd party software developers. Either way, these tools help save you time and money.
Microsoft has made it easier to browse for help when one of its products acts up. The revamped Fix It Solution Center boils troubleshooting down to three steps: pick a product (optional), choose a fix in one of eight categories (and handful of optional subcategories), and then view or run one of Microsoft's many proposed solutions.
Of course, the real test is whether these auto-repair tools actually do any good. I haven't done enough testing to form an opinion one way or the other. However, the online Fix It tools differ from the troubleshooting utilities built into Windows 7, Office, and other Microsoft products, so at the least they broaden the universe of possible automated fixes for software snafus.
Still, you may have a better chance of finding a solution to a specific problem by searching by keyword on the Microsoft Support site.
Taking Microsoft's troubleshooting advice
I ran several of the Fix It Solution Center's performance and security tools on a Windows 7 notebook. Even if they don't actually fix anything, the troubleshooters provide a wealth of information about your system. For example, the Internet Explorer Performance and Safety tester indicates the time each of your Internet Explorer add-ons takes to load. I'm not sure where I would find this information elsewhere. The IE tool also lets you disable the add-ons you don't need.
I ran several of the Fix It Solution Center's performance and security tools on a Windows 7 notebook. Even if they don't actually fix anything, the troubleshooters provide a wealth of information about your system. For example, the Internet Explorer Performance and Safety tester indicates the time each of your Internet Explorer add-ons takes to load. I'm not sure where I would find this information elsewhere. The IE tool also lets you disable the add-ons you don't need.
The IE Performance and Safety tester takes only few seconds to run, after which you are presented with Microsoft's suggested tweaks. In addition to recommending that I disable some IE add-ons that were slowing the browser down, the tool suggested that I enable Data Execution Prevention, which I wasn't aware was disabled.
After suggesting and implementing the settings changes, the Fix It tool asks whether the problem has been fixed and provides links to the Microsoft community and support sites where you can search for other possible solutions. The applet also offers to contact a Microsoft support professional for help with the problem, although you may have to pay for the privilege.
Likewise, the Windows performance tweaker lets you prevent programs you don't need from starting automatically, among other options.
The categories of Fix It solutions include Desktop, program, and file management; games, audio, video, and images; Internet and networking; hardware and software installation and upgrades; printing, faxing, scanning, and sharing; performance, errors, and crashes; and security, privacy, and user accounts. In some categories you'll find several dozen potential fixes, while in others there may be only one solution offered.
Other software auto-fix options
Windows and other Microsoft products have their own built-in troubleshooting tools that bear little or no resemblance to the Fix It troubleshooters. For example, Windows 7's Action Center Control Panel applet alerts you to system problems via an icon in the taskbar's notification area. You can also use the Action Center to view the machine's security and maintenance status.
Windows and other Microsoft products have their own built-in troubleshooting tools that bear little or no resemblance to the Fix It troubleshooters. For example, Windows 7's Action Center Control Panel applet alerts you to system problems via an icon in the taskbar's notification area. You can also use the Action Center to view the machine's security and maintenance status.
Click the Action Center's link to the Control Panel's Troubleshooting applet to find about a dozen options for fixing problems related to program compatibility, hardware and audio, networking, security, Windows Update, performance, and power usage. (Information for troubleshooting Vista and Windows XP is available on Microsoft's TechNet site.)
When it comes to problems with Office applications, you're not likely to find much help in the programs' built-in help systems. (Note that Office 2007 apps include a built-in diagnostic routine; see the Microsoft Support site for more information.)
You could attempt to sort through the links on Microsoft's support site for Office 2007 and 2010 or the equivalent site for Office 2003, but if the Office Fix It solutions don't help, your best bet may be to use the repair feature of the Office installer.
![Pc Diagnostic Tool Pc Diagnostic Tool](/uploads/1/2/5/6/125619803/389082089.png)
To do so, open the Control Panel Programs and Features applet (Add or Remove Programs in Windows XP), select your version of Office, click the Change button at the top of the list, select Repair in the wizard that opens, and follow the wizard's instructions. The Microsoft Support site provides more information about repairing Office 2010, Office 2007, and Office 2003.
Even if your system appears to be running well, you may benefit from using Microsoft's Fix It and other diagnostic tools. Most PC users rely on automatic updates of their system, security, and application software. But programs sometimes conflict in ways their vendors can't predict. Few of these software glitches slam the brakes on your system--but they are likely to slow it down a little or a lot.
That's why your PC now needs a regular tuneup to keep running smoothly--just like your car. In an upcoming post I'll compare Microsoft's Fix It tools to other free online PC diagnostic services.
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If you’ve ever opened up your computer, you know there is a lot of hardware in there. It’s all a potential point of failure. There are certain pieces of hardware which are more prone to failure than others.
Equipment that either generates heat or has moving parts tends to fail most often. Thanks to computer hardware tests, you can scan your system and spot failing hardware before everything crashes.
What Can Go Wrong With PC Hardware?
The parts that most commonly break are fans, hard disk drives, CPUs, and GPUs.
RAM also tends to fail too. It is continually being written and re-written to (flashed). Solid-state memory can only handle so many flashes before it begins to fail. The problem also applies to solid-state hard drives.
The best way to avoid being caught out is to perform regular hardware diagnostic tests on your computer. Here’s how to do hardware tests on Windows 10.
Windows 10 Hardware Diagnostic Tools
Windows 10 has two built-in hardware diagnostic tools. The first analyzes system performance on your computer and the second runs memory tests on your Windows 10 PC.
- Performance Monitor
- Windows Memory Diagnostic
Performance Monitor
Performance Monitor is a native desktop app on Windows 10. It’s the operating system’s most holistic tool for locating and diagnosing hardware and system issues.
To open the app, search for its name in Cortana and click on the link. You may have to wait for a few seconds while the app collects data.
If you want a quick overview of your system’s hardware, use the left-hand panel to navigate to Reports > System > System Diagnostics > [Computer Name].
It provides you with multiple checks for your hardware, software, CPU, network, disk, and memory, along with a long list of detailed statistics.
Dig a little deeper, and you’ll find live performance graphs (in Monitoring Tools > Performance Monitor) and customizable data sets (in Data Collector Sets).
Windows Memory Diagnostic
A computer’s central processing unit (CPU) uses RAM to store short-term information. Anything contained in the RAM is lost when you turn off your machine.
There are lots of warning signs when your RAM is close to failing5 Signs and Symptoms That Your RAM Is About to Fail5 Signs and Symptoms That Your RAM Is About to FailIf you're having computer problems and you can't pinpoint the cause, faulty RAM may be the cause. Here are some signs to look out for and how to diagnose dying RAM.Read More. They include worsening performance, frequent crashes, video cards failing to load on boot, corrupted data files, and incorrect RAM information in the Windows System app.
If you’re wondering how to run a memory test on the RAM, you need to use the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool.
It works by writing to, then reading, your computer’s RAM. Differing values signal faulty hardware.
To launch the tool, press Windows + R to open the Run window, then type mdsched.exe and hit Enter. Windows will prompt you to restart your computer.
The test will take a few minutes to complete. When it’s over, your machine will once again restart. You’ll see the results of the screen once you return to the Windows desktop.
(If Windows doesn’t automatically show you the results, open the Event Viewer by right-clicking on the Start button, then head to Windows Logs > System and find the most recent file called MemoryDiagnostic.
Third-Party Hardware Diagnostic Apps
If you’re looking for something specific or a little more powerful, you’ll need to turn to third-party software.
There is a lot to choose from, but here are four of the best computer diagnostic apps13 Windows Diagnostics Tools to Check Your PC's Health13 Windows Diagnostics Tools to Check Your PC's HealthUse these computer diagnostic tools to run a PC health check and fix issues. Some support Windows 10 diagnostics, specifically.Read More.
1. MemTest86
MemTest86 is well established as the best tool to test your RAM on Windows. It’s more powerful than Microsoft’s Windows Memory Diagnostic tool.
The app has 13 different RAM testing algorithms and supports DDR4, DDR2, and DDR3 RAM. You can boot it directly from a USB stick or a CD, and Microsoft has signed the app’s code for Secure Boot compatibility.
Unlike the Windows tool, MemTest86 also has a full-featured graphical interface.
Download:MemTest86 (Free)
2. CrystalDiskInfo
If you want to focus on testing your hard drives, you should install CrystalDiskInfo.
The app’s key feature is the “Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology” (SMART) test. It provides data about several aspects of your drives, including the read error rate, a count of reallocated sectors, the spin-up time, and a whole lot more.
CrystalDiskInfo also includes advanced power management and audio management tools.
And, if you leave the app running in the background, it can even provide you with live alerts if drives become too hot or are suffering from other failures.
Download:CrystalDiskInfo (Free)
3. HWiNFO
HWiNFO is way ahead of the pack when it comes to the amount of information provides. Indeed, if you’re new to the world of hardware testing, we recommend giving this one a wide-berth until you’re more familiar with the concepts and terminology.
From a hardware test standpoint, we are most interested in the app’s system health monitoring features. They provide detailed real-time reports and graphs about your machine’s CPUs, GPUs, mainboards, drives, and peripherals.
You can also download a bunch of add-ins that provide HWiNFO with extra functionality. They include screen tuners, widgets, and log viewers.
Download:HWiNFO (Free)
4. RWEverything
Finally, we’ll leave you with a tool for uber-geeks: RWEverything. It won’t win any design awards, but it’s extraordinarily powerful.
You can use it to check almost every aspect of every piece of hardware in your machine. More pertinently, you can also write to all the hardware. That means you can tweak any setting, no matter how small.
Warning: If you don’t know what you’re doing, don’t start changing settings. You risk irrevocable damaging your hardware.
Download: RWEverything (Free)
Check Your Computer’s Battery Health
Another piece of laptop hardware that’s prone to failure is the battery.
We’ve written about five tools that’ll help your test the health of your laptop batteryThe 6 Best Tools to Analyze Laptop Battery HealthThe 6 Best Tools to Analyze Laptop Battery HealthDo you pay attention to your laptop's battery? Here are the best tools to stay on top of your laptop's battery life and health.Read More if you’d like to learn more.
Other Computer Hardware Tests
Keeping an eye on your hardware is only one part of maintaining a healthy computer that runs smoothly.
For more information, check out our guide to checking the health of a Windows PCHow to Check the Health of Your Windows 10 PC (And Keep It in Shape)How to Check the Health of Your Windows 10 PC (And Keep It in Shape)These essential Windows 10 health reports can tell you how your hardware is performing and hint at the issues that need fixing.Read More.
Explore more about: Computer Maintenance, Computer Parts, Hardware Tips, Scanner, Troubleshooting.
- No better off than where I started. I will try mem86 after I run out to get a usb to boot it from. That is the only software that would download from the provided link. As to more comprehensive hardware diagnostics you jump right to software that is only recommended for those with an advanced education in terminology and tweaking the settings. This means to me that that I cannot get a decent hardware diagnostic report on my computer without being a pro. Sort of like telling a patient that he needs to be a doctor to get a diagnosis.
- Where I find the same info for checking an XP system. I don't have Win10.
- hmm. if windows 10 is failing already that is a further indictment of Microsoft. your first tip is about windows 10..what about the rest of us who really could be in danger? like MS you could care less.. many of us are not a computer whizz. as a nearly 70 year old senior half of your explanations and ' helpful' hints were above my head.
again..who cares..we are not your demographic of choice anyway. wne to this article with hope left feeling ..geez what a waste.- Seriously, get a Mac. I have both PCs and Macs and have far less problems on my Macs. I love to give Apple a hard time, but can't argue with reliability.
- My experience with Speccy was about 50-50. It told me that the computer I used to download it was fine (it is, and I already knew that). However it couldn't tell me anything about the computer I actually bought it for because it evidently only works if there's an internet connection, and I bought it test the hardware and help determine why I can't get on the internet.
- There is a free version my dude. If you can't get on the internet, chances are it's a driver issue.
- Nice description of 'how to' with regards to upgrading RAM memory. I thought I was unlucky only having one slot so that I'd have to remove and discard the 4Gb card and replace with an 8Gb one. Having read about all the potential issues with the bios, maybe it wasn't so bad having only oneslot!
- Your instructions don't match what is on my screen. I am using Windows 8.1 (laptop).
I tried the
perfmon/report
but a box popped up that Windows could not find itCould not find any memory diagnostic tools either.- there's a space, perfmon /report
- I was away for about two weeks, when I returned my PC was extremely slow, couldnt handle games even at the lowest settings etc. I have now done everything I know of, even wiped the HD and reinstalled windows. I ran the perfmon /report and it said all of my components were poor or very poor, desktop rating 0. What can cause something like this and how do I fix it?
- First, make sure there isn't a lot of dust buildup or anything in computer. Use some compressed air to clean any dust out. Make sure you don't tilt the can. It also could be that something, or everything is going bad. What sucks with this is that dead hardware doesn't really come back to life. If you have extra components, I'd suggest swapping pieces out on at a time. It seems unlikely that everything would fail at the same time. You could try taking it to a tech repair place but they might just tell you to replace the computer.
- Just for curiosity, what are the ordered steps to follow, when doing pc diagnostics, similar to the ways pc technicians do at computer repair kiosks and stores?
- For checking hardware? You can run all these software tools but the easiest way to check for dead hardware is to replace it and see if it fixes the issue. Stores and kiosks probably have their own proprietary software but it can't be that much different from publicly available software.
- For probably over a year, now, whenever I try to burn a CD into my iTunes Music Library, only a few seconds of a few tracks actually go into the library. The names of all the other tracks show but do not play. My desktop is Windows Vista. Please can you help as I have not been able to put a CD into my Music Library for about 18 months plus?! Many thanks. Neil
- I've been experiencing crashes about once a day on my PC. I hadn't heard of the Resource & Performance Monitor previously, but running it was helpful - based on the results it looks like adding memory might fix the problem for me. Thanks for the informative article.
- i tried running that but it gives me an error that the admin refused the request, but i have admin privileges active on my windows 8 PC. any suggestions?
- excellent .. for most of us newbies - this is informative and helpful in getting started and checking some things,
- This article is supposed to be 'How To Test Your PC For Failing Hardware', and the only useful part is using Windows Memory Diagnostic to test the memory's reliability.The rest of the article is useless because software benchmarks and performance monitoring do not indicate whether the hardware is failing or not.Just like asking someone to do a speed performance test on a car to see if the car's air conditioning system is leaking or not, is it logical?
- You forgot the reliability monitor - that can tell you if those crashes are really as bad as you may think they are - and how often issues are genuinely occurring. We tend to have a bad memory for them - and it gives you a more dispassionate view.Control PanelSystem and SecurityAction CenterReliability Monitor
- Very helpful thanks!
- Great article! I have used some of those in various versions for years! Been in this field for 30 of them, so you can imagine some of the originals!
- Thank you for the article. Looks like a winner for PCmaintanance.
{ Now this is a 70 year old novice trying to catch up ? } - Very useful, and just in time. Starting to have problems, this should help solve the issue.
- Just Solid State Drive not Solid State Hard Drive (SSD not SSHD).
- I think this article will help some people to realize that their pc's have some self diagnostic tools that are readily available. My parents are not very computer savy and when I emailed this article they were astonished. I think this will help many people and prevent or at least postpone them having to spend big money to fix a registry problem or something along those lines. Thank you for this article...
- Love this article. Most people have no idea about the pre installed diagnostic tools on their pc or mac. I blog about your articles at least twice a month and this one will be my next topic. Thank you.
- http://i.imgur.com/sQrUJTp.png
^^ What happens every time I try to run the Resource and Performance Monitor.
Any suggestions?- DG,1. Run SFC utility to verify system files.
Info on this tool can be found here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/9298332. Perform clean boot to remove third party applications or start up items.
Follow steps from this link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/9291353. Generate the System Health Report.
* If the error persists troubleshooting will be necessary. However, this should alleviate any problems, thus allowing the report to generate.Guy,
they are all good tools. Belarc can pinpoint missed MS updates, retrieve product keys, and identify the last time each program was used so you can see what you don't need. Another program I use is Secunia PSI which monitors the programs that Windows doesn't and patches/updates them automatically.
- Great article, clearly i did not know most of this stuff. I tried the report thing and it worked. Been using Tuneup for a while now and i like it cos it does most of what you mention.
- Most BIOS have a inbuilt hard drive checker, better than any software as the drive is checked off-line, A tip for anyone using 3rd party sites for d/l software, try to use the vendors software site as a lot of the other sites wrap the download with spyware.
- in the past i used several program that detect failure in hardware. but my question is, is that info can be trustworthy like if i use scanhdd, it always show several spec that are over the limit and some time red marking. if that info really trustworthy or just an info of evaluate only? same with ramcheck. it allow me to refresh ram back to actual state. but i just dont seem any different when used it...
- I love the Sandra software. I tell my friends to use it to know about their computer.
- In Linux, too. But I broke down and bought W8 to find out what all the fuss was about.I like it, but it could be better, just like everything else in life....
- Great article. Thanks guys
- excellent post ...!!!
lot of things bcame clear.thanks a ton for sharing such useful info.hats off. - HDTune for hard drive. There’s a portable version too.
- I keep getting an error.An error occured while attempting to generate the report
- I used sisoft it seems years ago and had forgotten about it. Might be time to give it a try again. Great article. Thanks
- Can someone please tell me how do to get to the Administrative Tools and the Memory Diagnostic in Windows 8?
- u can search it by pressing windows logo key+c.go to search.type memory diagnostic ---- settings ---diagnose your computers memory problem. u ll gt the abve dialog box.
- Great article. I never knew any of those until now.
- I had used it at one time but after I installed Tuneup I no longer had any real use for it on my PC. am able to get similar info from one of the many subset s of the program
- great article as usual. I saw my old friend 'Sisoft Sandra' on the list, I've used it for years, but other freeware alternatives has replaced it for me somehow.
- Great article, Guy. thank you.I use Speccy on my computers at home and lso at school. I have a question, though. Asking an opinion, that is. What do you think of Belarc? I've used it before, but, I can't really figure it out. Its got too much info. And trying to figure out how to fix something is pretty tough. Any help?
- I use Belarc mostly as a utility to retrieve serial codes, but not for diagnostics of a pc. It can be used to see what service pack, updates, and other things are installed on the computer at the time and if any of those may or may not cause problems, but it is not necessarily a program for hardware diagnostics.
- this is good article, thanks i like it!