Looking for, diagnostics, file retrieval and mobo tester.

Hi, just posting this to see if anybody can make any recommendations for the following items.

A good general all round program that will run tests on all the hardware and produce a report. I don't expect a free version to do this and would be happy to pay for one.

File retrieval software for use on corrupt or failed hard drives (not completely failed). Stellar Phoenix looks quite good but is there anything better.

Anyone who has had any hands on experience with electronic motherboard testers, heaps of different cheap ones around but do any of them do a reliable job. If you know of any particular model can you offer a link to it.

Is there anything out there that will do a good job on testing a PSU.

Any recommendation would be appreciated even if it is for only one of these items.

This book: Amazon.com: Upgrading and Repairing PCs (19th Edition) (9780789739544): Scott William Mueller: Books has the details and it also has another 1000 pages on hardware. Bad news is that its an old edition, so I'd wait for the 20th edition if you want the new Sandy Bridge info. Good info DVD too.

With the greatest of respect I just wanted recommended software and hardware from people who have had hands on experience. I repair plenty of PC's but was wondering if I may be missing out on some better diagnostics software and I am very keen to know if the many electronic mobo testers are up to the job. They look too good to be true as many are less than €10 and all seem to be bare circuit boards. Am I being too sceptical.

I'd only buy testers that are around 50 euro's or so. The bare ones will give inaccurate readings.

Have you got a link to any?

This will do some of what you want: PCI Test Card, PC Analyzer, Motherboard Test Card

Hello Mark.

I don't have any personal experience with these diagnostics but a friend of mine does and he swears by them. The company has been around since 1999 and several of their products have a free trial period available. You might find something that strikes your fancy.

PC Diag Award-Winning Diagnostic Software For PC Maintenance

Thanks for that, I had already found that site just needed someone else to say if the software was any good, so thankyou. One thing I did notice on that site is the hardware, it appears to be identical to items on Ebay that are a fraction of the cost and the laptop tester is only for use via a printer port, many latops do not have printer ports so the search is still on.

Any more recommendations would be most appreciated.

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