Favorite diagnostic software

I have used various types of diagnostic software in the past, and I cannot say that I am pleased with the results of any of them.

I have a computer that appears to have bad video memory right now... I figured this would be a great time to find a program that can actually confirm this. I've run sandra burn in test, pass mark, and a free video memory tester and nothing has caught it.

I want basically a one click AIO solution that is fairly accurate and tests all hardware. I don't really need to confirm that my VC is bad, I basically want something more accurate for the future. For example, I sold around 200 laptops last year and I like to run diagnostics on them prior to sale. I don't have time to sit with each computer and play a game, or generally screw with it in order to find the problems manually. For this same reason, I like AIO solutions. My issue is that if my current tests cannot find an obviously faulty VC, what else are they missing?

Thinking about it, the only diagnostic program I have been satisfied with is dells onboard diagnostics. It generally gives you a great run down over everything... it catches things that you don't normally even consider...

Anyone use something like I am describing that is generally successful in discovering faulty hardware?

Check on each OEM web site for manufacturer's diagnostic tools.
As you say, Dell do one, you can find one for Fujitsu on there web site.

A friend who has a repair shop swears by this (note ... he does not swear AT this :) ). Kinda pricey but as they say, you get what you pay for.

Computer Diagnostic Software- Professional Hardware Diagnostics Kit

Two I use and like, both freeware ...

Win audit > WinAudit - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

SIW > SIW | System Information for Windows by Gabriel Topala

marsmimar said:

A friend who has a repair shop swears by this (note ... he does not swear AT this :) ). Kinda pricey but as they say, you get what you pay for.

Computer Diagnostic Software- Professional Hardware Diagnostics Kit

Man that's pricey. That site is a bit sketchy... the sale that expires today, seems to expire today no matter what day it is.... I don't think I would go with a site that offers no trial and infomercial pricing

Ciara said:

Two I use and like, both freeware ...

Win audit > WinAudit - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

SIW > SIW | System Information for Windows by Gabriel Topala

I checked these out, they both seem like cool pieces of software to have on a flash drive, but they seem to be more of hardware information software than diagnostics.

Non Free....PC Check from Eurosoft does a thorough check of your system including video.

http://www.eurosoft-uk.com/pccheck.html

cokewithvanilla said:

marsmimar said:

A friend who has a repair shop swears by this (note ... he does not swear AT this :) ). Kinda pricey but as they say, you get what you pay for.

Computer Diagnostic Software- Professional Hardware Diagnostics Kit

Man that's pricey. That site is a bit sketchy... the sale that expires today, seems to expire today no matter what day it is.... I don't think I would go with a site that offers no trial and infomercial pricing

I have no stake in this company or their products. I checked with my friend and he says they've been in business since 1999 and they do offer a free trial. It allows repairs to six separate PCs so the potential buyer can evaluate the features. Just throwing this out as an FYI.

PC Diagnostics

wilywombat said:

Non Free....PC Check from Eurosoft does a thorough check of your system including video.

Pc-Check Diagnostic Software

I'm about to give this a test run here. I'll let ya know how it goes. Thanks for the recommendation.

marsmimar said:

I have no stake in this company or their products. I checked with my friend and he says they've been in business since 1999 and they do offer a free trial. It allows repairs to six separate PCs so the potential buyer can evaluate the features. Just throwing this out as an FYI.

PC Diagnostics

I know, I wasn't trying to say you did. I did not see the trial, so thanks for showing me that. I am still a bit skeptical. The infomercial style 'act now' pricing gives me an uneasy feeling. Even if it is legit, I don't think I could buy from someone who is trying to trick me into thinking I am getting a sweet deal... it's like the junk store in a tourist town that is always going out of business.

I will try the stuff from Eurosoft, and if I think it sucks, I will continue my search

You may also like to try HWiNFO, A handy free tool. I used to use SIW too as already mentioned above but I see it is no longer free for the new versions.

HWiNFO32 Download

Screenshots >HWiNFO32

I am, again, losing my faith in diagnostics software. I ran Eurosoft on my computer with bad video memory, and it passed with flying colors. I ran it on a computer with a bad cpu, and it also passed with flying colors.

I replaced the VC on the one and CPU on the other and all problems are solved... how come the software doesn't catch this?