Favorite diagnostic software

[cokewithvanilla]

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?

 

[theog]

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.

 

[marsmimar]

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

 

[Ciara]

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

 

[cokewithvanilla]

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

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.

 

[wilywombat]

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

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

 

[marsmimar]

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

 

[cokewithvanilla]

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.

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

 

[Cookieman]

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

 

[cokewithvanilla]

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?