More and more, I am faced with hardware problems (as opposed to malware or OS corruption) on computers I'm asked to diagnose.

Can anyone recommend or suggest a good Hardware diagnostic utility or utilities that will make my job easier? At this point, going the old route of unhooking one component at a time (or unhooking all and adding one back in at a time) is taking its toll on me. Spending $$ on a good reliable software tool that can be run from a USB drive, CD, or installed and uninstalled for troubleshooting multiple systems is warranted.

Any help is appreciated. Many thanks.

Thanks,
Brian

I don't think any software program will ever replace good ol' fashioned troubleshooting.

Agreed. Looking at the options however.

Thanks,
Brian

SIW.exe is not a diagnostic utility but it is the most comprehensive freeware to give you info on about every aspect of the computer. There is also a paid version which may do more. You could email the author to ask about the differences. There are many standalone utilities to test specific items. memtest86 for RAM, speeddisk for harddrives are two that come to mind.

Sisoft SANDRA has both free and paid versions of their swissknife type software suite. The freeware versions have many of the modules disabled.

Look at the freeware threead at this site.

http://forums.pcper.com/showthread....

I too agree that the old fashioned diagnostic is the best way.

LOL What's the old fashioned way of troubleshooting intermittent lock ups?

[After replacing everything but CPU and mobo.]

=====================================
If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.

M2

Free is event viewer, performance monitor and
dump logs and Dr. Watson 32.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308538

Search for hardware diagnostic software and other types of searches. Diag suites are very good in many cases. They are never perfect. All OEM lines use some sort of diag software. Normally locally produced for techs only but some offer that too on web pages.

I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.

"What's the old fashioned way of troubleshooting intermittent lock ups?"

Same way as you would troubleshoot anything else...process of elimination. Simply replacing parts that you *think* are the problem is NOT troubleshooting.

Yep jam is right.

Problem is, the only thing left to 'replace' is the IDE controller. [By putting in a controller card. And if that ain't it, I'll have a card I don't need.]

=====================================
If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.

M2