Question Best apps for diagnosing Windows computer and laptop hardware problems?

[Advaitom]

I work for a large charity and they’ve asked me to help with fixing their computers (mostly Windows laptops). I’ve done some computer repair in the past, and I'm getting up to date with current hardware and software.

I recently played around a bit with the Windows built-in diagnostic apps and they seem ok. I’m sure other apps are even better.

What are your fav apps for diagnosing Windows computer hardware issues? Both free and paid apps.

 

[kanewolf]

I work for a large charity and they’ve asked me to help with fixing their computers (mostly Windows laptops). I’ve done some computer repair in the past, and I'm getting up to date with current hardware and software.

I recently played around a bit with the Windows built-in diagnostic apps and they seem ok. I’m sure other apps are even better.

What are your fav apps for diagnosing Windows computer hardware issues? Both free and paid apps.

Laptops typically have three problems
Software --- Fix with a clean install of Windows
Overheating -- Fix with disassembly, cleaning and applying thermal paste. Possible fan replacement required.
Battery -- Fix by replacing battery

Much less frequent
Memory -- Test with MEMTEST86
Storage -- Replace with SSD and install Windows

 

[USAFRet]

In addition to the 'Software' mentioned above - User installed crap!

Fixed with a full wipe and reinstall, but the better thing is to not let the average user install random gunk in the first place.

 

[geofelt]

A simple usb drive with
memtest86 or memtest86+
They boot from a usb stick and do not use windows.
You can download them here:

MemTest86 - Official Site of the x86 Memory Testing Tool

MemTest86 is the original self booting memory testing software for x86 and ARM computers. Supporting both BIOS and UEFI, with options to boot from USB.

www.memtest86.com

Memtest86+ | The Open-Source Memory Testing Tool

Memtest86+ is an advanced, free, open-source, stand-alone memory tester for 32- and 64-bit computers (UEFI & BIOS supported)

www.memtest.org

If you can run a full pass with NO errors, your ram should be ok.

For heat issues like cpu throttling, run HWmonitor.
It will record the current, minimum and maximum temperatures and fan speeds.

A easy stress test is cpu-Z.

If the laptops use a HDD for windows, performance is improved dramatically when converted to a ssd.
Replace with a samsung ssd of suitable size and type.
Use the samsung ssd migration aid to copy the windows C drive to the ssd.
APP and instructions here:

Tool & Software Download | Samsung Semiconductor Global

Download various software related to your product, including Samsung Magician, designed for use with Samsung's memory products, and find related information.

semiconductor.samsung.com

Laptops will have small strange screws; buy a simple laptop repair kit like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Sc...ool+kit+for+laptop&qid=1673108916&sr=8-4&th=1

 

[Advaitom]

@kanewolf @USAFRet @geofelt Thanks for the guidance and info. I made notes of them all.

Question: How often do you find the root problem to be a corrupted HDD drive? (bad sectors) In the past I used Spinrite to scan HDD drives and it often found corrupted sectors and fixed them.

(I don't use Spinrite anymore cuz way too slow on modern large drives. Hopefully new version out soon.)

 

[USAFRet]

@kanewolf @USAFRet @geofelt Thanks for the guidance and info. I made notes of them all.

Question: How often do you find the root problem to be a corrupted HDD drive? (bad sectors) In the past I used Spinrite to scan HDD drives and it often found corrupted sectors and fixed them.

(I don't use Spinrite anymore cuz way too slow on modern large drives. Hopefully new version out soon.)

In the last decade or so, I've had 2.5 out of a couple of dozen HDDs fail.
1 - 3TB WD. 5 weeks old, replaced under warranty. Went from working to dead in about 36 hours.
2 - 16TB Toshiba. 7 months old, replaced under warranty. Went from 0 to 14,000+ bad sectors in about a week.
The ".5" - 8TB Seagate. Currently showing a few bad sectors as reported by my NAS.

Most drive professionals consider "Spinrite" to be snake oil at best.

 

[geofelt]

I no longer use HDD's.
But, I used the manufacturer's diagnostic app.
Seatools for seagate an data lifeguard for WD.

 

[Advaitom]

I no longer use HDD's.
But, I used the manufacturer's diagnostic app.
Seatools for seagate an data lifeguard for WD.

This is a great tip. Thanks. I also use HDSentinel Pro to scan and fix drives. So now I'm curious, what do the pros think about the usefulness of HDSentinel Pro?

 

[alceryes]

@kanewolf @USAFRet @geofelt Thanks for the guidance and info. I made notes of them all.

Question: How often do you find the root problem to be a corrupted HDD drive? (bad sectors) In the past I used Spinrite to scan HDD drives and it often found corrupted sectors and fixed them.

(I don't use Spinrite anymore cuz way too slow on modern large drives. Hopefully new version out soon.)

If users had admin rights to the laptops, expect the worst. I'd wager 50-80% of those OSs have been abused with crap softwares.
If no data or apps are needed (or if you have the licenses for things like MS Office separately), I would just start an assemply like of wiping and reloading the OS. The end user will get a snappy, clean new OS and many of the issues you may experience in diagnosing will get deleted with the old OS. It's so much easier to diagnose random issues when you know the OS isn't as fault and an OS install can weed out some hardware failures in and of itself. You definitely need to confirm you have the OS and application licenses you need before doing this though.

Aside from this, grab the latest Hiren's boot USB. It has a bunch of diagnostic tools (hardware testing, etc.) to make your diagnostics easier.

 

[Advaitom]

Aside from this, grab the latest Hiren's boot USB. It has a bunch of diagnostic tools (hardware testing, etc.) to make your diagnostics easier.

Yep, Great suggestion. Thanks. I downloaded Hiren's and now looking for an app to install it onto my USB drive.

 

[alceryes]

Yep, Great suggestion. Thanks. I downloaded Hiren's and now looking for an app to install it onto my USB drive.

Rufus can do that.

 

[Advaitom]

Rufus can do that.

I'm on Ubuntu. The usual Ubuntu ISO app didn't work for some reason. I did some googling and Etcher worked. I got Hiren's installed on my USB. I also found the 'Windows Repair Tools' ISO which also has lots of good tools.