How to test computer components?

[ArcticWolf]

How would I test these following parts so I know that they are not faulty?

• 
  RAM
  Motherboard
  CPU
  GPU
  Hard Drives (That there are no bad sectors)
  Power Supply

May you link any helpful software/techniques that could run tests on these? I want a really thorough scan on these components to make sure there is nothing wrong with them. Thanks in advance!

 

[N3rdR4ge]

Testing and/or troubleshooting hardware

Disclamer:
Recommendations from this guide are based on hardware diagnosis only. Software can cause problems that are similar to hardware issues. Please do not spend time or money on replacements if you have not spent the time to make sure your issue is not software related. Use your judgement to figure out what part needs to be tested first.

Important Information:
Your machine may power on with no output to the screen. It may also emit beeps. These beeps help point out hardware issues. Each motherboard may have different beep codes depending on model/manufacturer. This information is provided by the motherboard's manual or manufactur's website. Please firmiliarize yourself with the link below this paragraph if you are experiencing this.

-POST and beep codes explained: http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

Guidelines:
-Click Spoiler to reveal troubleshooting steps.
-Under each spoiler, troubleshooting steps are in numerical order of what needs to be done first to last.
-All recommendations are based on a system where no overclocking has been done through software or BIOS/UEFI.
-If you are unfirmiliar with something or it wasnt explained completely here, please google search it or ask the community. You'd be surprised how many people don't just google search it.


RAM:

Spoiler

Signs:
-Hanging and generally deteriorating performance.
-Blue screens.
-Random crashes.
-System showing less RAM than you actually installed.
-Failure to POST.
-Freezing.

1) Test with software by searching and opening windows memory diagnostic in your start menu. restart computer to run test. If no POST, ignore this and see next steps.
2) Check your motherboards manual and make sure your RAM sticks are configured in the correct slots. Some motherboards are picky.
3) Test system with only one stick of ram installed. Then, try the same stick in the second slot, third slot, etc. Then, try the other sticks you have one at a time, same steps as previous stick.

MOBO:

Spoiler

**This can only be physically tested with replacement of a known working motherboard. Usually second to last suspect, last being CPU.**

Signs:
-Failure to POST.
-Burning smell or smoke.
-No power. (PSU should be tested and replaced before the motherboard with no power issues.)

1) Update to the most recent BIOS/UEFI version if you can get into your BIOS/UEFI. If not, ignore this step.
2) Clear CMOS by removing power plug to your machine and battery on motherboard for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, replace battery. There are several other methods depending on your motherboard. Check the motherboard's manual.
3) Change CMOS battery.

CPU:

Spoiler

**Failure is extremely uncommon. Replacement of the CPU is your ABSOLUTE last resort when, literally, everything else fails. Even then, it probably isn't the CPU and you overlooked something.**

Signs:
-Failure to POST.
-Computer powers on, then off immediately.
-Blue Screens.
-Random crashes.
-Freezing.

1) Run a software test like Intel® Processor Diagnostic Tool.
2) Uninstall physical CPU, check for any bent pins thoroughly and reseat back into the socket. Reapply thermal paste and heatsink. This step is especially important if this is a new machine with issues off the bat.

GPU:

Spoiler

Signs:
-Blue screens.
-Poor performance in graphically intense programs.
-Freezing.
-Artifacts.
-Random crashes.
-No video.

1) Testing is done with graphically intense programs. One example is a benchmark program called Unigine Valley Benchmark. If the machine freezes or crashes, there may be an issue. Testing may beed to be done for several hours at a time.
2) If software testing causes freezing or crashing, try integrated graphics if available.
3) If integrated (CPU) graphics pass but dedidaced (GPU) does not, replace GPU. If both fail, GPU is not the issue.

HDD:

Spoiler

Signs:
-Hanging and generally deteriorating performance.
-Blue screens.
-Random restarts.
-Data loss, including lost personal files or operating system boot issues.
-Strange noises like clicking or grinding sounds.

1) Testing needs to be done with software like Western Digital Data Lifeguard Diagnostic.
2) When it comes to a hdd, there is only pass or fail. Replacement needed if testing fails.

PSU:

Spoiler

Signs:
-Failure to POST.
-Burning smell or smoke.
-No power.
-Performance issues, especially with custom built machines. For example, lack of sufficient power to a graphics card can cause it to have poor performance.

1) If this is a new machine, you'll need to firmlirize yourself with power requirements and PSU specifications to ensure you have the correct power supply for your machine. Buying generally insufficient or extremely budger, low end power supplies is a common practice among non-seasoned builders.
2) Buy a PSU Tester. Plenty are available on amazon. Example: Tester
3) Testers will sometimes still pass and you may need to replace with a known working PSU.

 

[ArcticWolf]

Testing and/or troubleshooting hardware

Disclamer:
Recommendations from this guide are based on hardware diagnosis only. Software can cause problems that are similar to hardware issues. Please do not spend time or money on replacements if you have not spent the time to make sure your issue is not software related. Use your judgement to figure out what part needs to be tested first.

Important Information:
Your machine may power on with no output to the screen. It may also emit beeps. These beeps help point out hardware issues. Each motherboard may have different beep codes depending on model/manufacturer. This information is provided by the motherboard's manual or manufactur's website. Please firmiliarize yourself with the link below this paragraph if you are experiencing this.

-POST and beep codes explained: http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

Guidelines:
-Click Spoiler to reveal troubleshooting steps.
-Under each spoiler, troubleshooting steps are in numerical order of what needs to be done first to last.
-All recommendations are based on a system where no overclocking has been done through software or BIOS/UEFI.
-If you are unfirmiliar with something or it wasnt explained completely here, please google search it or ask the community. You'd be surprised how many people don't just google search it.


RAM:

Spoiler

Signs:
-Hanging and generally deteriorating performance.
-Blue screens.
-Random crashes.
-System showing less RAM than you actually installed.
-Failure to POST.
-Freezing.

1) Test with software by searching and opening windows memory diagnostic in your start menu. restart computer to run test. If no POST, ignore this and see next steps.
2) Check your motherboards manual and make sure your RAM sticks are configured in the correct slots. Some motherboards are picky.
3) Test system with only one stick of ram installed. Then, try the same stick in the second slot, third slot, etc. Then, try the other sticks you have one at a time, same steps as previous stick.

MOBO:

Spoiler

**This can only be physically tested with replacement of a known working motherboard. Usually second to last suspect, last being CPU.**

Signs:
-Failure to POST.
-Burning smell or smoke.
-No power. (PSU should be tested and replaced before the motherboard with no power issues.)

1) Update to the most recent BIOS/UEFI version if you can get into your BIOS/UEFI. If not, ignore this step.
2) Clear CMOS by removing power plug to your machine and battery on motherboard for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, replace battery. There are several other methods depending on your motherboard. Check the motherboard's manual.
3) Change CMOS battery.

CPU:

Spoiler

**Failure is extremely uncommon. Replacement of the CPU is your ABSOLUTE last resort when, literally, everything else fails. Even then, it probably isn't the CPU and you overlooked something.**

Signs:
-Failure to POST.
-Computer powers on, then off immediately.
-Blue Screens.
-Random crashes.
-Freezing.

1) Run a software test like Intel® Processor Diagnostic Tool.
2) Uninstall physical CPU, check for any bent pins thoroughly and reseat back into the socket. Reapply thermal paste and heatsink. This step is especially important if this is a new machine with issues off the bat.

GPU:

Spoiler

Signs:
-Blue screens.
-Poor performance in graphically intense programs.
-Freezing.
-Artifacts.
-Random crashes.
-No video.

1) Testing is done with graphically intense programs. One example is a benchmark program called Unigine Valley Benchmark. If the machine freezes or crashes, there may be an issue. Testing may beed to be done for several hours at a time.
2) If software testing causes freezing or crashing, try integrated graphics if available.
3) If integrated (CPU) graphics pass but dedidaced (GPU) does not, replace GPU. If both fail, GPU is not the issue.

HDD:

Spoiler

Signs:
-Hanging and generally deteriorating performance.
-Blue screens.
-Random restarts.
-Data loss, including lost personal files or operating system boot issues.
-Strange noises like clicking or grinding sounds.

1) Testing needs to be done with software like Western Digital Data Lifeguard Diagnostic.
2) When it comes to a hdd, there is only pass or fail. Replacement needed if testing fails.

PSU:

Spoiler

Signs:
-Failure to POST.
-Burning smell or smoke.
-No power.
-Performance issues, especially with custom built machines. For example, lack of sufficient power to a graphics card can cause it to have poor performance.

1) If this is a new machine, you'll need to firmlirize yourself with power requirements and PSU specifications to ensure you have the correct power supply for your machine. Buying generally insufficient or extremely budger, low end power supplies is a common practice among non-seasoned builders.
2) Buy a PSU Tester. Plenty are available on amazon. Example: Tester
3) Testers will sometimes still pass and you may need to replace with a known working PSU.

Thanks for the amazing reply!

 

[N3rdR4ge]

thanks. couldnt sleep last night haha. might update it more and make it a tutorial.