[SOLVED] Ok to test hardware without OS installed?

[CameronCant]

Basically I have some stuff like my old CPU and GPU I know works. I bought a Used set of Ram and a Used Motherboard off of EBay and a new PSU from Amazon.

I want to build my Son a PC but I want him to experience putting it together with me.

My question is it ok and reliable to just put everything together and see if it will POST before I but Windows and an SSD?

He lives out of State with his Mom and won't be here for a few more weeks and I just want to make sure everything works fine before we spend the time putting it together.

If I get a POST into Bios does that mean as far as everything working I'm good to go?

Obviously I know things can change under load and stress but I feel like I can evaluate something like that if it pops up.

Thanks

 

[USAFRet]

Sure.
Not having an OS and it just goes into the BIOS is a good starting point for functionality.

Or, you could boot into a Linux LiveUSB.
That IS an OS, does not need to be "installed" and will mostly verify hardware functionality.

 

[Math Geek]

no problem turning it on to see if it posts. no problem at all. you can even try a live dvd of a linux variety and make sure it all works with an OS

 

[SkyNetRising]

My question is it ok and reliable to just put everything together and see if it will POST before I but Windows and an SSD?

Your pc will still need storage device to operate.
If you have a storage device, then you can also test installing windows on it.

 

[Karadjgne]

BIOS is Basic Input/Output System. It's all any pc need to actually function. OS is Operating System, than can be anything from DOS to Windows, IoS, Linux etc. An operating system is software used by you to enable operation of the pc, BIOS is firmware used by the pc to enable operation of the pc.

There's nothing saying a pc must have an OS, the only thing an OS does is enable usefulness after the pc is functioning. So test away to your hearts content, you'll not hurt anything, the equipment will either work through POST (Power On Self Test) or not.

 

[hotaru.hino]

Using BIOS/UEFI to test hardware is only good for a sanity test. That is, making sure the computer can see all of the hardware you installed and for some pieces, basic functionality is there. It's also good to make sure the CPU cooler was installed properly since most have temperature monitoring. Anything beyond that requires an OS to exercise said hardware.

 

[Grobe]

Or, you could boot into a Linux LiveUSB.
That IS an OS, does not need to be "installed" and will mostly verify hardware functionality.

True.

Also to be mentioned, MX Linux includes a benchmark tool for CPU. It also have a built-in tool for getting S.M.A.R.T data from any available hard drives.

Then there are the RAM of any computer. The often recommended software to test RAM, Memtest86 are often included in boot menu of many Linux distros and I think MX Linux also have that as an option.

 

[geofelt]

I will routinely test before loading windows.
I run 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 and basic functioning should be ok.
Do this all on a desk. Start the motherboard by shorting the two PWR pins.
You can update bios if you need to.

I will go all the way to loading windows on the open desk before transferring to the case.
Any issues or hardware failures are easier to take care of on an open test bed.

 

[CameronCant]

Thank you everyone!

 

[CameronCant]

I will routinely test before loading windows.
I run 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 and basic functioning should be ok.
Do this all on a desk. Start the motherboard by shorting the two PWR pins.
You can update bios if you need to.

I will go all the way to loading windows on the open desk before transferring to the case.
Any issues or hardware failures are easier to take care of on an open test bed.

Awesome Thanks Again!