How To

How to Choose a Computer Diagnostic Utility

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(13 Ratings)

Use a utility program to maintain your computer's performance and fix system problems. Although Windows now includes sophisticated diagnostic utilities, and the Mac has that old standard Disk First Aid, third-party programs solve some problems that these utilities can't.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Computer Magazines
  • Diagnostic Utility Program
  1. Step 1

    Buy one of the leading utility programs, such as Symantec's Norton Utilities, TouchStone Software's CheckIt Diagnostic Suite, or Network Associates' First Aid or Nuts & Bolts.

  2. Step 2

    Check reviews and ratings on the Internet or in computer magazines to narrow your buying decision.

  3. Step 3

    Look for a program that provides hardware, system and software diagnostics, and tuning up and optimizing your system.

  4. Step 4

    Get a program that displays the results of its actions in understandable language, if possible.

  5. Step 5

    Look for specific features you would use, if buying a suite, such as an uninstaller program, restoration of accidentally deleted files, or file management utilities.

Tips & Warnings
  • Utility suites often include, or are bundled with, anti-virus programs.
  • Do not install Norton Crash Guard, included in Norton Utilities. Experts advise it causes more crashes than it prevents on both Windows and Macintosh platforms.

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