How do I Check a Computer With Diagnostic Software?

Diagnostic software can help eliminate frustrating computer problems.

Checking a computer with diagnostic software is a common means of maintaining a healthy computer and troubleshooting technical issues. Examples of diagnostic software include the Disk Defragmenter and Event Viewer native to any modern Windows computer. These programs perform routine maintenance functions and alert you if there are major issues.



Many of the programs available online are designed to speed up the computer or diagnose hardware problems. Using software native to your operating system in concert with software available online is an effective strategy for computer maintenance.

Instructions

1. Write a list of hardware or system processes that you would like to diagnose. Start your list with the hard disk and the memory (RAM) because many performance issues and hardware problems originate there. Write a list of symptoms when using diagnostic programs to troubleshoot.

2. Run the diagnostic software available through your operating system. Restart the computer if prompted. Native diagnostic software provides crucial system information and performs basic functions.

3. Research programs that diagnose the items or troubleshoot the problems that you listed. Websites like CNET and Gizmo's Freeware provide detailed and user-generated reviews of specific programs (see Resources). Read reviews carefully to identify diagnostic software of the highest quality before downloading.

4. Download the selected software. Choose programs that perform unique functions or include a full package of diagnostic tools. Specify where you want to save the file so that you can locate it.

5. Read the individualized instructions of any program that you download. Many software downloads will include a Read Me file (usually called readme.txt) or tutorials within the program. Understand the basic functions and risks before checking the computer with diagnostic software.

6. Install (if necessary) and run the downloaded diagnostic software. Some diagnostic software may require you to reboot the computer or to boot from a flash drive or CD, while others run like regular programs.

7. Verify that your computer is stable by running the same basic functions that you normally run. If everything works about the same, the software probably did its job.

Tips & Warnings

• Check your computer with diagnostic software on a regular basis to maintain a healthy system.

• Download software from trusted websites. Many anti-virus programs check websites and will notify you of untrustworthy sites.

• Avoid programs that promise to speed up your computer or perform magic functions. Many of these programs are illegitimate.

• Diagnostic software might alter crucial system information in destructive ways; set a system restore point if possible.

• Avoid programs that clean the registry. If you do clean the registry using a program, make sure you save a backup registry.

References

• PCTechBytes: Computer Diagnostic Utilities
• Windows: Diagnostic Tools to Use in Safe Mode

Resources

• CNET Download: Diagnostic Software
• CNET Download: Diagnostic Software for Mac
• Gizmo's Freeware: The Best Free Cleanup & Tuning Software