What programs can I use to test my computer's hardware?

Question

Possible Duplicate:
What is the best computer “burn-in” or stability testing software?
How can I thoroughly test all the hardware on my computer?

I been having computer troubles lately and I want to run some tests to check if my hardware is working as it should.

I am wondering if anyone knows some tools (hopefully free) that can aid me in this.

Hard drive Tests

• SeaTools

  SeaTools is a comprehensive, easy-to-use diagnostic tool that helps you quickly determine the condition of the disk drive in your external hard drive, desktop or laptop computer. It includes several tests that will examine the physical media on your Seagate or Maxtor disk drive and any other non-Seagate disk drive.

  If you have a hard drive that there are no manufacturer-specific diagnostics for, then SeaTools is often the best choice.

• Western Digital Data Lifeguard Diagnostics

  Data LifeGuard Diagnostics is designed to test the physical condition of your hard drive.

  The bootable "DOS" version is host OS-independent, and (IME) tends to be more accurate than the Windows version.

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Memory Tests

• MemTest86+

  Based on the well-known original memtest86 written by Chris Brady, memtest86+ is a port by some members of the x86-secret team. Our goal is to provide an up-to-date and completly reliable version of this software tool aimed at memory failures detection.

  Memtest86+ is, like the original, released under the terms of the Gnu Public License (GPL). No restrictions for use, private or commercial exist other than the ones mentioned in the Gnu Public License (GPL).

• Windows 7 - Memory Diagnostics Tool

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Graphic Card Tests

• Futuremark's 3D Mark/PC Mark

  From Wikipedia:

  3DMark is a computer benchmarking tool created and developed by Futuremark Corporation (formerly MadOnion.com and initially Futuremark) to determine the performance of a computer's 3D graphic rendering and CPU workload processing capabilities.

  PCMark is a computer benchmark tool developed by Futuremark to test the performance of a PC at the system and component level.

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CPU Tests

• Prime95

  From Wikipedia:

  Prime95 is the name of the Microsoft Windows-based software application written by George Woltman that is used by GIMPS, a distributed computing project dedicated to finding new Mersenne prime numbers.

  Over the years, Prime95 has become extremely popular among PC enthusiasts and overclockers as a stability testing utility. It includes a "Torture Test" mode designed specifically for testing PC subsystems for errors in order to help ensure the correct operation of Prime95 on that system. This is important because each iteration of the Lucas-Lehmer depends on the previous one; if one iteration is incorrect, so will be the entire primality test.

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Motherboard Tests

None yet.

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Multi-Component Testers

• Ultra-X's QuickTech Pro

  QuickTech Professional, Ultra-X's professional-level PC diagnostic software program, is designed to meet the rigorous testing needs of system developers and integrators, OEM's, technicians, MIS professionals, and end users who want to quickly and accurately test, troubleshoot and Burn-In system components, functions and peripherals.

  This package can test mainbaord components, RAM, HDDs, optical and floppy drives, COM and LPT ports, etc. They offer lesser software packages, and hardware-based testing devices as well

• StressLinux

  Stresslinux is a minimal Linux distribution intended for people who want to test their hardware under high load and monitor stability and thermal environment.

Comments

[Joergi]

If I could find the community wiki I would have(thought it was gotten rid off) and I seen many times people done this......

[MaQleod]

Ultimate Boot CD is the way to go. It has tons of tests for various types of hardware all built into single bootable CD with a handy, easy to navigate menu. It is even customizable, so you can add anything you feel is missing.

[slhck]

I have been thinking – before someone closes this as a duplicate (e.g. of this one), we could try to make this a really awesome community wiki canonical Q/A and then close all other posts as duplicates of this?

[Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007]

@slhck - Why not update and improve one of the pre-existing one(s)?

[slhck]

@techie007 Couldn't find that many doing a quick search, maybe you can find some? You're always good with the duplicates :)

[Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007]

@slhck I mainly was thinking of the one you pointed out. :) But hey, I'm all for closing that one/those as dupes of this, so I threw a few edits in. :)

[FALL3N]

can u specify the computer type?

[Moab]

why is this a duplicate rather than being closed as off topic....

[slhck]

It would be great if somebody added a little explanation on what these tools do.

[Nic]

Fantastic post.