Laptop monitoring program. Diagnostics of the computer for malfunctions. Breakdowns, typical computer malfunctions

The fact that errors constantly occur in Windows operating systems, regardless of their version, will not surprise anyone. In almost 99% of cases out of 100, they are associated with information stored on the hard drive. However, not every error is capable of correcting specific failures. Next we will focus on the most important aspects troubleshooting errors, malfunctions and failures in the system.

Why is a program needed to check your computer for errors?

As for the reasons for the occurrence of failures, they can be listed for hours. This includes incorrect shutdown of applications or the entire system as a whole, mismatch of device drivers with the operating system, sudden power outage, physical damage hard drive, errors in system files or their absence, virus infection, incomplete or incorrect removal of software components, etc.

As you can see, there can be quite a lot of reasons, and not every program for checking a computer for errors is designed to provide a comprehensive solution to the problem. No, of course, you can use so-called optimizers, but, as practice shows, it is better to use highly targeted applications. By the way, you shouldn’t disdain Windows’ own tools; sometimes they help even better than third-party utilities.

System update

As you know, any version of Windows OS contains bugs and shortcomings. Sometimes this can lead to system crashes or security vulnerabilities. That's why Microsoft patches up holes with enviable regularity, releasing new updates.

By default, in any Windows OS that supports this function, the search and installation of updates is performed automatically (with a constant Internet connection). As a last resort, you can use manual search and installation in the Update Center if the automatic mode is disabled or the connection is made only at a certain time.

Drivers

Very often, errors can arise due to hardware conflicts, or rather, inconsistencies between their drivers and the system itself. Therefore, before you use any computer error correction (removal) program, you need to go to the “Device Manager” and view the conflicting devices.

As a rule, if there are any in the system, they are marked with a yellow icon with a question mark. In such a situation, you can try to install either devices from the system’s own database, which does not always work, but it is better to use a “native” disk with drivers or special applications for automatically searching or updating drivers that access directly the official resource of the equipment manufacturer. You can also add that if the system is enabled, some drivers are also updated.

Antiviruses for Windows

Viruses are a fairly serious threat to both the operating system and hardware components. The most simple example You can call the situation with a virus developed back in the mid-90s, when, when exposed to the system, it focused the entire brightness of the screen at one point, after which, naturally, the monitor failed.

Please note that not every regular antivirus can detect a potential threat on the fly, even with updated signature databases, because viruses grow by leaps and bounds. Here it is recommended to use portable utilities like Dr. Web CureIt! Or Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool. In this case, it is desirable that the main anti-virus software and the portable application differ in manufacturer.

Checking hard drive RAM using Windows' own tools

Now let's talk about the most common situations where errors occur. These are malfunctions of the hard drive, because all information is stored on it. Let’s say right away that sometimes problems can arise with RAM sticks, but this is more likely a physical rather than a software discrepancy. And today there is no software way to resolve such conflicts. So if someone tells you that there are utilities that eliminate such errors, this is absolute nonsense. A program for analyzing errors on a computer (for RAM) - yes. But certainly not to eliminate them. A striking example- Memtest86+ utility.

But let's get back to the errors on the hard drive. As a rule, they occur in the system partition, which affects the performance of the operating system. Logical partitions can also contain them, but in this case only the applications installed there are susceptible to failures, although, as a result, their incorrect operation or constant crashes can affect the system as a whole.

To begin with, you should use the standard scan tool, called from the disk or partition properties menu. In this case, it is advisable to enable the option to automatically correct system errors. But sometimes this approach may not give the desired result.

In this case it is better to use command line, which introduces the abbreviation chkdsk with the drive letter. This command is unique in that you can add additional parameters to it in the form of a right slash (slash) and the parameter letter. For example, combining chkdsk with: /f is similar to checking with automatic correction crashes, but works much more correctly. And there are a lot of such teams in completely different variations.

Utilities for analyzing and fixing HDD errors

If the user is not strong in the system part, let's see what can be done if you still need to immediately check the hard drive for errors. How to check? Yes, it’s very simple - use any available third-party utility.

Among them are Norton Disc Doctor, CheckDisk, HDD Scan and many others. For the most part, these are fully automated utilities that allow you to check and correct errors on your hard drive in one click.

But for experienced users there is a more powerful tool - the Victoria program. Of course, it is quite complex, but it is the most powerful of all known utilities, which has no equal in the whole world. Moreover, it works in both Windows and DOS mode. By the way, it is in the second case that it shows the best results.

Windows 7: checking system files for errors

Checking system files is quite problematic. There is no point in doing this manually, especially since not a single user can really say how many and what kind of files should be in the system. In addition, they may be present, but their structure will be damaged. What to do in this case? It's simple. A program to check your computer for errors in the system part is suitable.

The simplest utility can be called a small free program BUG DOCTOR. It is capable of automatic analysis and correction of minor errors. Alas, she does not know how to restore system files or find replacements for them.

Since most system files are made in the form of dynamic libraries with the .dll extension, a utility called DLL Suite is perfect for a complete analysis, search and automatic loading of damaged or missing components. It is very often used even in cases where the performance of Windows of any version and not just “seven” falls below the critical limit.

Applications for working with the system registry

The system registry plays one of the most important roles. Incorrect or incorrect keys can both slow down the system and cause collateral failures. Again, manual editing is a thankless task even if you have special knowledge.

This is where utilities like Registry Optimizer, Vit Registry Fix Professional, etc. come in handy. Along the way, it is worth recommending the iObit Uninstaller utility, which is indirectly related to this issue. It is designed to remove unnecessary applications and has a mode forced cleaning system from residual files and registry entries. As is already clear, this is not a program for checking your computer for errors, but rather a means of preventing their occurrence in the future due to incorrect uninstallation of applications and their components.

Comprehensive utilities

As for complex utilities, they contain almost all of the above modules and check the system in automatic mode. But they are mainly suitable only for inexperienced users.

Today you can count a lot of them. The most outstanding are Advanced System Care, Ashampoo WinOptimizer, CCleaner, AVG PC TuneUp, Glary Utilities, Error Repair Pro, System Mechanic, Rising PC Doctor and many others. Any such program for checking your computer for errors can not only correct them, but also optimize them Windows operation, for example, by disabling unnecessary background services.

But, as mentioned above, you shouldn’t expect too much from them, but still use narrowly targeted utilities, which largely determines final result.

Many modern users do not know that at one moment, absolutely suddenly, their computer can turn off forever, and this can happen to absolutely any PC. It is worth noting the fact that quite often there are various problems, related to the fact that even absolutely new computer stops functioning normally.

The worst thing is when such problems arise completely unexpectedly for the user. In such situations, it is important to first correctly identify the problem, because quite often you can solve everything on your own, without the need for physical repairs. It is in this case that it is extremely important that the user knows how to diagnose the computer. For ordinary person this problem can be solved using specialized utilities, which are selected depending on the type of diagnostics you need.

In this article, we will try to consider several utilities so that the user can independently determine which computer diagnostic program is suitable for him. It should be said right away that, if necessary, you can select several programs.

Why is diagnostics needed?

Nowadays, not all users correctly understand that in fact it is not in any case necessary to contact qualified specialists who will physically repair the drive. In most situations, problems can be solved independently using programs that are freely available. However, unauthorized actions in some cases can only bring harm, and therefore, in order to understand whether it is possible to start “treating” the computer yourself, initially in mandatory The computer must be diagnosed for malfunctions.

As you know, if a computer is operated in unfavorable conditions or in a dusty room, then over time it begins to work slower and slower, as the condition of certain elements in its design deteriorates. Thus, among the most common causes of malfunction of modern computers are the following:

• Dust on all kinds of connectors or microcircuits and, as a result, their overheating.
• Excessive oxidation of contacts.
• Overheating of components due to strong cooling.
• Burnout of contacts or components due to too strong a power surge.
• Unstable operation of the installed power supply.
• Incorrect grounding.

Why are programs needed and what do they do?

A very useful thing is a program for diagnosing a computer, obtaining complete information about its condition and the characteristics of all installed equipment. Carrying out PC diagnostics, as well as identifying emerging faults, is extremely important element operation of any PC, because this determines how effectively and timely the user will be able to respond to various problems that arise during the operation of his hardware.

Let's consider situations when a computer diagnostic program can be useful.

Upgrade/sale

If you need to upgrade your own personal computer in the near future, carry it out major renovation, update certain components, or, conversely, sell the device, you will need to know everything about your computer and make sure that it does not have any faults.

Functionality check

Computer diagnostics allows you to determine everything possible problems, system malfunctions, and more importantly, the cause of the problem. Definition everything possible reasons In most cases, troubleshooting is quite complex; the only way out in such a situation may be the use of diagnostic utilities.

If you initially make sure that the computer diagnostic program is separately recorded on a special disk, then even if your operating system is rolled back, you will be able to independently determine which specific component malfunctions led to such malfunctions.

It is worth noting that quite often the program that will be used to diagnose the computer will not only be able to inform the user about what components are used in his PC and what condition they are in, but also check individual elements for the presence of possible causes of future malfunctions. Among other things, some utilities not only diagnose the computer, but also give certain advice on working with it.

In this regard, in order not to suffer from the fact that the “iron friend” suddenly began to work too slowly, suddenly turn off, function unstably, or exhibit any other vagaries, timely diagnostics and repair of computers must be carried out.

Comparison

Certain utilities initially contain the characteristics of reference systems, so the user, if necessary, can compare whether the results of testing the performance of his personal computer match the ideal results. After the on-board computer or PC is diagnosed, the user independently decides whether it is necessary to further upgrade certain components, buy any new equipment, update software, or perform other actions.

Helpful information

Many people who do not know how to diagnose a computer miss a large number of necessary and useful information, useful for its efficient operation. In particular, quite often diagnostic utilities notify the PC owner that, for example, certain drivers installed on his computer are outdated, since the developer has released a more modern version.

In this regard, it is best to carefully study the functionality of the programs you download, since the utility you choose will directly determine how effective and useful diagnostics of your computer for malfunctions will be.

Diagnostic programs

Below we provide a list of necessary utilities, each of which has its own functionality and purpose:

What to use?

As mentioned above, if necessary, you can use more than one program. Diagnosing a computer for malfunctions is an extensive procedure; it is not enough to carry out only a specific action, because the computer consists of a number of components.

As you can notice, different programs They have completely different and not similar functionality. It should be said that in most cases it is better to install several utilities that specialize in monitoring the operation of a specific element of your computer than to simply install some universal software that will simultaneously monitor everything. Not only the reliability and effectiveness of diagnostics depends on this, but also your awareness.

It is for this reason that in the vast majority of cases, qualified specialists use several programs simultaneously, one of which monitors the video card, the second monitors the processor, etc. Particular attention should be paid to choosing a program that will monitor the activity of your hard drive.

Why a hard drive?

Few people know that the hard drive is the most complex and fragile component of a personal computer. Despite the fact that various components such as a processor or video card look like an ordinary thin board, and the hard drive outwardly appears as a large and externally protected unit, in fact it is a fragile element, inside of which there are miniature magnetic heads. At the same time, the drive is susceptible to both software and physical malfunctions. And even if the computer vibrates during operation, the hard drive may be completely broken.

Many PC owners encounter various errors and malfunctions in their computer, but cannot determine the cause of the problem. In this article, we will look at the main methods for diagnosing a computer, allowing you to independently identify and fix various problems.

Keep in mind that high-quality diagnostics of a computer can take the whole day; set aside a day in the morning specifically for this, and do not start everything in the late afternoon.

I warn you that I will write in detail as for beginners who have never disassembled a computer, in order to warn about all possible nuances that can lead to problems.

1. Disassembling and cleaning the computer

When disassembling and cleaning your computer, do not rush, do everything carefully so as not to damage anything. Place components in a pre-prepared safe place.

It is not advisable to start diagnostics before cleaning, since you will not be able to identify the cause of the malfunction if it is caused by clogged contacts or the cooling system. Additionally, diagnostics may fail to complete due to repeated failures.

Disable system unit from the outlet at least 15 minutes before cleaning, so that the capacitors have time to discharge.

Perform disassembly in the following sequence:

1. Disconnect all wires from the system unit.
2. Remove both side covers.
3. Disconnect the power connectors from the video card and remove it.
4. Remove all memory sticks.
5. Disconnect and remove cables from all drives.
6. Unscrew and remove all discs.
7. Disconnect all power supply cables.
8. Unscrew and remove the power supply.

There is no need to remove the motherboard, processor cooler, or case fans; you can also leave the DVD drive if it works normally.

Carefully blow off the system unit and all components separately with a powerful stream of air from a vacuum cleaner without a dust bag.

Carefully remove the cover from the power supply and blow it out without touching the electrical parts and the board with your hands or metal parts, as there may be voltage in the capacitors!

If your vacuum cleaner does not work on blowing, but only on blowing, then it will be a little more difficult. Clean it well so that it pulls as hard as possible. When cleaning, it is recommended to use a soft bristled brush.

You can also use a soft brush to remove stubborn dust.

Thoroughly clean the processor cooler heatsink, having first examined where and how much it is clogged with dust, as this is one of the common causes of processor overheating and PC crashes.

Also make sure that the cooler mount is not broken, the clamp is not opened and the radiator is securely pressed to the processor.

Be careful when cleaning fans, do not let them spin too much and do not bring the vacuum cleaner attachment close if it does not have a brush, so as not to knock off the blade.

After cleaning, do not rush to put everything back together, but move on to the next steps.

2. Checking the motherboard battery

The first thing after cleaning, so as not to forget later, I check the battery charge on the motherboard, and at the same time reset the BIOS. In order to pull it out, you need to press the latch with a flat screwdriver in the direction indicated in the photo and it will pop out on its own.

After this, you need to measure its voltage with a multimeter, optimally if it is within 2.5-3 V. The initial battery voltage is 3 V.

If the battery voltage is below 2.5 V, then it is advisable to change it. The voltage of 2 V is critically low and the PC is already starting to fail, which manifests itself in resetting the BIOS settings and stopping at the beginning of the PC boot with a prompt to press F1 or some other key to continue booting.

If you don’t have a multimeter, you can take the battery with you to the store and ask them to check it there, or just buy a replacement battery in advance, it’s standard and very inexpensive.

A clear sign of a dead battery is the date and time on the computer constantly disappearing.

The battery needs to be changed in a timely manner, but if you don’t have a replacement on hand right now, then simply do not disconnect the system unit from the power supply until you change the battery. In this case, the settings should not be lost, but problems may still arise, so do not delay.

Checking the battery good time to completely reset the BIOS. In this case, not only are they reset BIOS settings, which can be done through the Setup menu, but also the so-called volatile CMOS memory, which stores the parameters of all devices (processor, memory, video card, etc.).

Errors inCMOSoften cause the following problems:

• computer won't turn on
• turns on every other time
• turns on and nothing happens
• turns on and off by itself

I remind you that before resetting the BIOS, the system unit must be unplugged from the outlet, otherwise the CMOS will be powered by the power supply and nothing will work.

To reset the BIOS, use a screwdriver or other metal object to close the contacts in the battery connector for 10 seconds; this is usually enough to discharge the capacitors and completely clear the CMOS.

A sign that a reset has occurred will be an erroneous date and time, which will need to be set in the BIOS the next time you boot the computer.

4. Visual inspection of components

Carefully inspect all capacitors on the motherboard for swelling or leaks, especially in the processor socket area.

Sometimes capacitors swell down instead of up, causing them to tilt as if they were just slightly bent or unevenly soldered.

If any capacitors are swollen, then you need to send the motherboard for repair as soon as possible and ask to resolder all the capacitors, including those located next to the swollen ones.

Also inspect the capacitors and other elements of the power supply; there should be no swelling, drips, or signs of burning.

Inspect the disc contacts for oxidation.

They can be cleaned with an eraser and after that be sure to replace the cable or power adapter that was used to connect this disk, since it is already damaged and most likely caused oxidation.

In general, check all the cables and connectors so that they are clean, have shiny contacts, and are tightly connected to the drives and motherboard. All cables that do not meet these requirements must be replaced.

Check that the wires from the front panel of the case to the motherboard are connected correctly.

It is important that the polarity be observed (plus to plus, minus to minus), since there is a common ground on the front panel and failure to observe the polarity will lead to a short circuit, which is why the computer may behave inappropriately (turn on every other time, turn off itself or reboot) .

Where the plus and minus in the front panel contacts is indicated on the board itself, in the paper manual for it and in the electronic version of the manual on the manufacturer’s website. The contacts of the wires from the front panel also indicate where the plus and minus are. Typically the white wire is the negative wire, and the positive connector may be indicated by a triangle on the plastic connector.

Many even experienced assemblers make a mistake here, so check.

5. Checking the power supply

If the computer did not turn on at all before cleaning, then do not rush to assemble it; first of all, you need to check the power supply. However, in any case, it won’t hurt to check the power supply; maybe it’s because of it that the computer is crashing.

Check the power supply fully assembled to avoid electric shock, short circuit, or accidental fan failure.

To check the power supply, close the only green wire in the motherboard connector with any black. This will signal to the power supply that it is connected to the motherboard, otherwise it will not turn on.

Then plug the power supply into the surge protector and press the button on it. Don't forget that the power supply itself may also have an on/off button.

A spinning fan should be a sign that the power supply is turned on. If the fan does not spin, it may be faulty and needs to be replaced.

In some silent power supplies, the fan may not start spinning immediately, but only under load; this is normal and can be checked while operating the PC.

Use a multimeter to measure the voltage between the contacts in the connectors for peripheral devices.

They should be approximately in the following range.

• 12 V (yellow-black) – 11.7-12.5 V
• 5 V (red-black) – 4.7-5.3 V
• 3.3 V (orange-black) – 3.1-3.5 V

If any voltage is missing or greatly exceeds the specified limits, then the power supply is faulty. It is best to replace it with a new one, but if the computer itself is inexpensive, then repairs are allowed; power supplies can be done easily and inexpensively.

The startup of the power supply and normal voltages is a good sign, but in itself does not mean that the power supply is good, since failures can occur due to voltage drops or ripples under load. But this is already determined at subsequent stages of testing.

6. Checking power contacts

Be sure to check all electrical contacts from the outlet to the system unit. The socket must be modern (suitable for a European plug), reliable and not loose, with clean elastic contacts. The same requirements apply to the surge protector and the cable from the computer's power supply.

Contact must be reliable, plugs and connectors must not dangle, spark, or be oxidized. Please note this close attention, since poor contact is often the cause of failure of the system unit, monitor and other peripheral devices.

If you suspect the quality of the socket, surge protector, power cable of the system unit or monitor, then change them as quickly as possible to avoid computer failure. Do not delay or save on this, as repairing a PC or monitor will cost much more.

Also, poor contact is often the cause of PC malfunctions, which are accompanied by a sudden shutdown or reboot with subsequent failures on the hard drive and, as a result, disruption of the operating system.

Failures can also occur due to voltage drops or ripples in the 220 V network, especially in the private sector and remote areas of the city. In this case, failures may occur even when the computer is idle. Try measuring the voltage in the outlet immediately after the computer spontaneously turns off or restarts and watch the readings for a while. This way you can identify long-term drawdowns, from which a linear-interactive UPS with a stabilizer will save you.

7. Assembling and turning on the computer

After cleaning and inspecting the PC, carefully reassemble it and carefully check that you have connected everything you need. If the computer refused to turn on before cleaning or turned on only once, then it is advisable to connect the components one by one. If there were no such problems, then skip the next section.

7.1. Step-by-step PC assembly

First, connect the motherboard power connector and the processor power connector to the motherboard with the processor. Do not insert RAM, video card or connect disks.

Turn on the power to the PC and if everything is fine with the motherboard, the processor cooler fan should spin up. Also, if a beeper is connected to the motherboard, a beep code usually sounds indicating a lack of RAM.

Memory installation

Turn off the computer with a short or (if that doesn’t work) long press of the power button on the system unit and insert one stick of RAM into the colored slot closest to the processor. If all the slots are the same color, then just go to the one closest to the processor.

Make sure that the memory stick is inserted evenly until it stops and that the latches snap into place, otherwise it may be damaged when you turn on the PC.

If the computer starts up with one stick of memory and there is a beeping sound, then a code usually sounds indicating that there is no video card (if there is no integrated graphics). If the beep code indicates problems with the RAM, then try inserting another stick in the same place. If the problem continues or there is no other bracket, then move the bracket to another nearby slot. If there are no sounds, then everything is probably fine, continue further.

Turn off the computer and insert the second memory stick into the slot of the same color. If the motherboard has 4 slots of the same color, then follow the instructions for the motherboard so that the memory is in the slots recommended for dual-channel mode. Then turn it on again and check whether the PC turns on and what sound signals it makes.

If you have 3 or 4 memory sticks, then simply insert them one by one, turning the PC off and on each time. If the computer does not start with a certain stick or produces a memory error code, then this stick is faulty. You can also check the motherboard slots by moving the working strip into different slots.

Some motherboards have a red indicator that lights up in case of memory problems, and sometimes a segment indicator with an error code, the explanation of which is in the motherboard manual.

If the computer starts, then further memory testing occurs at another stage.

Installing a video card

It's time to test the video card by inserting it into the top PCI-E x16 slot (or AGP for older PCs). Don't forget to connect additional power to the video card with the appropriate connectors.

With a video card, the computer should start normally, without sound signals, or with a single sound signal, indicating normal completion of the self-test.

If the PC does not turn on or emits a video card error code, it means it is faulty. high probability faulty. But don't rush to conclusions, sometimes you just need to connect a monitor and keyboard.

Connecting a monitor

Turn off the PC and connect the monitor to the video card (or motherboard if there is no video card). Make sure that the connector to the video card and monitor is connected tightly; sometimes tight connectors do not go in all the way, which is the reason for the absence of an image on the screen.

Turn on the monitor and make sure that the correct signal source is selected on it (the connector to which the PC is connected, if there are several of them).

Turn on the computer and a graphical splash screen and text messages from the motherboard should appear on the screen. Usually this is a prompt to enter the BIOS using the F1 key, a message about the absence of a keyboard or boot devices, this is normal.

If the computer silently turns on, but there is nothing on the screen, there is most likely something wrong with the video card or monitor. The video card can only be checked by moving it to a working computer. The monitor can be connected to another work PC or device (laptop, player, tuner, etc.). Don't forget to select the desired signal source in the monitor settings.

Connecting a keyboard and mouse

If everything is fine with the video card and monitor, then move on. Connect the keyboard first, then the mouse, one at a time, turning the PC off and on each time. If the computer freezes after connecting a keyboard or mouse, it means they need to be replaced - it happens!

Connecting drives

If the computer starts with a keyboard and mouse, then we begin to connect the hard drives one by one. First, connect the second drive without the operating system (if you have one).

Do not forget that in addition to connecting the interface cable to the motherboard, you also need to connect the connector from the power supply to the drive.

Then turn on the computer and if it comes to BIOS messages, then everything is fine. If the PC does not turn on, freezes or turns itself off, then the controller of this disk is faulty and needs to be replaced or repaired to save the data.

Turn off the computer and connect the DVD drive (if any) with an interface cable and power supply. If problems arise after this, then the drive has a power failure and needs to be replaced; repairing it usually makes no sense.

At the end, we connect the main system drive and prepare to enter the BIOS for the initial setup before starting the operating system. We turn on the computer and if everything is fine, move on to the next step.

When you turn on your computer for the first time, go to the BIOS. Usually, the Delete key is used for this, less often others (F1, F2, F10 or Esc), which is indicated in the prompts at the beginning of the boot.

On the first tab, set the date and time, and on the “Boot” tab, select your hard drive with the operating system as the first boot device.

On older motherboards with a classic BIOS it may look like this.

On more modern ones with a UEFI graphical shell it is a little different, but the meaning is the same.

To exit the BIOS and save the settings, press F10. Don't be distracted and watch the operating system load completely to notice possible problems.

After the PC has finished booting, check whether the fans of the processor cooler, power supply and video card are working, otherwise there is no point in further testing.

Some modern video cards may not turn on the fans until certain temperature video chip.

If any of the case fans does not work, then it’s not a big deal, just plan to replace it in the near future, don’t be distracted by it now.

8. Error analysis

This is where diagnostics essentially begin, and everything described above was just preparation, after which many problems could go away and without it there was no point in starting testing.

8.1. Enabling Memory Dumps

If blue screens of death (BSOD) appear while your computer is running, this can make troubleshooting much easier. A prerequisite for this is the presence of memory dumps (or at least self-written error codes).

To check or enable the dump recording function, press the “Win ​​+ R” key combination on your keyboard, enter “sysdm.cpl” in the line that appears and press OK or Enter.

In the window that appears, go to the “Advanced” tab and in the “Boot and Recovery” section, click the “Options” button.

The “Record debugging information” field should be “Small memory dump”.

If so, then you should already have dumps of previous errors in the "C:\Windows\Minidump" folder.

If this option was not enabled, then dumps were not saved, enable it at least now to be able to analyze errors if they recur.

Memory dumps may not be created in time during serious failures that involve rebooting or shutting down the PC. Also, some system cleaning utilities and antivirus programs can remove them; you must disable the system cleaning function during diagnostics.

If there are dumps in the specified folder, then we proceed to their analysis.

8.2. Memory dump analysis

To analyze memory dumps in order to identify what leads to failures, there is a wonderful utility “BlueScreenView”, which you can download along with other diagnostic utilities in the “” section.

This utility shows files in which a failure occurred. These files belong to the operating system, device drivers, or some program. Accordingly, based on the file’s ownership, you can determine which device or software caused the failure.

If you cannot boot your computer in normal mode, then try booting into safe mode by holding down the “F8” key immediately after the motherboard screen saver or BIOS text messages disappear.

Go through the dumps and see which files appear most often as the culprits of the failure, they are highlighted in red. Right-click on one of these files and view its Properties.

In our case, it is easy to determine that the file belongs to the nVidia video card driver and most of the errors were caused by it.

In addition, some dumps contained the “dxgkrnl.sys” file, even from the name of which it is clear that it refers to DirectX, which is directly related to 3D graphics. This means that it is most likely that the video card is to blame for the failure, which should be subjected to thorough testing, which we will also consider.

In the same way, you can determine that the fault is caused by a sound card, network card, hard drive, or some program that penetrates deeply into the system, such as an antivirus. For example, if a disk fails, the controller driver will crash.

If you cannot determine which driver or program a particular file belongs to, then look for this information on the Internet by the file name.

If failures occur in the driver sound card, then most likely it has failed. If it is integrated, then you can disable it through the BIOS and install another discrete one. The same can be said about the network card. However, network failures can be caused, which is often resolved by updating the driver network card and connecting to the Internet via a router.

In any case, do not make hasty conclusions until the diagnostics are completely completed; maybe your Windows is simply faulty or a virus has entered, which can be solved by reinstalling the system.

Also in the BlueScreenView utility you can see the error codes and inscriptions that were on the blue screen. To do this, go to the “Options” menu and select the “Blue Screen in XP Style” view or press the “F8” key.

After that, switching between errors, you will see how they looked on the blue screen.

By the error code you can also find the possible cause of the problem on the Internet, but by the ownership of the files this is easier and more reliable. To return to the previous view, you can use the “F6” key.

If the errors always include different files and different error codes, then this is a sign of possible problems with the RAM, in which everything crashes. We will diagnose it first.

9. Testing RAM

Even if you think that the problem is not in the RAM, still check it first. Sometimes a place has several problems, and if the RAM fails, then diagnosing everything else is quite difficult due to frequent PC failures.

Conducting a memory test from a boot disk is a must, as it is difficult to get accurate results in the Windows operating system on a faulty PC.

In addition, “Hiren’s BootCD” contains several alternative memory tests in case “Memtest 86+” does not start and many more useful utilities for testing hard drives, video memory, etc.

You can download the “Hiren’s BootCD” image in the same place as everything else – in the “” section. If you don’t know how to properly burn such an image to a CD or DVD, refer to the article where we looked at it, here everything is done exactly the same.

Set the BIOS to boot from the DVD drive or use the Boot Menu as described in, boot from Hiren's BootCD and run Memtest 86+.

Testing can last from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the speed and amount of RAM. One full pass must be completed and the test will go around the second round. If everything is fine with the memory, then after the first pass (Pass 1) there should be no errors (Errors 0).

After this, testing can be interrupted using the “Esc” key and the computer will reboot.

If there were errors, you will have to test each strip separately, removing all the others to determine which one is broken.

If the broken bar is still under warranty, then take a photo from the screen using a camera or smartphone and present it to the warranty department of the store or service center(although in most cases this is not necessary).

In any case, it is not advisable to use a PC with broken memory and carry out further diagnostics before replacing it, since various incomprehensible errors will appear.

10. Preparation for component tests

Everything else, except RAM, is tested under Windows. Therefore, in order to exclude the influence of the operating system on the test results, it is advisable to do, if necessary, temporarily and the most.

If this is difficult for you or you don’t have time, then you can try testing on an old system. But, if failures occur due to problems in the operating system, some driver, program, virus, antivirus (i.e. in the software part), then testing the hardware will not help determine this and you may go down the wrong path. And on clean system you will have the opportunity to see how the computer behaves and completely eliminate the influence of the software component.

Personally, I always do everything as expected from start to finish as described in this article. Yes, it takes a whole day, but if you ignore my advice, you can struggle for weeks without identifying the cause of the problem.

The fastest and easiest way is to test the processor, unless of course there are obvious signs that the problem is in the video card, which we will discuss below.

If your computer starts to slow down some time after turning it on, freezes when watching videos or playing games, suddenly reboots or turns off under load, then there is a possibility of the processor overheating. In fact, this is one of the most common causes of such problems.

At the cleaning and visual inspection stage, you should have made sure that the processor cooler is not clogged with dust, its fan is spinning, and the radiator is securely pressed against the processor. I also hope that you did not remove it when cleaning, as this requires replacing the thermal paste, which I will talk about later.

We will use “CPU-Z” for a stress test with warming up the processor, and “HWiNFO” to monitor its temperature. Although, it is better to use the proprietary motherboard utility for temperature monitoring, it is more accurate. For example, ASUS has “PC Probe”.

To begin with, it would be a good idea to find out the maximum allowable thermal envelope of your processor (T CASE). For example, for my Core i7-6700K it is 64 °C.

You can find out by going to the manufacturer’s website from an Internet search. This is the critical temperature in the heat spreader (under the processor cover), the maximum allowed by the manufacturer. Do not confuse this with core temperature, which is usually higher and is also displayed in some utilities. Therefore, we will focus not on the temperature of the cores according to the processor sensors, but on the overall temperature of the processor according to the readings of the motherboard.

In practice, for most older processors, the critical temperature above which failures begin is 60 °C. The most modern processors can operate at 70 °C, which is also critical for them. You can find out the actual stable temperature of your processor from tests on the Internet.

So, we launch both utilities – “CPU-Z” and “HWiNFO”, find the processor temperature sensor (CPU) in the motherboard indicators, run the test in “CPU-Z” with the “Stress CPU” button and observe the temperature.

If after 10-15 minutes of the test the temperature is 2-3 degrees below the critical temperature for your processor, then there is nothing to worry about. But, if there were failures under high load, then it is better to run this test for 30-60 minutes. If your PC freezes or reboots during testing, you should consider improving cooling.

Please note that a lot also depends on the temperature in the room; it is possible that in cooler conditions the problem will not appear, but in hotter conditions it will immediately make itself felt. So you always need cooling with a reserve.

If your CPU is overheating, check if your cooler is compatible. If not, then you need to change it; no tricks will help here. If the cooler is powerful enough, but can’t handle it a little, then you should change the thermal paste to a more effective one; at the same time, the cooler itself may be installed more successfully.

Among inexpensive but very good thermal pastes, I can recommend Artic MX-4.

It must be applied in a thin layer, having first removed the old paste with dry material and then with cotton wool soaked in alcohol.

Replacing thermal paste will give you a gain of 3-5 °C; if this is not enough, then simply install additional case fans, at least the most inexpensive ones.

14. Disk testing

This is the longest step after the RAM test, so I prefer to leave it for last. To begin with, you can conduct a speed test of all drives using the “HDTune” utility, for which I give “”. This sometimes helps to identify freezes when accessing the disk, which indicates problems with it.

Look at the SMART parameters, where the “disk health” is displayed, there should be no red lines and the overall disk status should be “OK”.

You can download a list of the main SMART parameters and what they are responsible for in the “” section.

A full surface test can be performed using the same Windows utilities. The process may take 2-4 hours depending on the size and speed of the disk (about 1 hour for every 500 MB). Upon completion of the test, there should not be a single broken block, which are highlighted in red.

The presence of such a block is an unequivocal death sentence for the disk and is a 100% guaranteed case. Save your data faster and change the disk, just don’t tell the service that you dropped your laptop

You can check the surface of both regular hard drives (HDD) and solid-state drives (SSD). U the latter is true there is no surface, but if the HDD or SSD freezes every time during the test, then most likely the electronics are faulty and need to be replaced or repaired (the latter is unlikely).

If you are unable to diagnose a disk under Windows, the computer crashes or freezes, then try doing this using the MHDD utility from the Hiren’s BootCD boot disk.

Problems with the controller (electronics) and the disk surface lead to error windows in the operating system, short-term and complete freezes of the computer. Typically these are messages about the inability to read a particular file and memory access errors.

Such errors can be mistaken for problems with the RAM, while the disk may well be to blame. Before you panic, try updating the disk controller driver or, conversely, returning the native Windows driver as described in.

15. Testing the optical drive

To check an optical drive, it is usually enough to simply burn a verification disc. For example, using the “Astroburn” program, it is in the “” section.

After burning a disc with a message about successful verification, try copying its entire contents on another computer. If the disk is readable and the drive reads other disks (except for hard-to-read ones), then everything is fine.

Some of the problems I have encountered with the drive include electronics failures that completely freeze or prevent the computer from turning on, failures of the retractable mechanism, contamination of the laser head lens, and breakage of the head as a result of improper cleaning. In most cases, everything is solved by replacing the drive; fortunately, they are inexpensive and even if they have not been used for several years, they die from dust.

16. Body check

The case also sometimes breaks, sometimes the button gets stuck, sometimes the wiring from the front panel falls off, sometimes it shorts out in the USB connector. All this can lead to unpredictable behavior of the PC and can be solved by thorough inspection, cleaning, a tester, a soldering iron and other available means.

The main thing is that nothing short-circuits, as evidenced by a non-working light bulb or connector. If in doubt, disconnect all wires from the front panel of the case and try working on the computer for a while.

17. Checking the motherboard

Often, checking a motherboard comes down to checking all components. If all components individually work normally and pass tests, the operating system is reinstalled, but the computer still crashes, the problem may be with the motherboard. And here I can’t help you; only an experienced electronics engineer can diagnose it and identify a problem with the chipset or processor socket.

The exception is the crash of a sound or network card, which can be solved by disabling them in the BIOS and installing separate expansion cards. You can resolder the capacitors in the motherboard, but, say, replacing the north bridge is usually not advisable, since it is expensive and there are no guarantees; it is better to immediately buy a new motherboard.

18. If all else fails

Of course, it’s always better to discover the problem yourself and determine the best solution, since some unscrupulous repairmen try to pull the wool over your eyes and rip off your skin.

But it may happen that you follow all the recommendations, but cannot identify the problem, this has happened to me. In this case, the problem is most often in the motherboard or in the power supply; there may be a microcrack in the PCB and it makes itself felt from time to time.

In this case, there is nothing you can do, take the entire system unit to a more or less well-established computer company. There is no need to carry components in parts if you are not sure what is wrong, the issue will never be resolved. Let them sort it out, especially if the computer is still under warranty.

Computer store specialists usually don’t worry, they have a lot of different components, they just change something and see if the problem goes away, thus quickly and easily fixing the problem. They also have enough time to conduct tests.

19. Links

Transcend JetFlash 790 8GB
Hard drive Western Digital Caviar Blue WD10EZEX 1 TB
Transcend StoreJet 25A3 TS1TSJ25A3K

It often happens that after a long time of operation without failures, the computer completely unexpectedly fails. At the same time, the manifestations of breakdowns and their causes can be very different. In any case, first of all, the computer must be diagnosed for malfunctions in order to understand which particular PC element is to blame for the problems.

PC won't turn on

If the computer does not respond after pressing the power button, there is most likely a power problem. A simpler case is the failure of the button itself.

Inspection

It is not uncommon for the switch on the back of the power supply to be set to the "Off" position. In this case, the solution to the problem will be the simplest.

Connectors

If a cursory external examination does not bring results, further diagnostics of the computer for malfunction will require more complex actions. Remove the cover of the system unit case. Don't forget to disconnect your PC from the network first.

See if any connectors have come loose from the motherboard. It is best to turn them all off and wipe them with alcohol or cologne. Then you will have to refer to the manual that came with the motherboard. It will indicate where to connect all the wires.

This approach can eliminate several possible causes of malfunction at once: oxidation of contacts; incorrect connection of wires; random breaks in the circuit.

Button

If the previous steps did not bring results, diagnosing the computer for a malfunction should continue after disconnecting the power button connector. As you can see during operation, it connects to two pins of the motherboard. Lock them with any metal object, such as a paper clip.

If the PC turns on after this, the power button is most likely broken. To temporarily eliminate the inconvenience caused by this problem, you can simply change the purpose of the "Reset" key by connecting its wire to the "Power On" connector on the motherboard. That is, to the one that was closed with a paper clip earlier. Now to start the PC you will need to press the restart button on the system unit.

Second possible malfunction with the same symptom - the "Reset" keys. In order to check this diagnosis, you should simply disconnect the wire coming from the reset button, and then try to turn on the computer in the usual way.

Nutrition problems

If a paper clip doesn't help, the motherboard is probably not getting the power it needs. In this case, diagnosing the computer for malfunctions should continue by checking the ATX and P4 connectors.

ATX is a wide connector with 24 pins. P4 is square-shaped and has four wires going to it (sometimes the number can be up to eight). Simply unplug and then plug in the connectors again.

power unit

If previous actions did not lead to a positive result, the power supply has failed, but so far the probability of this is not one hundred percent. Further diagnostics of the computer at home will require connecting a known-good power supply to the PC.

The easiest way to complete this step is if you have several computers at home. Otherwise you will have to contact the service center. Buying a new power supply to diagnose problems is not the best option, because the device may be working properly, but the problem appears due to other problems.

Motherboard

After replacing the power supply, the computer does not turn on? We can say that in this case the diagnostics of the computer hardware is completed, but the motherboard has failed. It is best to replace it immediately; repairing such equipment is not worth it, since the price of this procedure may be higher than that of a new device.

Malfunctions

If problems arise unexpectedly and haphazardly while the computer is running, diagnosing the computer system should begin with updating the most important software. This includes the OS, drivers, antivirus. If no protective equipment not installed, you should install them and then conduct a full scan of your computer for viruses.

RAM

Often, the stability of a PC is disrupted due to a faulty RAM. There are many applications to check it. However, Memtest86+ is considered the best. You can download and use it absolutely free.

Before testing, you will need to prepare a bootable USB flash drive.

1. Download the program distribution kit. At this step, it is important to select USB INSTALLER and not ISO image.
2. After that, run the executable file. Its extension is EXE and its name starts with "Memtest".
3. A window will appear on the screen asking if you agree to the terms of the license agreement. Since the program cannot be launched without confirmation, you should click on the “I Agree” button.
4. The next step will require you to select a USB drive to which the application data will be copied. Be careful: all information from the flash drive may be deleted during the installation process.
5. Now all you have to do is click on “Create”. Wait for the computer diagnostic program to complete installation, and then click “Finish”

Now restart your PC and enter BIOS. To do this, press the "DEL" button when the computer just starts to turn on. After launching the BIOS setup utility, go to the "Advanced" menu. In it, select "First Boot Device" and switch the option to "USB".

Restart your computer again. If all the previous steps were completed correctly, the computer diagnostic program will load. The RAM check should start automatically. It is advisable to monitor the messages on the screen; sometimes before the test you will be asked to perform the procedure in safe mode. In this case, to start you need to press the "F1" button.

Memtest86+ runs 11 tests. In this case, after the completion of the last one, the procedure will begin again. If errors are found in the RAM, a red area with their description will appear on the monitor screen. If, after a full check, no problems are identified, the application will display the message “Press ESC to exit”.

If errors are found during the tests, the RAM should be replaced. If there are several RAM sticks, diagnostics and repair of computers involve checking each of them separately. To do this, you need to install them into the system unit one by one, and after changing, turn on the Memtest86+ utility again. Having identified the faulty device, you can continue to use the computer without it, losing some performance, but eliminating crashes.

Cooling system

If problems occur while running resource-intensive applications, there is a high probability that the PC's cooling system is not working efficiently enough. The problem is aggravated by dust that settles in radiators. As a result, the flow of cool air forced by the fan becomes unable to blow over all metal parts of the heat exchanger.

A program can be used to detect overheating. Diagnosing a computer for malfunctions will only require the user to install the appropriate application and monitor the sensor indicators.

AIDA64

One of the best utilities for monitoring computer temperature is AIDA64. After starting the program, you will need to select “Service” in the top menu, and then “System stability test”. A window with graphs will appear on the screen. They will display the temperature of all major PC components.

After clicking on the "Preferences" button, you can independently select which sensor data will be displayed on the diagrams. Since it is impossible to diagnose a computer for overheating when the computer is running in a gentle mode, you should run a special test. To check how the PC behaves when the processor is used at the maximum level, in the upper left corner you should check the boxes next to the words “Stress CPU” and “Stress FPU”.

It is advisable not to leave the device during this test and carefully monitor the data provided by the program. Since diagnosing a computer is only half the battle, in addition to identifying problems, you also need to prevent them from damaging your PC. If critical temperatures are exceeded, you should stop the test and think about replacing the cooling system. It would be a good idea to blow out dust from the radiators, and then check the temperature again at maximum load.

Crashes during games

If errors in the computer's operation occur during games or other applications that actively use the graphics system, diagnostics of the computer's operation can be performed using the FurMark program.

After launch, the settings window will open. In it, it is advisable to select the maximum resolution supported by the monitor, and also check the “FullScreen” checkbox. Now all you have to do is click on “Stress Test”.

A three-dimensional image will appear on the screen, but this is not what you should watch. Your main focus should be on the graph that appears below. It shows the temperature of the video processor. When critical values ​​are reached, press the "ESC" button to end the benchmark.

Image defects

If the monitor displays incorrect colors while working, this problem is often solved by simply replacing the cable. Diagnostics initially involve checking components. Try tightening the screws securing the plug. If this does not help, you can wipe the contacts with alcohol, and also check the functionality of the cable on another computer or monitor.

Previous actions did not lead to success? Update or reinstall your video driver. It is also a good idea to test the graphics card for overheating, as described above.

No sound

How to diagnose a computer and identify a malfunction if the sound disappears? Typically, such problems appear after installing a new video card or graphics adapter. Almost all similar modern devices come with an HDMI output through which audio can be output. And along with the increase in sound-producing devices, there is a risk of incorrect auto-tuning.

Launch any player and turn on music in it. Click on the speaker icon in the system tray, and then click on “Playback Devices”. In the left column of the window that opens, right-click on each device and indicate to the OS that it should be used as the default.

If the sound still does not appear, diagnosing your computer at home will require additional steps. Check the wires that connect and output the audio card. The easiest way to do this is to disconnect the plug from the computer connector and connect it to any other audio device (player, mobile phone).

If there is still no sound from the speakers, try replacing the cable. Is the audio system silent even after this procedure? This means that the computer is fully operational, but the “acoustics” require replacement.

HDD malfunctions

How to diagnose a computer when the hard drive does not appear in Explorer or in the BIOS? You should start by checking the cables. The easiest way is to use a cable from the HDD that works stably. If this measure does not help, there is a high probability of failure of the drive itself. In this case, further attempts at repair at home will not lead to positive results. Only a specialist can perform data recovery from this HDD.

If information from the hard drive can be read, but the OS installed on it cannot be loaded, then the MBR ( boot record) was damaged. To resolve this issue, you must boot from the installation Windows disk. In the menu, click on “Repair your computer”, and then click on “Bootloader recovery”.

Computer testing is necessary to quickly identify any problems in the system, both at the software and hardware levels.

If the test program shows a result that is different from normal, this indicates that one or more devices are not working correctly.

To get more exact result diagnostics, you should check your computer with several different programs.

Diagnostics using the Aida64 utility

This program is able to provide a report on the results of the work of all system components (hardware and programs). The utility is the most popular program for testing personal computers and laptops.

The application interface is very simple, so each user can conduct tests of the required component or the entire system as a whole.

The application interface is presented in Russian.

We will conduct a general scan of your computer for performance and possible problems using this application.

To begin the testing process, follow the instructions:

• Open the program and click on the “Test” tab, which is located in the lower left corner of the program, as shown in the figure;

• The testing tab presents all possible scanning options for components such as memory. You can also diagnose the memory writing process and memory latency.
  To test one of the elements, select it and then click on the “Start” button at the top of the toolbar;

• Next, the program will show the processor power in comparison with other popular models and the main characteristics of the system, as well as possible problems;

Follow the instructions below to get a detailed system report:

• Go to the main program window and click on the “Report” button, which is located on the main toolbar;

• The Report Wizard will open. Click the next button to configure the outgoing report in more detail;

• Select the report direction. It can be composed of software or hardware components. In this case, the hardware report will consist of diagnostic results of hardware partitions;

• Then select the report format that is convenient for you and wait for the final document to be generated;
• An example of the text format of the initial report on hardware partitions is shown in the figure below.

Processor testing. CPU Tester Program

Testing a processor can show its detailed parameters. Also, using such a test, you can determine existing problems with the central processor that are slowing down the computer.

Advice! If you have recently purchased a computer, it is advisable to test the processor and other hardware components to ensure that all hardware specifications provided by the manufacturer are correct.

You can test the processor using the CPU Tester program.

This utility has powerful functionality for testing the device’s processor and determining its basic parameters. The program is also able to identify problems and malfunctions and indicate their nature. The utility is also available online.

During testing, it is necessary to close all running programs and games, because they will additionally load the processor and the final test result will not correspond to reality.

After closing all running programs, click on the “Run Test” button to begin the process of conducting and generating testing of the central processor.

After the testing process is completed, the program will open a new user window, which will contain all the diagnostic results and processor parameters, as shown in the figure below. If desired, the report can be printed.

IN in this example The test shows that the processor operates stably, without any glitches.

Power supply testing

If your personal computer heats up too quickly, while all the fans are cleaned and working stably, you need to check the health of the power supply. It is necessary to check the voltage supply to the power supply.

• Open the computer lid and disconnect the power supply from the case;

Computer power supply

Advice! To then fix the power supply in its original place, you can take a photo of its original position.

• Connect the power supply to your network and test the switch.

To check the operation of the power supply at the software level, you can use the speedfan program, which can regulate the operation of the unit and control the operating modes of the computer fans.

Testing RAM. Memtest program

To test RAM, it is best to use the Memtest utility, which is designed to regulate the operation and identify faults in the computer’s memory.

Testing is carried out as follows:

1. Download and install software for testing on the developer's website www.memtest.org;
2. Then you need to create a bootable disk or flash drive. Disk testing will be carried out in RAM, so it will be possible to determine its performance;
3. You need to boot your computer from the newly created disk. You can configure the boot order of devices in the computer BIOS.
   If the testing process lasts a very long time and does not stop, this indicates that the system is working normally and there are no malfunctions in the computer’s RAM.
   If any problems are found, the testing process will be stopped and the user will be notified of the errors found. Then the process of starting the operating system of your personal computer or laptop will begin.

Monitor testing. IsMyLcdOK program

Monitor testing is carried out to find non-working or, as they are also called, “broken” pixels. Such pixels are unable to transmit color or information, so they will be visible on low-resolution screens.

A large number of such pixels indicate that the monitor is of poor quality or defective.

Best utility to check the monitor image is IsMyLcdOK. This application allows the user to quickly determine the number of dead pixels on the display.

The testing process is as follows: the screen is completely colored in specific color, the user needs to click on any place with the mouse in order for the faucet to change to a new color.

This color change helps the naked eye identify bad pixels.

Testing your computer's performance in MAXON CINEBENCH R15

Testing Your Computer - Detailed Guide