PC Hardware Tools

• Troubleshoot PC hardware. ULTRA.F/Photodisc/Getty Images

  A PC consists of hardware components, operating system, and software. Hardware components include CPU, RAM, graphical memory, hard drives, graphic card, DVD drives, and network adapter. Like any electrical device, a computer component can stop working. But there are many types of hardware and software tools to help troubleshoot computer hardware problems.

Belarc Advisor

• In the event of hardware failure, you need to know what components your computer comprises before starting to troubleshoot. Belarc Adviser is an inventory tool that produces an HTML report showing information about your software and hardware installed. Gathered information includes motherboard type, CPU specification, operating system revision, web browser, and Microsoft hot fixes. Once you have the computer inventory, it is easier for you to diagnose the problems.

Micro-Scope - Diagnostic Software

• Diagnostic software can check the system and identify problems by running numerous tests on your system. The software produces reports and error messages to show the problems and issues. Micro-Scope is one such PC diagnostic tool. It is operating system--independent, which means it runs directly over the hardware, bypassing DOS or Windows, for the sake of fast troubleshooting. It can conduct hard-drive testing, memory testing, or a combined testing for diagnosing hardware issues. In the following scenarios, you can seek help from this tool: blue screen of death or other intermittent faults, faulty memory stick, infected hard drive, and new hardware conflicts.

Troubleshooting with Cable Testers

• Computer-associated networking problems include bad cabling and broken wires. Numerous devices can be used to test the network communication cabling. Cabling Tester is one of them. You can use data cabling testers to conduct various tests on the UTP (unshielded twisted pair) / STP (shielded twisted pair) and coaxial cables. Issues including crossed-over wiring, broken wires, short connections, and impaired cable connections can be detected by this tool.