Program for scanning the system for errors. Computer setup utility

All Windows operating systems have a helper command msconfig which launches System Setup... It serves to control the progress of the computer's initial boot, but it can be used to exclude individual drivers, services and programs from the boot process, which sometimes helps to start a computer that for some reason refuses to do so. In addition to troubleshooting problems in the settings of this program, you can also change the system configuration.

Computer setup utility

Before changing any settings, create at least a point. Otherwise it may be that your system is simple. This, of course, should not be, but you never know ...

Built-in system configuration utility

The easiest way is to run the program from the command line ( Start – Execute ). Also, to launch it, you can simply press two keys on the keyboard at the same time. Win + R .

In field Open enter program file name msconfig , and click the button below OK .

The program window will open System Setup .

• To set a special boot mode you need on the tab General set switch Selective launch ... This activates the check boxes (below) that you can use to enable or disable the use of individual boot files. If you do not understand what this or that function is intended for, then it is better not to experiment (at least on your computer). Using the button Extract file you can select and repair an individual damaged system file. And with the button Run System Restore you can restore system parameters before installing any driver, game or program;

• Configuration files system. ini and win.ini Is a legacy of older versions of Windows. They can be blocked.

• Configuration file boot. ini contains basic boot parameters. They can be changed temporarily. And you can return to the old version by setting the desired switch on the tab General .

• In the tab Services is a list of Windows XP services that can be started when the operating system starts. You can deny or allow starting for each service individually. This setting does not affect the ability to start or stop the service at other times.

• The tab lists the programs that are launched during bootup. Among them are those that are included in the folder. Here you can enable or disable the automatic launch of programs. All objects on different tabs of the window are equipped with checkboxes. If the checkbox is enabled, then the object participates in the system boot, if not, then it is ignored. Disabling some programs from startup greatly increases the speed of loading the operating system.

The main task of the program for diagnosing a computer is to obtain as much information as possible about the software and hardware of the device.

With its help, they determine whether there are enough resources to run a certain application, check the characteristics of the system, components and their state.

Such programs are especially important for a person who, for whatever reason, needs to know the parameters of someone else's computer and to correct errors.

The need for system monitoring

Applications that can diagnose the system are essential to obtain important information that will help:

1. Determine how much memory is installed on your computer, its type and number of slots. After that, it will be much easier to choose a new suitable RAM or conclude that it is worth replacing the entire motherboard or computer (laptop);
2. Understand exactly how to prepare for the release of the expected game - add memory, install a more powerful processor, purchase an additional hard drive or video card;
3. Determine the temperature of the graphic and central processor, identifying the need to replace the thermal paste;
4. Find out why installed programs do not work and the computer freezes - due to incorrect drivers, insufficient video memory, or hardware malfunction.

CPU-Z

The program distributed free of charge has an unassuming interface and allows you to receive technical information about almost all elements of a computer:

• Processor (including its model, architecture, socket, voltage, frequency, multiplier, cache size and number of cores);
• Motherboard (brand, model, BIOS version, supported memory types);
• RAM (size, type and frequency);

The main advantages of the application is the ability to obtain detailed and accurate information in Russian about all the components of the system.

It can be useful for professional users and hobbyists.

Among the disadvantages is the inability to determine the temperature of processors.

Speccy

Another free program gives you the opportunity to get detailed information about all major components and software, from the processor and board, to RAM and optical disks.

In addition, with the help of Speccy, you can get data from temperature measurement sensors, finding ways to correct errors in connection or installation of a ventilation system.

Naturally, the application also determines the number of RAM slots, which can be an important factor in determining the need and possibilities for upgrading a computer.

And when preparing the device for sale, Speccy can be used to quickly compile a list of components.

After all, although the built-in utilities allow you to do almost the same, it will take more time, and some data will not work out.

It is worth noting that the developers of the program are the authors of such useful software as.

And among its advantages they note:

• Clear and practical interface;
• Quick access to important information;
• No need to install the application, which may be needed, for example, if you do not have access to the administrator account;
• The ability to monitor the selected parameter in real time by setting it as a tray icon;
• Launch simultaneously with the system;
• Free access.

HWiNFO

Thanks to the HWiNFO system application, you can get the most useful information about the system.

And also compare the performance of individual hardware components with the template parameters and indicators of popular analogues.

In addition, the program allows you to create reports that can be used to compare the performance of individual PC elements.

All the information is quite detailed, however, it concerns only the hardware - it will not work to learn about the drivers with its help.

However, this drawback is practically the only one, since the application is able to collect data about any device, including even outdated equipment (for example, IDE and dial-up modems), old BIOS and video cards of any type.

In addition, the application can also test processors, memory and disks. The data obtained as a result of the test can be stored in logs.

And you can control individual parameters using the tray icons, which change periodically.

AIDA64 Extreme

Its name can be deciphered as System Info for Windows.

It has a small size and a simplified interface that resembles the standard Windows utilities and is able to display all the information the user needs most.

For example, using SIW, you can find out about the latest system updates, get information about system files or folders, as well as about drivers, running processes and services.

Moreover, in a more detailed form than the "Task Manager" allows.

For commercial or corporate use, a license must be purchased.

conclusions

The number of programs for checking hardware and operating system is quite large.

New applications are almost constantly being created to help control computer parameters and hardware malfunctions.

But the programs presented in the list allow you to do this as efficiently as possible by installing only 2-3 applications, and not a dozen.

This saves time and does not download unnecessary files from the network, risking accidentally bringing a virus to your computer.

In addition, if there is no network access, Windows has a number of utilities that will also allow you to find out some parameters.

Video material:

TOP programs for computer diagnostics

The computer has become faulty again, but you do not know what the problem is? Maybe you are thinking of selling your hardware, but it takes a very long time to collect information with built-in applications, and you would like to find a solution faster and easier? Then you can pay attention to programs for computer diagnostics. We have compiled a small rating, all of them have already shown themselves to be reliable and quick help, so we can recommend them for work.

Pivot table

Why is it necessary to monitor your PC system?

Any computer and laptop is a complex machine that every second performs many processes from displaying a picture to the screen to writing a letter pressed on the keyboard. That is why it is important to constantly monitor the state of your device, noticing problems that arise in the work in time, because one incorrectly working element can break the operation of the entire machine.

Programs that carry out full diagnostics of the entire PC help to track incorrect operation.... As an example: they can determine how much memory is installed on your laptop, as well as the type of this memory and the number of slots. Why do you need this information?

The computer technician will tell you that this will help you find new, more suitable RAM. With the new data, you will be able to understand whether you need to change the motherboard, add memory, install a more powerful processor, or buy an additional hard drive. Some utilities will monitor the temperature of the processors to tell you if you need to replace the thermal paste to avoid overheating. In general, all diagnostic applications will help you find out why your PC or any particular installed program is not working. To understand which utility to install for you, it remains to learn more about each of our ratings.

Diagnostic highlights

Inexperienced PC users are sure that they will not cope with the problems that have arisen, and immediately run to the computer masters and service centers without trying to figure it out on their own. However, it is enough to know what malfunctions may occur with your computer in order to find out what the problem is and solve it on your own.

The following can interfere with the operation of your computer or laptop:

• Overheating of microcircuits and connectors due to their dustiness
• Strong oxidation of contacts
• Incorrect grounding
• Unstable operation of the power supply
• Overheating of PC components due to excessive cooling
• Burnout of components due to overvoltage or power surge

The reports that any utility will issue will tell you where non-standard parameters are specifically observed. Also, if the situation is clearly beyond your power, you can refer the diagnostic result to the master or send it by e-mail.

If you observe incorrect operation of only one element, then it is worth downloading a utility whose work is aimed at analyzing its performance. For video cards, for example, it is important that PC performance is still evaluated during the benchmark. And to analyze the work of hard drives, you will have to compare the results with the characteristics of drives on other devices.

Description of programs for diagnostics: top 12 leaders

We have selected all the necessary tools available on the Internet. Programs have different purposes and diverse functionality, you just have to find the best option for you. Remember that sometimes it is required to install several programs at once in order to conduct not only a general scan of the computer, but testing and comparison with analogs.

AIDA64

Utility tariff plans

AIDA64

It often stands on the devices of specialists and computer foremen, because it provides comprehensive and reliable information about components, OS, other installed programs, networks and external devices. This program conducts as a complete diagnostics of the computer, collecting the necessary system data, but tests individual elements, including the RAM, helping to configure the parameters for optimal performance.

This utility will be very convenient for those who are not too versed in hardware: all the information displayed is located on the right side of a separate panel, moreover, it is intuitively structured by the main parameters.

This utility is good because it performs the functions of a benchmark – that is, it determines the power of the processor and video card and gives a comparison with the data of other models. She also knows how to identify installed drivers and even search for their latest versions, if necessary.

AIDA64 gives you the ability to monitor the system in real time to keep track of the load on key system nodes. Survey reports are issued as a document that can be saved in any format. The reports themselves, like the program interface, are translated into Russian, which will allow even an amateur to work with the program. By the way, you can install AIDA64 not only on any version of Windows, but also on mobile gadgets on Android, iOS and Windows Phone platforms. Unfortunately, the utility is not free, but it has a demo version, albeit rather limited.

Speccy

Official site

Speccy

Speccy is now the most effective program for obtaining detailed reports on the operation of the system, although it has not yet gained much popularity on the Internet. It is free and supported on all Windows models from XP to 10. This utility allows you to find out the necessary data about the processor, memory, video card, hard disk and the installed operating system, and it gives the information in a complete and extremely convenient form, so that even a beginner can figure it out. For example, you can use it to see the number of RAM slots and decide if you need to upgrade your PC.

Importantly, Speccy not only helps to obtain information from temperature measurement sensors, but also offers ways to correct connection errors or simply install a ventilation system.

The program works in such a way that when it starts, it scans the computer completely. It weighs very little, so we recommend downloading it, even if there is no need for it now: it will allow you to control the heating of your PC, quickly compile a list of components and even monitor the list of drivers needed to install.

By the way, the data is saved in TXT and XML formats, so that in case of a breakdown you can show the report to the wizard. Do not forget that the developers of Speccy are the creators of CCleaner and Defraggler, which in itself is a guarantee of quality and stable work.

HWiNFO

Program website

HWiNFO

HWiNFO is a program used mainly by professionals and hardware experts. It is necessary for everyone who delves into the depths of the hardware, because it gives out all the information about every important element. In addition to analyzing PCs, it is suitable for obtaining data on outdated equipment, old BIOSes, video cards, and more. It also helps to compare the performance of hardware components not only with standard indicators, but also with the characteristics of popular counterparts.

The main functionality of the utility includes:

• Recognition of microprocessors with the determination of their parameters
• Calculating FSB Frequency
• Testing processors, memory and disks
• Getting data about the motherboard and BIOS
• Reading information from SPD
• Identifying a large variety of video accelerators

And this is not a complete list of possibilities. In general, HWiNFO allows you to get information about almost everything except, perhaps, drivers. She saves all received data in the journal.so you can get them and use them later. By the way, you can constantly monitor the parameters for some element by installing icons in the tray.

CPU-Z

Official site

CPU-Z

It's a simple free program, allowing you to quickly receive important technical information about the main elements of the computer. The utility is distributed in two versions, differing in the need for installation, but in terms of performance, they are about the same.

CPU-Z can detect:

• Model, number of cores, architecture and processor socket
• CPU voltage, frequency, cache and multiplier
• Motherboard make and model
• BIOS version and memory type
• The amount, type and frequency of RAM
• Name, type and size of the video card

The main advantage for Russian speakers is the ability to obtain accurate characteristics in Russian. Of course, the design of CPU-Z is rather poor, but for applications of this type it is not important, and minimalism does not complicate the perception of information.

The only real drawback is the impossibility of determining the temperature of processors... But in contrast, there are good computer scanning speed and the reliability of the utility.

HWMonitor

Program website

HWMonitor

Simple, understandable and most importantly absolutely free utility.

With which you can monitor the readings of temperature sensors motherboard temperature, CPU temperature, hard disk temperature, circuit voltage.

As well as the capacity of the battery and the degree of its wear. The program shows three graphs of minimum, average and peak value.

PerformanceTest

Official site

PerformanceTest

This tool is slightly different from the previous options - it is a set of tests to assess the performance of a PC. As a result of each test, the program collects characteristics that it compares with those of similar devices. The latest version of this utility contains 27 functions that differ in relation to a specific category. There are several:

• For the processor - compression, encryption and computation speed
• For a video card that evaluates the display quality of 2D, 3D graphics and animation, as well as compatibility with DirectX and its analogues
• For a hard drive, where you can test writing, reading and retrieval speed
• For floppy drives
• For RAM

There are many more functions, in addition, the user can create five of his own tests. By the way, the program saves test reports in many standard formats from HTML to Docx. They can be sent by email, or pasted into any text editor and printed.

The ability to import tests into another application and insert them into the site code is also very remarkable.... It is important to note that PerformanceTest is just shareware, but it can be easily downloaded and activated on many file hosting services. It works on all versions of Windows from XP to 10.

CrystalDiskMark

Program website

CrystalDiskMark

Another program designed to conduct tests, analyze the speed of reading and writing a hard disk... CrystalDiskMark uses test files ranging in size from 50 MB to 32 GB, and by running them, the utility reveals the average disk speed. To identify accurate performance indicators, it makes several checks at once, the number of which you personally specify before starting testing. In the settings section you can choose the data type, test intervals, queue sizes and number of threads yourself.

The program is free, Russified and suitable for any version of Windows. It is very small in size, so it downloads quickly and takes up almost no space.

CrystalDiskMark produces results in a convenient way. Of course, the data of the average read and write speed "hard" are unlikely to be of interest to an amateur, but a professional will easily understand the reporting. By the way, the more tests the program carries out, the more average results you get.

Hard disk data