Recommended diagnostic software to use on used equipment?

dud

Diamond Member
Feb 18, 2001
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I may be buying another used Laptop in the next week and am looking for some software that I can run on the unit (when I go check it out) to give me more info than Windows provides ... as well as a relatively quick test/check out of the system.

Any recommendations of apps (prefer a single app) to indicate to me, the buyer, that the unit does/does not have issues?

Thanks ...
 

techs

Lifer
Sep 26, 2000
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Huh. In a tech forum only one reply?
Everyone must be out partying this weekend.
 

stlcardinals

Senior member
Sep 15, 2005
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I would look on the laptop manufacturer's website. I believe all of the major brands have some form of diagnostic software that you can download.
 

techs

Lifer
Sep 26, 2000
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You could use memtest86 free to test the memory. However, it takes a long time to run, and unless the computer has special memory it may just be easier to swap it out if its bad.
 

WobbleWobble

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2001
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Since it's a laptop, make sure that the battery is functioning and charging correctly. Run it on battery and see how long Windows reports the battery life is.
 

dud

Diamond Member
Feb 18, 2001
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I was hoping (probably foolishly) for a program I could burn to a CD ... put in the drive ... run ... and it would tell me (within a reasonable amount of time) if the laptop's components were functioning nominally.

This is an issue all face when buying USED.

Thank you for all of your responses ...
 

tcsenter

Lifer
Sep 7, 2001
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I was hoping (probably foolishly) for a program I could burn to a CD ... put in the drive ... run ... and it would tell me (within a reasonable amount of time) if the laptop's components were functioning nominally.
Built-in diagnostic and testing features are fairly limited on standardized PC hardware. It can't be driven in software if the hardware doesn't feature the capabilities.