Recommended diagnostic software to use on used equipment?

[dud]

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]

Use the free HD Tune to read the hard drives S.M.A.R.T. chip.

http://www.hdtune.com/files/hdtune_255.exe

 

[techs]

Huh. In a tech forum only one reply?
Everyone must be out partying this weekend.

 

[stlcardinals]

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.

 

[tcsenter]

Event Viewer.

 

[lxskllr]

UBCD4Win

http://www.ubcd4win.com/

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Belarc advisor to give you info about installed components.

 

[techs]

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]

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]

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 ...

 

[Modelworks]

Everest is probably going to be the easiest to use. It gives quite a bit of information and you can run the stress test option in it to see what the hardware quality is like.
http://www.lavalys.com/products/everest-pc-diagnostics

 

[Blazer7]

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.

Or you can use multiple instances of memtest for windows. This will speed things up a bit.

 

[tcsenter]

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.