Hardware Tests (2023)

HARDWARE TESTS -


1) Test the memory using WIndows Memory Diagnostics by typing it is Search, open as Administrator and run.


If problems are found then test the RAM overnight to stress it with the best bootable test memtest86, following this guide to test both sticks and slots: https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/how-to-test-ram


Run Crucial System Scanner to check the RAM is precisely spec'd and configured, and what upgrade options exist for first quality discount RAM: https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/systemscanner?cm_re=us-footer-_-us-upgrade-_-us-upgrade-scanner



2) Test the hard drive or SSD with diagnostics: https://www.lifewire.com/free-hard-drive-testing-programs-2626183 https://mashtips.com/ssd-health-test-and-performance-monitor-tools/


HP and Dell have hardware diagnostics triggered by tapping the ESC or F12 keys respectively as you power on.


Best is to use the HDD/SSD manufacturer's own if there is one, otherwise use Seatools bootable long test: http://blog.nowherelan.com/2013/04/04/boot-seatools-off-of-a-usb-drive/


Follow this up with a full Disk Check: https://allthings.how/how-to-run-chkdsk-in-windows-11/



3) Stress test the rest of your hardware: https://techguided.com/best-tools-to-stress-test-p-cpu-ram-gpu/



If you were referred here from another thread, please post back results in that thread. Otherwise you can ask questions and share information in the Comments section below.



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I had been having intermittent freeze up problems for several months. Because I have a service contract with Dell, I went to them for help. After much troubleshooting, they thought that the problem was with my Windows 11 software and wanted me to reinstall Windows 10. I did that and found that the problem did not go away. Updating to Windows 11 got the same results! I decided that because of the symptoms of this problem, that I was having a power supply problem. I had recently had a SSD system drive failure and I was was give a hard drive as a replacement. I already had two hard drives in this computer, and the addition of this new hard drive meant that I now had three hard drives there, with a power supply of only 450 Watts. To troubleshoot this problem, I removed my largest non system hard drive, from the computer, and the problem went away.

If you added a new device to your computer, just before this problem occurred, I would try either removing it, or getting a new more powerful power supply. My biggest clue to solving this problem should have been when I noticed that during freeze ups that the voltages to my USB ports were shut off. Frozen software does not have the ability to do this, but a shut down power supply does.

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Thanks for reporting back what worked, Gerry.


There is a good Power Supply Calculator here:

Power Supply Calculator - PSU Calculator | OuterVision

I have thought about adding it to these hardware tests. What do you think?

Windows MVP 2010-2020 (ret).
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Last updated April 11, 2025 Views 19,348 Applies to: