There are many commercial software
products available to assist in troubleshooting computer problems.
These products are also helpful in preventing potential system
failures. Some of the more popular programs are included in the
following list:
SpinRite
SpinRite is a program for recovering data from a crashed hard
drive. It has gained market recognition and can recover data from
even the worse crashes. SpinRite is a stand-alone application that
is capable of booting independent of DOS. SpinRite can help
prevent hard drive failures as well. If loaded before a failure,
it can warn users of a potential problem and can prevent a crash
by isolating problem areas of the hard drive. The bad areas are
designated as being corrupt. If an area has been corrupted, it
cannot be used to read or write data.
Checkit
Checkit performs system analysis and testing. It can provide the
technician with performance reports for the hardware components.
Checkit can perform loop-back testing using loop-back plugs. It
can also verify proper operation of the CPU, PCI slots, DMA, CMOS,
Cache, keyboard, and the first 64 megabytes of video RAM.
PC Technician
PC Technician is a stand-alone diagnostic tool that operates
independent of DOS. PC Technician can perform diagnostic tests on
parallel, serial, hard drive, keyboards, video, and RAM.
AMI Diags
AMI Diags provides advanced diagnostic system testing. AMI Diags
can provide reports on memory, serial ports, parallel ports,
modems, hard drives, keyboard, BIOS, and video adapters.
SiSoft Sandra
System Analyzer, Diagnostic and Reporting Assistant (Sandra) is a
freeware program that provides a set of diagnostic tools that can
aide in troubleshooting and benchmarking computer components.
Sandra can test the performance of the CPU, modem, video card,
memory, BIOS, and hard drive.
