Testing computers

stevo1210 · 05-28-2012, 08:36 AM

How do you guys test computers and laptops for stability issues etc? As in what method or burn in software do you use?
I personally just pop memtest86+ overnight and if it doesn't crash I'll call it a day... Open to suggestions.

Koda · 05-28-2012, 09:14 AM

If system is suspected to have stability issues or a mobo is recapped I usually run prime95 for 36 hours, if memory is suspected memtest for 36 hours and if gpu is suspected furmark for 6-10 hours. That's only for extreme cases. If other non critical work is being done on the system 5 hours of testing.

**ratdude747** · 05-28-2012, 09:58 AM

memtest86.

c_hegge · 05-28-2012, 03:13 PM

Memtest86+ for 24 hours, followed by IntelBurnTest for 24 hours.

**Topcat** · 05-28-2012, 09:25 PM

a program called 'the troubleshooter' and/or memtest

stevo1210 · 05-28-2012, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topcat

a program called 'the troubleshooter' and/or memtest

I use the troubleshooter sometimes. Only issue is that it doesn't work on laptops like IBM Thinkpads? or did I get a screwed up CD?

Th3_uN1Qu3 · 05-29-2012, 05:07 AM

The Troubleshooter is an old piece of software, it won't work with everything nowadays. IntelBurnTest and Furmark, and Victoria (a russian software, from Hiren's Boot CD) for the HDD.

lti · 05-30-2012, 12:16 PM

Toshiba tests computers by starting Windows, opening Internet Explorer, and then shutting the computer off as soon as the home page loads.

ncovert · 05-30-2012, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lti

Toshiba tests computers by starting Windows, opening Internet Explorer, and then shutting the computer off as soon as the home page loads.

LOL. How do you know that, or did you make it up?

As for testing, usually Memtest86+ or Prime95. I also test the PSU voltages with a DMM and make sure everything else works.

lti · 05-30-2012, 07:46 PM

I saw the event logs and browser history on my laptop after it was returned from its first two warranty repairs. They actually do run testing software when they first receive the computer, but I don't think they perform any tests to see if the part they replaced fixed the problem.

c_hegge · 05-30-2012, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lti

Toshiba tests computers by starting Windows, opening Internet Explorer, and then shutting the computer off as soon as the home page loads.

Really? I've had nothing but good experiences with Toshiba support.

larrymoencurly · 05-30-2012, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lti

I saw the event logs and browser history on my laptop after it was returned from its first two warranty repairs. They actually do run testing software when they first receive the computer, but I don't think they perform any tests to see if the part they replaced fixed the problem.

Was that Toshiba factory service or a local independent authorized repair center? Because I've heard the latter vary widely in quality, but the one in NW Phoenix, AZ is decent. Also Toshiba factory tech support for software seems good, but hardware tech support is among the worst I've experienced:

1st level tech: knows nothing about computers (What's the maximum memory capacity of model XYZ? "One-six-zero-G.B."), just types your inquiries into the same Ask Iris search engine that the public has to use.

2nd level tech: knows the very basics of computers in general, still has no access to non-public information.

3rd level tech: may understand specifics of Toshiba computers, can access non-public information. May be crabby and not let you speak to a supervisor or manager ("I'm the top of the top, baby!").

Krendoshazin · 05-31-2012, 06:38 AM

Memtest86 is good for testing the stability of the CPU, RAM, and any components related to that system.
I use a DOS version of Hard Disk Sentinel for testing hard drives in a system; this allows me to see if there are any problems with the disk itself, or with communication between the disk and the controller.
I have a device for testing power supplies that checks all of the voltage rails and tells me if any of them are out of spec. However, this doesn't test the supply under stress and I'll figure out how to test it under a load at some point.
I have Slax on a USB drive with a few tools loaded on it. One of these is 'System Stability Tester' which makes the system run at 100% by calculating pi to a specified amount of places (the more digits, the more resource intensive). If it can handle a full load for several hours, then I consider it stable.

That pretty much covers my toolkit.

lti · 05-31-2012, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larrymoencurly

Was that Toshiba factory service or a local independent authorized repair center? Because I've heard the latter vary widely in quality, but the one in NW Phoenix, AZ is decent.

This computer went to Louisville, Kentucky.

05-28-2012, 08:36 AM	#1
stevo1210 FD Civic Driver Join Date: Oct 2006 City & State: Eastern coast My Country: Australia Line Voltage: 240V 50Hz I'm a: Student Tech Posts: 3,688	Testing computers How do you guys test computers and laptops for stability issues etc? As in what method or burn in software do you use? I personally just pop memtest86+ overnight and if it doesn't crash I'll call it a day... Open to suggestions. __________________ Don't find love, let love find you. That's why its called falling in love, because you don't force yourself to fall, you just fall. - Anonymous

05-28-2012, 09:14 AM	#2
Koda Badcaps Veteran Join Date: Aug 2011 City & State: Prilep My Country: Macedonia Line Voltage: 220v AC I'm a: Professional Tech Posts: 267	Re: Testing computers If system is suspected to have stability issues or a mobo is recapped I usually run prime95 for 36 hours, if memory is suspected memtest for 36 hours and if gpu is suspected furmark for 6-10 hours. That's only for extreme cases. If other non critical work is being done on the system 5 hours of testing. __________________ Guns don't solve problems. I'll take 12

05-28-2012, 09:58 AM	#3
ratdude747 Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2008 City & State: New Albany, IN My Country: USA Line Voltage: 120VAC 60Hz I'm a: Student Tech Posts: 10,739	Re: Testing computers memtest86. __________________ (Insert signature here)

05-28-2012, 03:13 PM	#4
c_hegge Unknown Join Date: Sep 2009 City & State: North Coast, NSW My Country: Australia Line Voltage: 240V 50Hz I'm a: Professional Tech Posts: 3,358	Re: Testing computers Memtest86+ for 24 hours, followed by IntelBurnTest for 24 hours. __________________ I love putting bad caps and flat batteries in fire and watching them explode!! Main PC: Core i5 660 3.33GHz, Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3R, 4GB Kingston DDR3 1333, 750GB WD HDD, Sony Optiarc DVD RW, nVidia GTX295 1760MB, Antec 1200 Case, Delta DPS-750CB 750W PSU, Hauppauge TV Tuner, Windows XP Pro. Main Laptop: Lenovo Thinkpad T60: Core 2 T2500 2GHz, 2GB DDR2, 80GB HDD, DVD RW, Intel Graphics, Windows XP Pro. 2nd Laptop: Toshiba Satellite A200: Core Duo 1.73GHz, 2GB DDR2, 60GB HDD, DVD RW, nVidia GF Go 7300 Graphics, OpenSUSE 12.2, Fan Mod

05-28-2012, 09:25 PM	#5
Topcat The Boss Stooge Join Date: Oct 2003 City & State: Salem, MO My Country: United States Line Voltage: 120VAC 60Hz I'm a: Professional Tech Posts: 6,364	Re: Testing computers a program called 'the troubleshooter' and/or memtest __________________ <--- Badcaps.net Owner & Forum Administrator!! Badcaps.net Services: Premade Capacitor Kits Badcaps.net Capacitor Master List Motherboard Repair Services If you've come here in search of replacement capacitors or repair services, please use the links above. ---------------------------------------------- Badcaps.net Forum Members Folding Team http://folding.stanford.edu/ Team : 49813 Join in!! Team Stats

05-30-2012, 12:16 PM	#8
lti Badcaps Veteran Join Date: May 2011 City & State: Windsor, Colorado My Country: United States I'm a: Hobbyist Tech Posts: 1,141	Re: Testing computers Toshiba tests computers by starting Windows, opening Internet Explorer, and then shutting the computer off as soon as the home page loads.

05-30-2012, 07:46 PM	#10
lti Badcaps Veteran Join Date: May 2011 City & State: Windsor, Colorado My Country: United States I'm a: Hobbyist Tech Posts: 1,141	Re: Testing computers I saw the event logs and browser history on my laptop after it was returned from its first two warranty repairs. They actually do run testing software when they first receive the computer, but I don't think they perform any tests to see if the part they replaced fixed the problem.

05-31-2012, 06:38 AM	#13
Krendoshazin New Member Join Date: Feb 2012 City & State: London My Country: England I'm a: Professional Tech Posts: 10	Re: Testing computers Memtest86 is good for testing the stability of the CPU, RAM, and any components related to that system. I use a DOS version of Hard Disk Sentinel for testing hard drives in a system; this allows me to see if there are any problems with the disk itself, or with communication between the disk and the controller. I have a device for testing power supplies that checks all of the voltage rails and tells me if any of them are out of spec. However, this doesn't test the supply under stress and I'll figure out how to test it under a load at some point. I have Slax on a USB drive with a few tools loaded on it. One of these is 'System Stability Tester' which makes the system run at 100% by calculating pi to a specified amount of places (the more digits, the more resource intensive). If it can handle a full load for several hours, then I consider it stable. That pretty much covers my toolkit.

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