Section 3: System Diagnostics
Important!
If you have not already done so, you should prepare a copy of the Ultimate Boot CD. Instructions for doing so can be found in the tools and software introduction.
Memory Testing - The first test that you need to run is called Memtest86+. It is an advanced memory diagnostic that will attempt to determine if you have a faulty memory module in your system. When you select to boot Memtest86+, the program will automatically load and begin running a series of tests. Let Memtest86+ run for at least an hour (or about 10 passes).
- If there were any errors (red entries in the center of the screen), you have faulty memory module in your system (or in the worst case, a bad memory controller). Power the system down and remove all of the memory from the computer. Put one ram stick in the computer and attempt to run the diagnostic test again. If there are no errors, test the next stick. If you do not find any errors on any of your sticks of ram, there are two possibilities for what might be happening. One, the stick of ram was loose somehow and that was causing the errors, reseating the ram would have fixed that issue. Two, you did not run the tests on each memory module long enough to detect the issue, or you have a bad configuration of ram where two or more sticks are not compatible with each other.
- If there were no errors, go to the Hard disk testing subsection.
Hard disk testing - Hard disk are prone to mechanical and electrical failures that may masquerade as other types of problems. It is always a good thing to test your hard disk when you are experiencing random crashes or slowness. Load up the UBCD and run the Hitachi Drive Fitness test. I know you might be thinking, "I don't have a Hitachi drive!?" and while that may be true, the Drive Fitness Test or DFT is one of the most stable and trustworthy of the hard drive utilities out there. I suggest running dft first. Next, run the manufacturer's tool. If the results match up, you know exactly what is going on.
- Load DFT and go through the options. Select your drive from the menu (if your drive does not appear in the menu, it is either because DFT lacks a driver for it, or your drive is faulty to the point where it no longer powers up.)
- If your drive is faulty to the point where it does not show up in DFT, I would suggest that you take the drive to a local repair shop to have it tested there. If they say that the drive has failed, and you would like to get your data off of the drive, I recommend http://www.darepc.com as a good source of data recovery. The prices are fair and the service is good. You can also try contacting On track data recovery services, but they are on the expensive side. Avoid using third-party providers because they basically resell On track services with additional margins.
- Run the advanced test and be prepared to wait at least an hour for the test to complete.
- If your drive passes, then you can be assured that the mechanics of the disk are probably okay. You should also run the manufacturers test at this point just to verify that DFT did not make a mistake.
- If the DFT failed the drive, you may still be able to get your data off of the drive. Be warned that everything you do to a failing drive may cause it to fail more and lose more data. If you are at all unsure what you are doing in recovering data from a failing drive, leave it to the experts and contact a recovery service. If the drive failed, you must replace it with a new one.
- If it passed DFT and the Manufacturer's test, then you can rest assured that the drive's mechanics and surfaces are fine.
Proceed to next section: 4. Software Diagnostics