Maximum PC

Hi all,

So I was wondering if anyone knew good software for checking drivers, updating drivers, checking RAM, overall system diagnostic type software?

The reason is because my computer keeps having issues but they are varied with no pattern and so I'm assuming its probably a driver issue or hardware issue.

The errors range from BSOD's to random shutdowns to critical errors in the event viewer etc.

Thanks for any suggestions guys and MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YA'll Enjoy being with the families.

Merry Christmas to you and yours as well!

First off, never use any driver software updater! That crapware just don't work.

To update the software drivers just check at your motherboards driver site once every six months and take the latest driver from each category and download it, uninstall the old river and install the new driver for each category. Then do the same for your Video Driver, only this time it is a little more complicated to do.

Download the Driver, then download Ccleaner and install Ccleaner only (the free version of course!).

Shut off the anti-virus you use as it will interfere with the uninstall/install of the driver.

Uninstall the video driver and say no to reboot for now.

Find and delete the video driver folder, then empty the recycle bin.

Run the "registry section" of Ccleaner, now reboot the machine.

Cancel both popups

Shut off the anti-virus.

Install your shinny new video driver and reboot as required.

Your system should be running real snappy now.....well after you do a Defrag of the hard drive anyway.

Nasty

Automatic tools aren't exactly worthwhile. Ones that I've seen look like they're in to sucker non-savvy people into plopping down cash for something they can do themselves. Windows however, may also do updates for you, but from what I've heard, Microsoft tends to be late on the curve with it.

If you have a computer from an OEM like Dell, HP, etc., go to their website for drivers. If you built your own or had something custom built, then download Speccy. It'll give you a list of all the hardware in your computer. The only drivers you need to worry about are the motherboard and graphics cards. If you have other hardware that isn't on the motherboard, then you should see about getting drivers for those.

Checking RAM requires a little more work. You'll need a thumb stick that you can wipe, then get Memtest (use the auto installer). Then after you get that set up, turn off the computer and leave only one stick of RAM in the computer, then turn it on and boot to your thumb disk. Let Memtest run for several iterations of its tests... usually takes about an hour or so for 4GB modules. If the memory stick is error-free, go to the next one. If you have a ton of errors, your memory should be suspect.

And you can look up the bug check code in the event viewer as well.