PC Diagnostics, Testing, and Maintenance 

PC Diagnostics

No matter how well built your PC is and how well written its software, problems can occur.Diagnostic software can help troubleshoot problems when your computer malfunctions or you suspectproblems with an upgraded component or an entirely new system built from scratch. This chapterexamines several types of diagnostic software, including the built-in POST (power-on self test) aswell as commercial and open-source diagnostic software.You also might find that your system problems are caused by a hardware malfunction and that youmust open the computer case to perform repairs. This chapter examines the tools and testers used toupgrade and repair PCs—both the basic items every user should own and some of the more advanceddevices.Of course, the best way to deal with a problem is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Thepreventive maintenance sections of this chapter describe the procedures you should perform on aregular basis to keep your system in good working order.