Computer on the fritz? Diagnostic tools every PC owner should know about

September 10, 2022

By Kim Komando

When you buy a brand new computer, it’s like Christmas morning. That sparkly, shiny new machine runs lightning-fast and puts the latest technology at your fingertips.

Everything is grand until it ages a few years and suddenly starts acting up. But don’t give up hope. There might be a simple solution. You just need to find it.

If your computer isn’t working as you want it to, here are three diagnostic tools every PC owner should know about, brought to you by our sponsor, Dell.

Keep an eye on your hardware

If you want to see the big picture, HWiNFO is for you. When you download HWiNFO onto your computer, it keeps an eye out and automatically reports any issues. The tool is entirely free, which is always a nice bonus.

What makes HWiNFO different is that it monitors only your hardware, not your programs. Think CPU and hard drive. It currently works with Windows Vista and above.

It gathers details from different parts of your computer and summarizes what is happening. It also includes network information, including driver details and the MAC address, which identifies the physical address of a computer and the devices on the network.

You can download HWiNFO here.

View crash and error reports

If you have Windows 10, you can quickly check your computer’s recent crashes and error reports through Event Viewer. Here’s how:

• Type Event Viewer into the search box in the lower-left corner of your Windows PC.
• Tap Event Viewer to open the app.
• Select Windows Logs on the left side of the window.
• Tap System > Open.
• If you see any errors under the Number of events section, click on them for an error description.

Follow these steps to see what crashes and errors are occurring and why. If you want a solution to the issues, you can check for an answer next to the errors.

Your Wi-Fi is terrible

Since the internet rules the world, having a bad connection can destroy your day. So, what do you do if you have terrible Wi-Fi and want to fix it?

First, run a speed test. This will tell you if it is your connection acting up or if you have another issue. A speed test is free, and you can try one by tapping or clicking here.

After running a speed test, you can use a diagnostic tool to analyze your Wi-Fi. An analyzer will take a look at your current Wi-Fi connection and see what the actual issues are so you can fix them. Tap or click here for a selection of helpful Wi-Fi analyzer apps.

Is Wi-Fi still not working? The site you are trying to access might be down. You can double-check any website at Downdetector. It might be the webpage and not your Wi-Fi, after all. Tap or click here to see how it works.

Run a small business? Dell is here to help

When you run a business, finding the right tech is vital. You don’t want to waste money on tools that won’t get the job done. Don’t just guess and hope it all works out.

The pros at Dell Small Business can help. Chat, call or email an advisor and get free, helpful advice to help you find the right solutions. That’s right. It really is free. You don’t have to buy a thing. You can get smart, reliable help to choose the right tools for your company.

Ready to get started? Call a Dell Technologies Advisor to help you find the right tech for your business needs at 877-ASK-DELL or Dell.com.