Purpose

Use this checklist to determine whether the BIOS has detected your hard drive, and to troubleshoot situations where it has not.

Typical Symptoms

After the Gateway/eMachines splash screen:

• PXE Boot screen
• Error messages:
• No bootable device -- insert boot disk and press any key
• DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER
• Hard drive not found
• Missing hard drive
• Computer tries to load operating system from DVD/CD, diskette, or USB drive
• Blinking cursor on a blank screen (after the splash screen)
• Random text characters displayed (after the splash screen)

Notes

• Only "Hard Drive not found" or "Missing hard drive" error messages conclusively indicate a hard drive has not been detected. Other symptoms could be a result of bad hard drive data or BIOS boot order settings.
• Use proper Electrostatic Discharge procedures
• Drive jumper settings are not applicable to SATA (Serial ATA) drives.

Disconnect external devices

Remove external devices and removable storage media.

1. Start the computer.
2. Eject/remove all media inserted into Zip drives, floppy drives, CD/DVD drives, card readers, etc.
3. Power off the computer.
4. Disconnect all external devices except the monitor.
Note: Include the keyboard, mouse, printers, anything connected to the USB ports, anything externally connected to the expansion card ports (except the monitor), speakers, microphones, etc.
5. Plug the power cord into the computer and press the power button.
6. Check the front panel LEDs (lights) found on the front face of the computer, on optical drives, and listen for the power supply fan.
7. If LEDs are on or the power supply fan starts spinning, watch for a boot screen on the monitor.
8. If computer begins to start, turn off the computer.
9. Reconnect each device one at a time, beginning with keyboard and mouse.
   Note: Make sure to power the computer on and off when reconnecting each device.
10. If computer fails to start after a device is reconnected, this device may be causing the issue. Refer to the manufacturer of that device for assistance.

Ejecting Removable Media: The computer may boot or attempt to start using this media. Depending upon the state of the media and the drives in which they are inserted you may observe undesirable behavior that may seem to suggest more serious computer problems.
Disconnecting External Devices: If the computer appears to start normally, one of the devices previously plugged into the computer may have been preventing the system from starting properly.

Check RAID configuration

If your computer has a RAID configuration:

1. Check RAID BIOS.
1. If status is listed as Normal in the RAID Volumes section, there is not a RAID issue.
2. If you are unable to enter RAID BIOS or a RAID volume is not listed in RAID Volumes section, a RAID volume has not been configured.
2. Check the list of drives and RAID types. If the required number of drives for your RAID type, plus any non-RAID drive(s) included in configuration are not listed, continue with this checklist.
• RAID 0: at least two drives must be detected
• RAID 1: at least two drives must be detected
• RAID 5: at least three drives must be detected
3. If status is not listed as Normal, refer to appropriate checklist for the RAID configuration:
• How do I troubleshoot a RAID0 volume?
• How do I troubleshoot a RAID1 volume?
• How do I troubleshoot a RAID5 volume?

This checklist is only applicable to RAID when BIOS has not detected one or more of the required RAID volume drives. Unlike system BIOS, RAID BIOS, if accessible, will present a clear indication of the hard drives that have been detected. RAID BIOS will also present the status of any configured RAID volumes.

Check hard drive settings in BIOS

To check BIOS settings:

1. Start the computer.
2. Press the F2 or F1 key repeatedly until BIOS Setup Utility Main page is displayed.
   Note: A message is displayed on the screen as to which key should be pressed.
3. Make sure that the ATA/IDE Mode (or similar setting) is set to Enhanced or Native, not Legacy.
4. If the computer has RAID, make sure that RAID is Enabled.
   Note: The RAID enable option may be included under either Configure SATA or RAID settings.
5. Check the Drive Configuration (or similarly named) page, or the Standard CMOS Features page to make sure all hard drives are detected.
   
   • If all hard drives are listed, exit the BIOS.
   • If all hard drives are not listed, continue troubleshooting.
   Note: If a drive name contains odd characters, size appears to be incorrect, and cannot web browse the product name, assume the drive, cable, or port connection is defective. There may have been a read failure associated with one of those components.
6. If the configuration has more than one hard drive:
   
   • Note the port name for each detected hard drive. This information is required to troubleshoot undetected hard drives connected to other ports.
   • Note the name of the first hard drive listed. In a non-RAID configuration, this drive should be the drive from which operating system starts.

The Drive Configuration page (or similarly named page) provides a list of all detected serial ATA (SATA) and Parallel ATA (PATA) devices that have been detected. If this page identifies all installed hard drives, Desktop Hard Drive not detected is not the proper checklist.

Use Disk Management

Use Disk Management in Windows XP to perform disk-related tasks, such as format, change drive letters, convert to a dynamic disk, delete a volume, create a new volume, color code the disk detail pane, and for adding a second hard drive.
Refer tot MS Knowledge Base article:
How to use Disk Management to configure basic disks in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309000 for additional information.

Inspect and reseat cables

Use proper Electrostatic Discharge procedures.

1. Turn off the computer and unplug the power cord.
2. Disconnect everything except the monitor and keyboard.
3. Place the computer on a stable work area with the case cover facing up.
4. Remove the cover.
5. Find the internal drives.
6. Inspect and reseat any cables connected to the drives not detected.
   
   • Check for broken connectors on the hard drive, motherboard, and drive cables.
   • Check for bent or broken pins on the hard drive, motherboard, and drive cables.
   • Check cable orientation.
   • Try a different cable, if possible. If the hard drive works with the new cable, the original cable is probably defective. Contact Gateway to get a replacement cable.
Note: Make sure to firmly reseat the data cable connections to the hard drive and motherboard, then the power connection to drive. If the connectors do not firmly reconnect, the damaged component (cable, drive, or motherboard) may need to be replaced. Contact Gateway to get a replacement component.

The drive cables may have become loose if the desktop had been moved or during the shipping process. Reseating the cables ensure that they are properly connected to both the drives and to the drive connectors on the motherboard.

Test the hard disk drives in another computer

If available, test the hard drive(s) in another computer.
Testing the hard drive in a different computer eliminates other issues and isolates the issue to the hard drive.
Hiren’s BootCD 10.2 Keyboard Patch

All in one Dos Bootable CD which has all these utilities:
Antivirus Tools
- Dr.Web CureIt! Antivirus (2302): a free standalone anti-virus and anti-spyware on-demand scanner.
- Spybot – Search & Destroy 1.6.2 (2302): Application to scan for spyware, adware, hijackers and other malicious software.
- SuperAntispyware 4.34 (2302): Remove Malware, Rootkits, Spyware, Adware, Worms, Parasites (a must have tool).
- Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware 1.44 (2302): anti-malware application that can thoroughly remove even the most advanced malware.
- SpywareBlaster 4.2 (2302): Prevent the installation of spyware and other potentially unwanted software.
- SmitFraudFix 2.424: This removes Some of the popular Desktop Hijack malware.
- ComboFix (2302): Designed to cleanup malware infections and restore settings modified by malware.
- CWShredder 2.19: Popular CoolWebSearch Trojan Remover tool.
- RootkitRevealer 1.7.1: Rootkit Revealer is an advanced patent-pending root kit detection utility.
Backup Tools
- DriveImageXML 2.13: backup any drive/partition to an image file, even if the drive is currently in use.
- GImageX 2.0.17: ImageX is used to backup/restore WIM images for Windows XP/Vista and Windows 7.
- Double Driver 3.0: Driver Backup and Restore tool.
- DriverBackup! 1.0.3: Another handy tool to backup drivers.
- InfraRecorder 0.50: An Open source CD/DVD burning software, also create/burn .iso images.
- FastCopy 1.99r4: The Fastest Copy/Delete Software on Windows.
- Smart Driver Backup 2.12: Easy backup of your Windows device drivers (also works from PE).
- RegBak 1.0: a light-weight and simple utility to create backups of Windows registry files.
- WhitSoft File Splitter 4.5a: a Small File Split-Join Tool.
- Partition Saving 3.80: A tool to backup/restore partitions. (SavePart.exe).
- COPYR.DMA Build013: A Tool for making copies of hard disks with bad sectors.
- Drive SnapShot 1.39: creates an exact Disk Image of your system into a file while windows is running.
- Norton Ghost 11.5.1: Similar to Drive Image (with usb/scsi support).
- Ghost Image Explorer 11.5.1: to add/remove/extract files from Ghost image file.
- DriveImage Explorer 5.0: to add/remove/extract files from Drive image file.
- ImageCenter 5.6 (Drive Image 2002): Best software to clone hard drive.
- Acronis True Image 8.1.945: Create an exact disk image for complete system backup and disk cloning.
BIOS / CMOS Tools
- DISKMAN4: a powerful all in one utility.
- Award DMI Configuration Utility 2.43: DMI Configuration utility for modifying/viewing the MIDF contents.
- !BIOS 3.20: a powerfull utility for bios and cmos.
- BIOS Cracker 5.0: BIOS password remover (cmospwd).
- BIOS Utility 1.35.0: BIOS Informations, password, beep codes and more.
- CMOS 0.93: CMOS Save / Restore Tool.
- Kill CMOS: a tiny utility to wipe cmos.
- UniFlash 1.40: bios flash utility.
Browsers / File Managers
- 7-Zip 9.10b: File Manager/Archiver Supports 7z, ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2, TAR, RAR, CAB, ISO, ARJ, LZH, CHM, MSI, WIM, Z, CPIO, RPM, DEB and NSIS formats.
- Explore2fs 1.08b: GUI explorer tool for accessing linux ext2 and ext3 filesystems under windows.
- Opera Web Browser 8.54: One of the fastest, smallest and smartest full-featured web browser.
- Volkov Commander 4.99: Dos File Manager with LongFileName/ntfs support (Similar to Norton Commander).
- Dos Command Center 5.1: Classic dos-based file manager.
- File Wizard 1.35: a file manager – colored files, drag and drop copy, move, delete etc.
- File Maven 3.5: an advanced Dos file manager with high speed PC-to-PC file transfers via serial or parallel cable.
- FastLynx 2.0: Dos file manager with Pc to Pc file transfer capability.
- Dos Navigator 6.4.0: Dos File Manager, Norton Commander clone but has much more features.
- Mini Windows 98: Can run from Ram Drive, with ntfs support, 7-Zip, Disk Defragmenter, Notepad / RichText Editor, Image Viewer, .avi .mpg .divx .xvid Movie Player, etc…
- Mini Windows Xp: Portable Windows Xp that runs from CD/USB/Ram Drive, with Network and SATA support.
Cleaners
- CCleaner 2.28: Crap Cleaner is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool.
- SpaceMonger 1.4: keeping track of the free space on your computer.
- WinDirStat 1.1.2.80: a disk usage statistics viewer and cleanup tool for Windows.
Hard Disk Tools
- HDD Scan 3.2: HDDScan is a Low-level HDD diagnostic tool, it scans surface find bad sectors etc.
- HDTune 2.55: Hard disk benchmarking and information tool.
- Data Shredder 1.0: A tool to Erase disk and files (also wipe free space) securely.
- SeaTools for Dos: GUI 2.17 Text 1.10 versions to test Seagate or Maxtor Parallel ATA (PATA and IDE) and Serial ATA (SATA) interface disc drives.
- Western Digital Data Lifeguard Tools 11.2: for the installation of Western Digital EIDE Hard Drives.
- Western Digital Diagnostics (DLGDIAG) 5.04f: to quickly and efficiently verify the status of the drive.
- Maxtor PowerMax 4.23: designed to perform diagnostic read/write verifications on Maxtor/Quantum hard drives.
- Maxtor amset utility 4.0: Utility for changing Acoustic Management on the hard drives.
- Fujitsu HDD Diagnostic Tool 7.00: to check IDE drives for possible defects/problems.
- Samsung HDD Utility(HUTIL) 2.10: The Drive Diagnostic Utility.
- Samsung Disk Diagnose (SHDIAG) 1.28: to diagnose the disk when suspected to have failures.
- Samsung ESTOOL 3.00g: Drive Diagnostic, Automatic Acoustic Management, Enable/Disable SMART etc.
- IBM Hitachi Drive Fitness Test 4.16: quickly and reliably tests SCSI, IDE and SATA drives.
- IBM Hitachi Feature Tool 2.15: allows you to control some of the features of the the HDD.
- Gateway GwScan 5.12: Gateway hard drive diagnostic utility.
- ExcelStor’s ESTest 4.50: ExcelStor hard disk diagnostic utility.
- Toshiba Hard Disk Diagnostic 2.00b: Toshiba hard drive diagnostic utility.
- Hard Disk Sentinel 0.04: Hard Disk health, performance and temperature monitoring tool.
- Active Kill Disk 4.1.2393: Securely overwrites and destroys all data on physical drive.
- SmartUDM 2.00: Hard Disk Drive S.M.A.R.T. Viewer.
- Fujitsu IDE Low Level Format 1.0: Low Level Format Tool.
- Maxtor Low Level Formatter 1.1: Maxtor’s Low Level Format Utility works on any harddrive.
- WDClear 1.30: Restore/Erases the drive back to a factory condition.
- HDD Erase 4.0: Secure erase using a special feature built into most newer hard drives.
- Victoria 3.33e and 3.52rus: a freeware program for low-level HDD diagnostics.
- HDAT2 4.53: main function is testing and repair (regenerates) bad sectors for detected devices.
- MHDD 4.6: Precise diagnostic of the mechanical part of a drive, perform Low-level format, Bad Sector Sepair, access raw sectors, manage S.M.A.R.T. (SMART) and other drive parameters such as acoustic management, security, Host Protected Area, etc.
- Darik’s Boot and Nuke (DBAN) 1.0.7: Completely deletes the contents of any hard disk it can detect.
- HDD Regenerator 1.71: to recover a bad hard drive.
MBR (Master Boot Record) Tools
- Grub4Dos installer 1.1: an universal boot loader GRUB for DOS installer.
- MBRWizard 2.0b: Directly update and modify the MBR (Master Boot Record).
- MbrFix 1.3: To backup, restore, fix the boot code in the MBR.
- MBR Utility 1.05: to manipulate a drive’s master boot record (MBR) via the command line.
- DiskMan 4.2: all in one tool for cmos, bios, bootrecord and more.
- MBRWork 1.08: a utility to perform some common and uncommon MBR functions.
- MBRTool 2.3.200: backup, verify, restore, edit, refresh, remove, display, re-write…
- BootFix Utility: Run this utility if you get ‘Invalid system disk’.
- MBR SAVE / RESTORE 2.1: BootSave and BootRest tools to save / restore MBR.
- Boot Partition 2.60: add Partition in the Windows NT/2000/XP Multi-boot loader.
- Smart Boot Manager 3.7.1: a multi boot manager.
MultiMedia Tools
- Picture Viewer 1.94: Picture viewer for dos, supports more then 40 filetypes.
- QuickView Pro 2.58: movie viewer for dos, supports many format including divx.
- MpxPlay 1.56: a small Music Player for dos.
Ms Dos Tools
- USB CD-Rom Driver 1: Standard usb_cd.sys driver for cd drive.
- Universal USB Driver 2: Panasonic v2.20 ASPI Manager for USB mass storage.
- ASUSTeK USB Driver 3: ASUS USB CD-ROM Device Driver Version 1.00.
- SCSI Support: SCSI Drivers for Dos.
- SATA Support: SATA Driver (gcdrom.sys) and JMicron JMB361 (xcdrom.sys) for Dos.
- 1394 Firewire Support: 1394 Firewire Drivers for Dos.
- Interlnk support at COM1/LPT1: To access another computer from COM/LPT port.
Dos tools
extract.exe pkzip.exe pkunzip.exe lha.exe gzip.exe uharcd.exe imgExtrc.exe xcopy.exe diskcopy.com mouse.com undelete.com edit.com fdisk.exe fdisk2.exe fdisk3.exe lf.exe delpart.exe wipe.com zap.com format.com deltree.exe more.com find.exe hex.exe debug.exe split.exe mem.exe attrib.com sys.com smartdrv.exe xmsdsk.exe killer.exe share.exe scandisk.exe scanreg.exe guest.exe doskey.exe duse.exe move.exe setver.exe intersvr.exe interlnk.exe loadlin.exe lfndos.exe doslfn.com
Network Tools
- Angry IP Scanner 2.21: Scan IP addresses in any range as well as any their ports.
- CurrPorts 1.80: displays the list of all currently opened TCP and UDP ports on your computer.
- TCPView 2.54: Lists TCP and UDP endpoints, including the Local/Remote addresses of TCP connections.
- Winsock 2 Fix for 9x: to fix corrupted Winsock2 information by poorly written Internet programs.
- XP TCP/IP Repair 1.0: Repair your Windows XP Winsock and TCP/IP registry errors.
NTFS (FileSystems) Tools
- NTFS4Dos 1.9: To access ntfs partitions from Dos.
- NTFS Dos 3.02: To access ntfs partitions from Dos.
- EditBINI 1.01: to Edit boot.ini on NTFS Partition.
- NTFS Dos Pro 5.0: To access ntfs partitions from Dos.
- Paragon Mount Everything 3.0: To access NTFS, Ext2FS, Ext3FS partitions from dos.
Optimizers
- Defragger 3.9a: Single-file-defrag, Partition-Backup/Restore, Safe Data-Erase, Clusterviewer.
- JkDefrag 3.36: Free disk defragment and optimize utility for Windows 2000/2003/XP/Vista/Windows 7.
- NT Registry Optimizer 1.1j: Registry Optimization for Windows NT/2000/2003/XP/Vista.
- PageDfrg 2.32: System file Defragmenter For NT/2k/XP.
Other Tools
- EasyUHA 1.0: GUI Tool to create and extract UHA Archives.
- FileDisk Mount Tool 25: to mount ISO/BIN/NRG/MDF/IMA images on windows.
- HxD 1.7.7.0: Hex Editor provides tools to inspect and edit files, main memory, disks/disk images.
- NewSID 4.10: utility that changes the security ID (SID) for Windows NT, 2000 and XP.
- NTFS Access 2.1: Set NTFS permissions recursively and full access rights to a folder/file owner.
- Streams 1.56: Reveal/Delete NTFS alternate data streams.
- TightVNC 1.3.10: Cross-platform Remote Desktop Software to view/control remote pc with mouse and keyboard.
- Virtual Floppy Drive 2.1: enables you to create and mount a virtual floppy drive on your NT/2000/XP/Vista.
- DosCDroast beta 2: Dos CD Burning Tools.
- Universal TCP/IP Network 6.4: MSDOS Network Client to connect via TCP/IP to a Microsoft based network. The network can either be a peer-to-peer or a server based network, it contains 91 different network card drivers.
- Ghost Walker 11.5.1: utility that changes the security ID (SID) for Windows NT, 2000 and XP.
Partition Tools
- Partition Wizard Home Edition 4.2.2: Free Partition Magic Alternative, Partition Resize/Move/Copy/Create/Delete/Format/Convert, Explore, etc.
- USB Format Tool: Format/make bootable any USB flash drive to FAT, FAT32, or NTFS partition.
- Fat32 Formatter GUI 1.01: Windows XP cannot format a volume bigger than 32GB with FAT32.
- Ranish Partition Manager 2.44: a boot manager and hard disk partitioner.
- The Partition Resizer 1.3.4: move and resize your partitions in one step and more.
- Smart Fdisk 2.05: a simple harddisk partition manager.
- SPecial Fdisk 2000.03v: SPFDISK a partition tool.
- eXtended Fdisk 0.9.3: XFDISK allows easy partition creation and edition.
- Super Fdisk 1.0: Create, delete, format partitions drives without destroying data.
- Partition Table Editor 8.0: Partition Table and Boot Record Editor.
- Partition Magic Pro 8.05: Best software to partition hard drive.
- Acronis Disk Director 10.0.2160: Popular disk management functions in a single suite.
- Paragon Partition Manager 7.0.1274: Universal tool for partitions.
- Partition Commander 9.01: The safe way to partition your hard drive,with undo feature.
- GDisk 1.1.1: Complete replacement for the DOS FDISK utility and more.
Password Tools
- TrueCrypt 6.3a: On-the-fly disk encryption tool, can create a virtual encrypted disk within a file and mount it as a real disk, can also encrypt an entire HDD/Partition/USB Drive.
- Content Advisor Password Remover 1.01: It Removes Content Advisor Password from Internet Explorer.
- Password Renew 1.1: Utility to (re)set windows passwords.
- WindowsGate 1.1: Enables/Disables Windows logon password validation.
- WinKeyFinder 1.73: Allows you to View and Change Windows XP/2003 Product Keys, backup and restore activation related files, backup Microsoft Office 97, 2000 SP2, XP/2003 keys etc.
- XP Key Reader 2.7: Can decode the XP-key on Local or Remote systems.
- ProduKey 1.40: Recovers lost the product key of your Windows/Office.
- WirelessKeyView 1.33: Recovers all wireless network keys (WEP/WPA) stored in your computer by WZC.
- MessenPass 1.30: A password recovery tool that reveals the passwords of several instant messangers.
- Mail PassView 1.55: Recovers mail passwords of Outlook Express, MS Outlook, IncrediMail, Eudora, etc.
- Asterisk Logger 1.04: Reveal passwords hidden behind asterisk characters.
- Offline NT Password Changer 080526: utility to reset/unlock windows NT/2000/XP/Vista/7 administrator/user password.
- NTPWD: utility to reset windows nt/2000/xp administrator/user password.
- ATAPWD 1.2: Hard Disk Password Utility.
- Active Password Changer 3.0.420: To Reset User Password on windows NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista (FAT/NTFS).
Process Tools
- Dependency Walker 2.2: Checks for missing/invalid DLL/modules/functions for any exe/dll/ocx/sys.
- IB Process Manager 1.04: a little process manager for 9x/2k, shows dll info etc.
- Process Explorer 11.33: shows you information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded.
- OpenedFilesView 1.46: View opened/locked files in your system, sharing violation issues.
- Pocket KillBox 2.0.0.978: can be used to get rid of files that stubbornly refuse to allow you to delete them.
- ProcessActivityView 1.10: Detailed process access information read/write/opened files etc.
- Unlocker 1.8.8: This tool can delete file/folder when you get this message – Cannot delete file: Access is denied, The file is in use by another program etc.
RAM (Memory) Testing Tools
- Video Memory Stress Test 1.7.116 a tool to thoroughly test your video RAM for errors and faults.
- Windows Memory Diagnostic a RAM Test tool.
- MemTest 1.0: a Memory Testing Tool.
- Memtest86 4.00: PC Memory Test.
Recovery Tools
- Recuva 1.35: Restore deleted files from Hard Drive, Digital Camera Memory Card, usb mp3 player…
- Partition Find and Mount 2.3.1: Partition Find and Mount software is designed to find lost or deleted partitions.
- Restoration 3.2.13: a tool to recover deleted files.
- Unstoppable Copier 4.4: Allows you to copy files from disks with problems such as bad sectors, scratches or that just give errors when reading data.
- TestDisk 6.11.3: Tool to check and undelete partition from Dos/Windows.
- PhotoRec 6.11.3: Tool to Recover File and pictures from Dos/Windows.
- Active Undelete 5.5: a tool to recover deleted files.
- GetDataBack for FAT/NTFS 4.0: Data recovery software for FAT/NTFS file systems.
- Active Partition Recovery 3.0: To Recover a Deleted partition.
- Active Uneraser 3.0: To recover deleted files and folders on FAT and NTFS systems.
- Ontrack Easy Recovery Pro 6.10: To Recover data that has been deleted/virus attack.
- DiyDataRecovery Diskpatch 2.1.100: An excellent data recovery software.
- Prosoft Media Tools 5.0 v1.1.2.64: Another excellent data recovery software with many other options.
Registry Tools
- RegScanner 1.80: Tool to find/search in the Registry of Windows.
- Registry Editor PE 0.9c: Easy editing of remote registry hives and user profiles.
- Registry Restore Wizard 1.0.4: Restores a corrupted system registry from Xp System Restore.
- Fix HDC: Fix the Hard Drive Controller when replacing your motherboard on an XP system.
- Registry Reanimator 1.02: Check and Restore structure of the Damaged Registry files of NT/2K/XP.
- Registry Viewer 4.2: Registry Viewer/Editor for Win9x/Me/NT/2K/XP.
Startup Tools
- Autoruns 9.57: Displays All the entries from startup folder, Run, RunOnce, and other Registry keys, Explorer shell extensions, toolbars, browser helper objects, Winlogon notifications, auto-start services, Scheduled Tasks, Winsock, LSA Providers, Remove Drivers and much more which helps to remove nasty spyware/adware and viruses.
- Silent Runners Revision 60: A free script that helps detect spyware, malware and adware in the startup process.
- Startup Control Panel 2.8: a tool to edit startup programs.
- Startup Monitor 1.02: it notifies you when any program registers itself to run at system startup.
- HijackThis 2.0.3b: a general homepage hijackers detector and remover and more.
System Information Tools
- PCI and AGP info Tool (2302): The PCI System information & Exploration tool.
- System Analyser 5.3w: View extensive information about your hardware.
- Navratil: Software System Information 0.60.38 High-end professional system information tool.
- Astra 5.45: Advanced System info Tool and Reporting Assistant.
- HWiNFO 5.3.5: a powerful system information utility.
- SysChk 2.46: Find out exactly what is under the hood of your PC.
- CPU Identification utility 1.18: Detailed information on CPU (CHKCPU.EXE).
- CTIA CPU Information 2.7: another CPU information tool.
- BlueScreenView 1.20: Scans minidump files for BSOD (blue screen of death) crash information.
- Drive Temperature 1.0: Hard Disk Drive temperature meter.
- PC Wizard 2010.1.93: Powerful system information/benchmark utility designed especially for detection of hardware.
- SIW 2010-02-10: Gathers detailed information about your system properties and settings.
- CPU-Z 1.53: It gathers information on some of the main devices of your system.
- GPU-Z 0.3.9: A lightweight utility designed to give you all information about your video card and GPU.
- PCI 32 Sniffer 1.4 (2302): device information tool (similar to unknown devices).
- UnknownDevices 1.4.20 (2302): helps you find what those unknown devices in Device Manager really are.
- USBDeview 1.56: View/Uninstall all installed/connected USB devices on your system.
Testing Tools
- Disk Speed 1.0: Hard Disk Drive Speed Testing Tool.
- S&M Stress Test 1.9.1: cpu/hdd/memory benchmarking and information tool, including temperatures/fan speeds/voltages.
- IsMyLcdOK (Monitor Test) 1.02: Allows you to test CRT/LCD/TFT screens for dead pixels and diffective screens.
- System Speed Test 4.78: it tests CPU, harddrive, etc.
- CPU/Video/Disk Performance Test 5.7: a tool to test cpu, video, and disk.
- Test Hard Disk Drive 1.0: a tool to test Hard Disk Drive.
- PC-Check 6.21: Easy to use hardware tests.
- Ontrack Data Advisor 5.0: Powerful diagnostic tool for assessing the condition of your computer.
- The Troubleshooter 7.02: all kind of hardware testing tool.
Tweakers
- Dial a Fix 0.60.0.24: Fix errors and problems with COM/ActiveX object errors and missing registry entries, Automatic Updates, SSL, HTTPS, and Cryptography service (signing/verification) issues, Reinstall internet explorer etc. comes with the policy scanner.
- Ultimate Windows Tweaker 2.1: A TweakUI Utility for tweaking and optimizing Windows Vista.
- TweakUI 2.10: This PowerToy gives you access to system settings that are not exposed in the Windows Xp.
- Xp-AntiSpy 3.97.9: it tweaks some Windows XP functions, and disables some unneeded Windows services quickly.
- Shell Extensions Manager (ShellExView) 1.45: An excellent tool to View and Manage all installed Context-menu/Shell extensions.
- EzPcFix 1.0.0.16: Helpful tool when trying to remove viruses, spyware, and malware.
- RemoveWGA 1.2: Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications Removal tool.
- RRT – Remove Restrictions Tool 3.0: To Re-enable Ctrl Alt Del, Folder Options and Registry tools etc.