Microsoft Windows has come a long way in terms of stability since the Windows 3.0 days. But like every other operating system, Windows still has its problems and can become unstable. There are many causes of instability and determining the exact problem of your installation can be challenging. A number of diagnostic tools are designed to diagnose the causes of system instability.
Malware Scan
Windows, no matter what version of it you are using, is prone to viruses and other types of malware infections. Thus, the first diagnostic tool that you should run if you are experiencing stability or performance issues is a good anti-malware tool. There are a number of tools available, but some common ones come from McAfee, Norton, and ZoneAlarm.
MemTest 86
MemTest 86 has become a cross-platform standard for hardware diagnostics. In fact, it is bundled with Windows, Mac OS X, and most derivatives of Unix. MemTest 86, or MemTest, as it is usually refereed to is, is a simple test that will inspect your RAM to diagnose any memory issues. This is a good primary test to run, since most hardware-related problems tend to involve defective or dying RAM; RAM can decay over time. This test is usually run outside of the operating system off of its installation disc, but it is also available as a free download, if you cannot find your install disc or would prefer to have a separate copy.
Windows Sysinternals
Windows Sysinternals is a a collection of tools for Windows that are provided by Microsoft. You pretty much find a diagnostic utility for any aspect of your system, so you should not have to venture much further than its website. You can access these tools by opening a Web browser and navigating to the Windows Sysinternals website. These tools are free of charge.
Tags: Windows Sysinternals, MemTest MemTest, operating system
