5 best diagnostic tools for your PC
We all know that PCs sometimes run into glitches and quirks. Even brand new computers can have their share of problems. When they do, we want to fix them as quickly as possible.
Thankfully, there are hundreds of diagnostic tools out there to help you address just about any problem you could be having with your Windows computer. If your computer is on the fritz, a diagnostic tool might be the solution you need. We’ve rounded up five of the best diagnostic tools for your PC.
If you are worried about the safety of your devices, tap or click here to check out our pick for antivirus software.
1. Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool
If you aren’t a fan of third-party apps, you’re in luck. Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool is built directly into the operating system, so you won’t have to download anything extra.
What does it do? It scans your RAM to see if they have errors. Once it finds the error, it will tell you where it is so you can fix it. It’s relatively simple to run:
- Hold down the Win + R keys to open the Run dialogue box.
- Type mdsched.exe.
- Press Enter.
- The program will ask to restart your computer now to check for problems. Make sure to have all work saved before clicking on this option.
2. WiFi Analyzer
Ever struggle with sluggish internet? Slow Wi-fi can cause problems, so if your Wi-Fi isn’t meeting your expectations, try using the free Wi-Fi Analyzer tool.
The tool analyzes your network to see if it’s working efficiently or needs to be altered or moved in some way. Once it runs its diagnostics, it will tell you your best options to get a better Wi-Fi signal.
This Chrome change makes it easier to tell which sites can access your webcam and mic
If you want the most up-to-date security and privacy features, you should check out Chrome’s latest and greatest update. Google Chrome 92 just hit the scene. It introduced fixes for some pretty severe security flaws.
4 reasons to upgrade your old PC or Mac - even if it still works
We use computers for everything from checking email, work, school stuff and more. But as your computer ages, it gets more difficult to install new programs and operating system updates. Tap or click here to see how Microsoft ending support for Windows 7 is impacted users.
Sick of slow internet? How to check you’re getting what you pay for
We all know the pain of “slow” internet: videos buffer, downloads take ages, and a single page can take forever to load. We wonder whether it’s our browser, our device, or the website we’re visiting.
It could be your Wi-Fi signal. Wireless networks are notorious for connection problems. Tap or click for ways to boost your Wi-Fi coverage for good, including changing the router’s channel, which hardly anyone does.
Speed up your slow Android phone with this one trick
Many factors can slow down your Android phone. In a worst-case scenario, you may have picked up a virus along the way. Tap or click here for details of a serious security flaw that a recent update patched.
But sometimes, what’s causing your device to run slow is something simple, like a full cache. A cache is temporary data storage that apps use, so they don’t have to repeatedly download the same information. It’s useful and can make sites load faster, but clearing out the cache can help speed things up.
True or false: You should reboot your computer every day
There are few certainties in life: Death, taxes and turning your computer off and on when there’s a problem. This is usually the first piece of advice you get from friends, family and tech support.
Rebooting your computer helps keep it running smoothly. It clears the memory, stopping any tasks that are eating up RAM. Even if you’ve closed an app, it could still tap your memory. A reboot can also fix peripheral and hardware issues. If your computer is still running slow, this one trick could help.
Shopping guide: Should you buy a laptop or a desktop?
There are tons of different computer options on the market. Open any retail website and you’ll find a slew of different computers to pick from, making it hard to narrow down the choices.
But it’s not just memory options and processors that you have to narrow down. If you want to upgrade your computer, you’ll also have to choose between a laptop or a tower computer. Buying a new laptop? Don’t make these 7 common mistakes.
Why it's so dangerous to keep using your old iPhone - see the list
Last month, Apple debuted a range of new iPads, updated Apple Watches and the new iOS 14 operating system. But something was curiously absent from the keynote that many were looking forward to: the mysterious iPhone 12.
Did you recently purchase a 5400 RPM hard drive for your NAS? Not if you bought Western Digital
When you buy a computer or similar piece of hardware, you expect it to work the way that it says on the box. If it isn’t, this can make your purchase seem like a defect (or if its better than advertised, a lucky break). This is especially true for hard drives, which make up the core of our computer’s storage system.
Free download to speed up your Windows PC
Despite being made of metal and minerals, a computer is a complex system that works much like a living thing. Each part of the computer plays a vital role in the health of the system. Even on the software side, important programs can be essential to a computer’s operation.
Samsung just extended the expiration date on these phones - see the list
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Regular updates are incredibly important if you want your phone to last as long as possible. OS updates patch security issues, introduce new features and protect your data — high priorities if you don’t want to shell out money year after year for new phones.
New computer? Here are 4 things you should do right away
Picking out a new computer can be tough. With so many features to choose from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Don’t worry, just click here for a list of the things you should look into before choosing your next computer.
Apple's new product could be bigger than even the iPhone
Are you excited about the upcoming iPhone 12? The new phone set to debut this fall is anticipated to have an all-new design and cutting-edge features like a quad-lens camera. It may even include 5G, for all we know — but this has yet to be officially confirmed.
4 best dashcam apps for iPhone and Android
Looking to add a dashcam to your car? It can be a pricey endeavor, especially when it comes to installation and choosing the right hardware. Here’s something you may not have considered: just use a smartphone to take the place of a physical camera.
Smarter Siri, iOS 14, more privacy and everything else Apple just announced
It’s that time of year again: Apple’s annual Worldwide Developer’s conference has finally come — and with it, a plethora of new announcements for both hardware and software alike.
Unlike previous years, the 2020 conference opened to an audience of exactly zero people. Not because of a lack of enthusiasm, mind you, but rather pandemic-related precautions. For the first time, WWDC 2020 was livestream only, which shows how Apple is taking COVID-19 seriously. Tap or click here to see what Apple’s contact-tracing system looks like.
Apple issues 11 security alerts - here's how to update
When tech companies release tons of security patches for their software, it can almost feel like your gadgets are unsafe to use. If the threats out there are so numerous, why would anyone want to keep using these products in the first place?
Security alert: Millions of computers vulnerable to devastating new hack
What if there were a way to hack into your computer and steal files without leaving a trace? Most viruses nowadays can be detected by antimalware programs, and phishing attacks are obvious once you realize you’ve been duped. To pull off a totally foolproof hack, you need to crack the system’s hardware, not software.
Complete guide to sanitizing your tech: Phones, laptops, computers, tablets
Our electronic devices are used almost daily, meaning they can get downright nasty. Our screens get smudged, our keyboards collect dust and that dry cloth we use to wipe things down doesn’t seem to have much effect.
Knowing how to clean our tech is one of the many ways we can control the spread of germs in our homes. And right now, knowing how to sanitize things should be a top priority.
7 big mistakes people make when shopping for a new laptop
For most of us, laptops are a crucial part of our daily lives. We use them for work, for play and for everything in between. But buying a new one can be a confusing, frustrating process. Laptops come in a wide range of prices, designs and capabilities, so it can be hard to know which to choose.
Want to access iCloud on Android? It's easier than ever
Since Android is open-source, its users can enjoy quite an eclectic mix of hardware and software, including a world of apps; however, the one thing Android can’t fully embrace is the wonderful world of native Apple apps.