Your computer hardware is the backbone of your system, but it can also be the source of many problems. If you want to avoid crashes, slowdowns, errors, or failures, you need to check your hardware's health regularly. In this article, we will show you how to use some simple tools and techniques to monitor and diagnose your hardware components.
The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is the firmware that controls your hardware settings and boot process. It also provides some useful information and diagnostics for your hardware, such as CPU temperature, fan speed, voltage, memory, and hard drive status. To access your BIOS, you need to restart your computer and press a specific key (usually F2, F10, F12, or Delete) before the operating system loads. Once in the BIOS, you can navigate through the menus and look for any warnings, errors, or abnormal readings. You can also adjust some settings, such as fan speed or voltage, to optimize your hardware performance or stability. However, be careful not to change anything you are not sure about, as it may cause more problems or damage your hardware.
Empezaremos por analizar nuestra placa base con una herramienta como el HWMonitor o similar y obtendremos datos importantes como la versión la Bios que lleva integrada nuestra placa base. Con este dato, buscaremos en la web del fabricante si existe una versión superior y procederemos a actualizarla, siempre comprobando que es nuestro modelo y versión adecuados. Con ello podemos mejorar las funcionalidades de nuestra placa, compatibilidad con otros dispositivos de HW y por supuesto, garantizaremos la seguridad en el caso de existan vulnerabilidades relacionadas con nuestro modelos de placa base.
Windows has some built-in tools that can help you check your hardware's health, such as Task Manager, Device Manager, and Resource Monitor. You can access these tools by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete and selecting them from the menu, or by typing their names in the search box. Task Manager shows you how much CPU, memory, disk, and network resources your system and applications are using, and allows you to end any processes that are hogging them. Device Manager lists all your hardware devices and drivers, and lets you update, disable, or uninstall them. You can also check for any devices that have a yellow exclamation mark, which indicates a problem or conflict. Resource Monitor gives you more detailed information and graphs about your hardware performance and activity, such as CPU frequency, disk queue length, memory usage, and network traffic.
Another way to check your hardware's health is to run diagnostic tests that can detect and fix any errors or issues. There are many free or paid software tools that can perform these tests, such as MemTest86, CrystalDiskInfo, HWMonitor, or Prime95. These tools can test different aspects of your hardware, such as memory, disk, CPU, or GPU, and report any errors, failures, or anomalies. Some of them can also stress-test your hardware, which means pushing it to its limits to see how it handles high loads and temperatures. This can help you identify any weak or faulty components, or any cooling or power problems. However, stress-testing can also damage your hardware if done improperly or excessively, so use it with caution and monitor your hardware closely.
If operating a windows system, you can run perfmon /report in the command prompt (must be run as an administrator) to get a basic assessment of your system. Maybe start there before consulting with third party software tools to see if you can identify symptoms, then jump off into deeper analysis. Some organizations won't have access to specific third-party tools, and you won't want to download them without express permission.
Sometimes, the simplest way to check your hardware's health is to open your computer case and take a look inside. Dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate over time and affect your hardware performance, cooling, and lifespan. You can use a soft brush, a can of compressed air, or a vacuum cleaner to gently remove any dust from your hardware components, especially the fans, heatsinks, and vents. You can also inspect your hardware for any signs of physical damage, such as cracks, burns, leaks, or loose connections. If you find any, you may need to replace or repair them. You should also make sure that your hardware is properly installed, secured, and connected, and that there are no loose or tangled wires that could interfere with the airflow or cause a short circuit.
Your drivers and firmware are the software that communicate with your hardware and enable it to function properly. They can also affect your hardware performance, compatibility, and security. Therefore, you should keep them updated to the latest versions available from your hardware manufacturers or vendors. You can check for driver updates using Device Manager, Windows Update, or the software that came with your hardware. You can check for firmware updates using the BIOS or the software that came with your hardware. Updating your drivers and firmware can fix any bugs, improve your hardware functionality and stability, and enhance your system security.