How do you test hardware compatibility after a repair?

1 Check device manager

The device manager is a tool that shows you the status of all the hardware devices connected to your computer. You can access it by typing devmgmt.msc in the search box or the run dialog box. In the device manager, you can see if there are any devices with yellow exclamation marks, red crosses, or blue question marks. These indicate that there are problems with the drivers, the hardware, or the connection. You can try to update, uninstall, or reinstall the drivers, or check the cables and ports for any damage or loose connections.

2 Run hardware diagnostics

Hardware diagnostics are software programs that scan and test your hardware components for any errors or faults. Some computers have built-in hardware diagnostics that you can access by pressing a certain key during startup, such as F2, F12, or Esc. You can also use third-party hardware diagnostics tools that you can download from the internet or run from a bootable USB drive. Some examples are MemTest86, CrystalDiskInfo, and CPU-Z. Hardware diagnostics can help you identify any defective or incompatible hardware components and replace them if necessary.

3 Perform a clean boot

A clean boot is a way of starting your computer with only the essential services and programs. This can help you isolate any software conflicts that might affect your hardware compatibility. To perform a clean boot, you need to use the system configuration tool, which you can access by typing msconfig in the search box or the run dialog box. In the system configuration tool, you can disable all the startup items and non-Microsoft services, and then restart your computer. If your computer runs smoothly after a clean boot, you can enable the items and services one by one until you find the one that causes the problem.

4 Update your operating system

Your operating system is the software that manages your hardware and software resources. It is important to keep your operating system updated to ensure that it supports the latest hardware devices and drivers. Updating your operating system can also fix any bugs or vulnerabilities that might affect your hardware compatibility. You can check for updates by going to the settings app, clicking on update and security, and then clicking on check for updates. You can also download and install updates manually from the manufacturer's website.

5 Test your hardware performance

The final step is to test your hardware performance and see if it meets your expectations and needs. You can use various tools and methods to measure and monitor your hardware performance, such as benchmarking, stress testing, and temperature monitoring. Benchmarking is a way of comparing your hardware performance with other systems or standards. Stress testing is a way of putting your hardware under extreme load and see how it handles it. Temperature monitoring is a way of checking the heat levels of your hardware components and see if they are within safe limits. Some tools that you can use for these purposes are PCMark, Prime95, and HWMonitor.

By following these steps, you can test your hardware compatibility after a repair and ensure that your computer runs smoothly and reliably. Hardware compatibility is an essential aspect of computer repair that can affect your user experience and satisfaction.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?