• Windows diagnostic programs seek to determine whether or not your PC is working properly.pc monitor image by Jorge Casais from Fotolia.com
  
  Windows diagnostic tools help you figure out what's going wrong with your computer. These programs can be used to figure out why your computer crashed, and they can also assist you find errors and fix problems. You can also run tests on your computer just to ensure that it is working properly. Most of these programs are free, and many are supplied by Microsoft itself.
  
  

Windows Memory Diagnostic

• This program can be used to run tests on your computer's RAM (Random Access Memory) memory to find out what is causing your current issue, including seeing whether or not you have enough memory or whether or not your computer's motherboard is working properly. If your hardware is not working properly, you will receive a printout of this information. This program generally takes about 30 minutes to run, and it will scan through your entire computer. To use this tool, you must first create either a CD or floppy disk from the executable file, mtinst.exe. Then, you will insert this disk and reboot your computer. This program can be run with any version of Windows, but the printout and instructions will only be in English.
  
  Microsoft.com
  
  

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 2.1.1

• The Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer will search your computer to try and find any security functions that are not configured correctly. This program can be run on your local computer, or it can be run remotely on networked computers. The Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer can be used with Windows 2000, Server 2003, XP, NT 4.0, Internet Information Server (IIS), SQL, Internet Explorer and Office. It can also be used to look for updates on these products plus Windows Media Player, Windows Data Access Components, MSXML, Microsoft Virtual Machine, Content Management Server, BizTalk Server, Host Integration Server and Commerce Server.
  
  download.cnet.com
  
  

GoldMemory Pro 7.70

• This program can be used to test systems and find computer errors, and it comes with an alert system to notify administrators when there is a problem. It can be used to maintain PAE-36 (Physical Address Extension) systems, and it can be used to fix various bugs within Windows systems. This program requires a licensing fee to use, and amounts will vary based on numbers of licenses. Further, users must be registered with the company before they can download the program. Once a person is licensed and the fee is paid, he will receive a floppy disk or CD for program installation. This program can be used with any Windows operating system.
  
  Goldmemory.cz