bootable diagnostics program or bootable linux maybe?

[preventec47]

i have been told to order and reinstall xp_pro just
to test to see if i am having an op sys problem>
lots of cost time and trouble there>

in the real old days we had several vendors that
made bootable diagnostics programs that were their
own operating systems and could test hardware
without having to experiment with our installed
systems

what about today? is everyone using linux bootable
of some type or is there a reputable diagnostics program
available at retail computer centers etc ?

 

[kjv1611]

There are lots of options out there.

There's the UltimateBootCD and BCD4Win.

Those are 100% free, and have all sorts of built in diagnostics.

You can build your own BartPE disk with various apps for testing, scanning, etc...

There are also some that aren't quite as legit, in that they include licensed software which doesn't normally (if ever) allow 3rd parties to include their software in such setups.

But to get started, I'd probably just go ahead and go to

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com,

download that one, burn to a CD, and give it a go.

 

[rclarke250]

you could also download a linux live cd and run the os from the cd without installing to a hard drive. you can also load it to a thumb drive and use it there. or download a bartpe installer and create a bootable xp that is a functioning version of xp on a cd, this will need your i386 folder from your xindows xp installation disk.