Diagnostic scripts used by Cooltech Computers. Download the zip, extract the whole folder, then double-click the numbered .cmd file inside and click Yes when Windows asks for permission. Nothing is installed.

• PC-CRASH-DIAG.zip25 KB

  For a PC that freezes, restarts or switches itself off. Disk and system file checks, memory test, crash history, a watch mode that records readings until it dies, a stress test, and one-click collection of all the Windows logs into a single zip. Includes a rescue script for a PC that will not start.

• PC-STRESS-LOAD.zip5 KB

  Puts a controlled load on the processor, memory and drive to try to make a flaky PC fail, and writes a log every 5 seconds so the last line shows when it died. Press Q to stop.

• PC-LOG-COLLECTOR.zip15 KB

  Collects the event logs, crash dumps, repair logs and system snapshots into one zip. Read-only, and safe to run while another test is going.

• SCAM-KIT-V3.zip216 KB

  Sweep for a PC that has had a remote-access or tech-support scam: finds remote-access tools, changed settings and signs of what happened, within the dates you choose, and writes a plain-language report.

• HP-AIO-DIAG.zip17 KB

  Diagnostic kit for an HP all-in-one that crashes or restarts, including a watch script.

Useful tools from other authors

Programs we use in the workshop. We don't host them: use these links to get the genuine, current version from the maker, and check each licence there. All of these are free to download and use.

Hardware information and temperatures

• HWiNFO

  Detailed hardware report and live sensor readings (temperatures, fan speeds, voltages) with logging to a file.

• HWMonitor

  Simple live view of temperatures, voltages and fan speeds.

• CPU-Z

  Shows the exact processor, motherboard and memory (speed, timings, which slots are filled).

• GPU-Z

  Graphics card details and sensors.

Drive health and testing

• CrystalDiskInfo

  Reads the health, temperature and wear of hard drives and SSDs. A quick first check.

• CrystalDiskMark

  Measures drive speed, useful for spotting a slow drive, cable or USB port.

• GSmartControl

  Free tool to read drive SMART data and run drive self-tests.

• H2testw

  Tests USB sticks and memory cards for fake capacity and bad sectors.

• TestDisk and PhotoRec

  Free recovery of lost partitions and deleted files.

• Samsung Magician

  Health checks and firmware updates for Samsung SSDs.

• SeaTools

  Seagate drive tests (works on other brands too).

Memory and stress testing

• MemTest86

  Boots from a USB stick and tests the RAM outside Windows. The standard test for a PC that crashes at random.

• Memtest86+

  Free, open-source memory tester that also boots from a USB stick.

• Prime95

  Heavy processor and memory stress test (use the Torture Test).

Crash and fault finding in Windows

• BlueScreenView

  Lists blue-screen crash dumps and the driver involved.

• FullEventLogView

  Browse and search the Windows event log in one table.

• Sysinternals Suite

  Microsoft's free toolbox: Process Explorer, Autoruns, Process Monitor and many more.

• Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU)

  Completely removes graphics drivers before a clean reinstall.

• Everything

  Instant file search across the whole PC.

Virus and malware scanners

• ESET Online Scanner

  Free one-off scan with a second opinion.

• Microsoft Safety Scanner

  Microsoft's free standalone scanner. Expires after 10 days, so always download a fresh copy.

Cloning, imaging and boot sticks

• Clonezilla

  Free disk-to-disk cloning and imaging, run from a boot stick.

• Rescuezilla

  Clonezilla with a friendlier screen. Good for backing up and restoring a whole PC.

• Ventoy

  Make one USB stick that boots many different ISO files.

• Rufus

  Make a bootable Windows or Linux USB stick.

• Medicat USB

  A ready-made repair stick built on Ventoy, full of rescue tools.

• Ultimate Boot CD

  Collection of diagnostic tools that boot without Windows.

• ShredOS

  Boots from a stick and securely wipes a drive.

• Windows 11 download

  Official Microsoft installation media and ISO.

Network and general utilities

• Wireshark

  Captures and analyses network traffic.

• Advanced IP Scanner

  Finds every device on a network.

• PuTTY

  SSH and serial terminal.

• WinSCP

  Copy files to and from other computers over SSH.

• 7-Zip

  Free archive tool for zip, 7z, rar and more.

• Notepad++

  Free text editor that opens big logs easily.

Password recovery and tools that antivirus often flags

These read saved passwords and keys, so antivirus programs commonly flag them even though they are legitimate. Use them only on a PC you have permission to work on, and keep anything they output private. You may need to add an exception in the antivirus before downloading.

• ChromePass

  Shows the saved passwords in Chrome, Edge and other Chromium browsers so they can be put back after a reinstall.

• WebBrowserPassView

  Saved passwords from Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Internet Explorer and Opera in one list.

• Mail PassView

  Recovers email account passwords from Outlook, Thunderbird, Windows Mail and other mail programs.

• Network Password Recovery

  Passwords Windows has saved for network shares and Remote Desktop.

• Internet Explorer PassView

  Passwords saved by older Internet Explorer.

• Dialupass

  Passwords for dial-up and VPN connections.

• WirelessKeyView

  Shows the saved Wi-Fi passwords.

• ProduKey

  Shows the Windows and Office product keys on a PC.

• ShowKeyPlus

  Shows the Windows product key and licence details.

• NirSoft utilities (full list)

  The whole NirSoft collection of small free tools.

• NSudo

  Runs a program with full system rights.

• System Informer (Process Hacker)

  Advanced task manager for finding and ending stubborn processes.

USB and Windows helpers (Uwe Sieber)

• UsbTreeView

  Shows every USB device and the speed it is connected at. Spots a fast drive stuck at slow USB 2 speed from a bad cable or port.

• RestartUsbPort

  Does the equivalent of unplugging and replugging a USB device.

• ListUsbDevs

  Lists the connected USB devices as plain text.

• DeviceCleanup

  Removes old "ghost" devices from Device Manager.