Hardware and software setup

What to check when buying a new laptop. Programs for checking a computer or laptop for stability

Good day! I feel that you want to buy a used laptop, but are afraid to do so. Guessed? Otherwise, why would you read this article? When buying a used laptop, there is always a chance to buy a laptop that will work for a week or two and die. Here you need to carefully weigh two factors: cost savings and risk. And in order to minimize the risk, I will share with you tips, how to buy a used laptop what to check and what to look for when buying a used device. Without sucker and life is bad .... but you won't fool us!

Appearance of a used laptop

Of course, first of all, you need to inspect the laptop (laptop) for visible defects. What will it give you? You will learn how the previous owner treated him, how neat he was and so on.

If numerous scratches are visible on the laptop, then this, at least, looks unpresentable. It is unlikely that this will somehow affect the performance of the device, but this will bring down the price by 5-10%. Agree, it’s not bad to buy a thing cheaper even with an additional discount.

“Take it, I assure you, although it doesn’t look very good on the outside, it works great!”

But it’s much worse if you find cracks or chips on your laptop. This suggests that he was dropped. Perhaps repeatedly. In this case, there may be microcracks on the boards and microcircuits that you will not notice with the naked eye. These microcracks may not make themselves felt for a long time, but in the end, sooner or later, this will lead to breakage.

Check the operating temperature of a used laptop

The temperature of the internal components of a laptop is a very important factor. All the same programs will help us check the temperature AIDA64 and Speccy. Any of them will show the temperature of all components on which temperature sensors are installed: the central processor, video card, motherboard other.

The performance of the video card when buying a used laptop

Examining a laptop, you can make an erroneous opinion about the performance of the video card, even running games on it. This is due to the fact that almost all modern processors have an integrated video core.

To be honest, I personally faced this problem. When buying a laptop, the seller warned me that after reinstalling windows Unable to install drivers for discrete graphics card. I thought that I would deal with this problem and did not attach much importance to it.

In fact, it turned out that the drivers were not installed not because of reinstalling Windows, but because the video card was in an emergency state. It was displayed, asked to install drivers on it, and everything seemed to work as it should. However, when installing drivers, the laptop freezes or reboots. I have tried different driver versions and different Windows versions- nothing helped. The video card was not working. And the whole system was dragged by a video card, which is built into the central processor. And it still drags, for a year and a half now.

I'm not complaining, because I don't need a powerful video card, I don't play games now. But take note. Demand evidence that the discrete graphics card works and performs well under load.

By the way, there are laptops in which you can easily replace the video card with another one. But in most cases, even a discrete graphics card in a laptop is actually soldered into the motherboard and can't be replaced just like that. This can be done in service centers, but the game is not worth the candle - such a card will not work for a long time.

Do not forget, by the way, about the existence, which are connected using special docking stations. They give a significant increase in laptop performance. With the help of such docking stations, you can use any . In this regard, the question arises, what is the result, right?))

Check sound (speakers and audio jack)

You will have a very sad laptop if it is dumb. You won't be able to watch movies or play games. In general, there will be a feeling that you are in contact with a disabled person. Therefore, it is important that the sound on the laptop still works.

On a flash drive on which you will have programs to check hard drive and laptop temperature, throw in a couple of your favorite songs. You can.

Start the track, listen to how it sounds. Perhaps the speakers are already planted and barely puff. This is bad. It also happens that one speaker works, and the second does not. This is also bad.

If everything is fine, then check the audio output at the same time. You always have headphones with you, I know for sure. And if not, then read the article about. Plug them in and listen to the music. Is he playing normally? Doesn't growl, doesn't crackle? Turn the plug. Doesn't leave? It means everything is OK.

What else you need to check in a used laptop?

Must definitely check functionality of all connectors. you check with the flash drive that you have in your hands. You have already checked the audio jack. The rest is up to you.

VERY important to check performanceWi-fi. Read about. If there are no free available points nearby, then you can distribute Wi-Fi from your smartphone. A couple of megabytes is not a pity for a laptop test.

Where to buy a used laptop (used)?

After you have armed yourself with all necessary knowledge how to check a used laptop, we can start searching for it. You should have a lot of options on how to find a used laptop in your city if the city is large. Starting from a banal search in Yandex " buy used laptop” and ending with advertisements in newspapers and specialized resources (local or global). Let's go in order...

With Avito with offers of used laptops for sale

So where can you buy a used laptop?

  1. Advertisements in local newspapers. See what they sell, call, check and pick up the goods.
  2. Ads on the site with announcements, such as Slando and Avito. You all know these sites well. A lot of them. As well as city ​​portals. There are also classifieds sections.
  3. Service centers. Many service centers often have used laptops for sale. In addition, they are most likely cleaned of dust and ready for "battle". I highly recommend buying from these places. Perhaps you even will give a guarantee for a month or so.
  4. Pawnshops. In pawnshops, you can buy a used laptop very cheaply, because they are often rented there for next to nothing, and even making a 100% cheat on this price, it still turns out cheaper than in service centers.
  5. Flea markets. Sites or groups in in social networks, where you can always buy something from your hands or even pick it up for free. For example, "Flea market Yekaterinburg".

How to buy a used laptop: conclusion

It turned out to be a rather large article, but very useful. Now you know exactly how to buy a used laptop and make the right choice. To consolidate the material covered, let's summarize it and go over all the points again:

  1. Check out the used laptop. There should be no cracks or chips, and dead pixels.
  2. The characteristics of the laptop must necessarily correspond to those stated in the ad. Check carefully. Why do you need a weak laptop?
  3. The battery must be in good condition: be charged and hold a charge.
  4. Check all the keyboard buttons in Word. Don't forget to check out the touchpad.
  5. Make sure the laptop is not overheating. Sometimes this can be fixed by cleaning it from dust, and sometimes it is a strong defect that will lead to an early failure of the device.
  6. Make sure that the laptop is powered by a discrete graphics card, and not by a video chip built into the central processing unit.
  7. Listen to the speakers sing. The sound should be loud enough and without distortion. If the laptop has stereo speakers, then both should work.
  8. Check the functionality of all connectors. Or what you need.
  9. Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi, Waffle, Wi-Fi must work. Without it, a laptop is just a pile of iron.

Now, knowing how to buy and test a used laptop for performance, you can be useful to your friends who also want to save money on buying a laptop. Better yet, do a good deed - share the article with your friends on social networks.

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The failure of a laptop is an unpleasant situation that can lead to significant financial costs. You don't always want to take it to service center, especially fearing to fall for the bait of an unscrupulous master. The simplest fault diagnosis can be carried out independently. Simple and basic techniques for checking the device at home can be mastered by everyone.

Causes of failure

Any computer is divided into hardware and software part. The first refers directly to the "hardware" of the device: motherboard, processor, video card, memory, etc. To the software operating system and software.

By the nature of the malfunction, it is enough to simply determine which part of the laptop has failed and perform more accurate diagnostics:

  • failure software. Possible reasons: “rally” of the driver, the presence of viruses, OS malfunction;
  • hardware failure. Signs: slowing down, freezing, turning off the device, problems with video, peripherals, etc. Possible causes: overheating CPU, north or south bridge failure, hard drive failure, consequences of liquid getting on the motherboard.

What is needed for diagnosis

To carry out self-diagnosis of a computer most accurately and efficiently, you will need the following software:

  • Viktoria
  • to test the hard drive;

  • AIDA 64
  • to view sensors;

  • memtest
  • for troubleshooting random access memory.

It is advisable to arm yourself with some "computer hardware" suitable for your laptop:

  • hard drive form factor 2.5 inches in working order;
  • DDR3 RAM stick;
  • monitor for desktop computer and VGA cable;
  • power unit.

The "gentleman's kit" can also be supplemented with a voltmeter, an oscilloscope and a soldering station. It is not scary if such additional equipment is not available, since it may not be needed in every situation.

Software failures

Finding out that the breakdown occurred in this particular part of the laptop is easy. The main symptom is the normal turning on of the device, but with failures when loading the operating system. Below are the most common problems and possible remedies.

Problem What to do
OS won't boot Restore the system or reinstall the OS
Appearance blue screen"of death" The cause of the failure depends on the error code. Basically, in this case, you need to resolve the conflict of drivers and programs with the OS
Laptop freezes or slows down when running a certain program Check program compatibility with OS and availability additional applications, such as Microsoft.NetFramework
No sound Check installed drivers
Clean up the registry from junk and optimize the OS

Determine hardware failure

The main signal of failure computer hardware"will shutdown or restart the laptop before the OS starts. Other failures may also occur.

Problem What to do
Laptop boots up but freezes or restarts This happens when the overheat protection trips. View temperature sensors using the AIDA program
Screen image is distorted The reason is the failure of the video card or matrix. Most likely a replacement part will be needed.
Hard disk failure to format and write data when reinstalling the OS Run hard drive diagnostics using Victoria
Device boot failures Run a RAM test with MemTest
Significant reduction in battery life Perform battery calibration. If the battery is not charging, it may need to be repaired or the power connector replaced. It could also be a faulty power supply.

You have finally chosen the laptop model that satisfies you with its parameters and are ready to buy it. If you have chosen a used machine, please check the Q&A first and then continue reading here, making allowances for "used". If you buy a new device - also read the topic above. The reason is simple - it's not a sin to check everything listed there on a new device (even the seller himself may not know the background of the box with a laptop). The only difference between new and used in this case is that, theoretically, there should not be any hidden defects on a new device (on a used laptop, their presence is implicitly implied). Therefore, testing of individual nodes in a new laptop can be greatly reduced, perhaps even neglected altogether, except perhaps for checking the matrix. Some points and "little things" that deserve your attention at the time of purchase and immediately before it:

  • When buying a new laptop, pay attention to its packaging. Ideally, the box will be factory sealed and will be opened right in front of you. It should be noted that this is contrary to Russian rules for the sale of technically complex household goods, which include laptops, so there is no need to insist on this if the seller is against it. But you can ask. DO NOT take the sealed box under your arm and take the laptop away without checking it. If there is very, very little time, then at least open the box, briefly check the contents and serial numbers on the laptop case, in the warranty card and on the box (must match) and make sure that the machine starts normally when you press the "ON" button. Still, it's better to set aside a certain amount of your time for buying a laptop in order to test it not so fluently. A severely dented, worn or damaged box indicates the difficult fate of the device during transportation, be sure to either bargain (up to 10 percent is quite realistic to drop for this), or demand another copy. Numerous layers of scotch tape on the box, in its outwardly good condition, most often speak of repeated unpacking and packing of beech, which, as you yourself understand, usually does not bode well. The normal state of the packaging, on the other hand, does not mean anything at all - a skilled seller knows how to repack carefully.
  • If a laptop is chosen not from a well-known manufacturer, take an interest in the list of equipment that is in the laptop and the availability of drivers for them on the websites of manufacturers of this equipment. Sad options are possible when the manufacturer "sank into oblivion", and the change in the operating system took you by surprise before the fact of absence the correct driver. Many hardware manufacturers post drivers, incl. and more recent than those of the laptop manufacturer on their websites, but there are unfortunate exceptions. The presence of drivers for Linux, if you plan to install it, should be of interest first of all.
  • Does the laptop manufacturer BIOS updates for your devices? If only one initial version is offered for download for all models, the manufacturer is not very meticulous about the quality of service support.
  • Is there any noticeable flickering of the matrix? Many note that some matrices seem to flicker to their eyes (relative to others). You cannot read about this in the specifications for the device, and you need to "look with your eyes" yourself. The causes of this phenomenon are usually complex, and rarely it is a malfunction, rather a feature.
  • Matte or glossy matrix finish? Often this information is also not in the specification, and not everyone likes the glossy finish.
  • What size is the power supply unit (PSU) of the laptop, what cables go to it? Some manufacturers (Dell, for example) use non-standard network cables, which will not be easy to find a replacement for, some (the same Dell in some models) use a special identification chip in the PSU that will not allow you to replace the PSU itself with a non-native one if necessary. Thickness and weight network cable can also vary widely - with a slight mobile computer it makes sense to carry a thin cable, not a thick heavy one.
  • Is the laptop lid tight or easy to move when opening and closing it? A tight move may not allow you to open the lid with one hand, too loose may mean that the fastening hinges loosen quickly enough.
  • Are there bright blue lights around the screen? Light bulbs should be located far from the screen, be of a dim color and not have flickering or flashing modes. It may look good on the window, but at work it only annoys.
  • How comfortable is the keyboard layout? Try typing a couple of paragraphs of text in a text editor, and then edit it heavily. See how convenient it is for you to manage with service keys such as Enter, Shift, Ctrl, Ins, Del, etc. Does the keyboard flex when typing? If , then this is not a problem in most cases.
  • How successful is the Russification of the keyboard? Is the Russian font clearly visible, in particular, in dim lighting? Is it easy to distinguish between Cyrillic and Latin layouts? Is Russification made by the factory or with the help of stickers? Stickers will have to be changed regularly, not to mention the fact that the very presence of stickers most often means that the device is "gray".
  • The presence of on-off buttons and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi indicators does not mean their physical presence! In many models, their presence is optional, and the buttons and indicators are common to the entire line. Check the physical presence of these devices; It's also a good idea to check if all devices are enabled in the BIOS.
  • Is it possible to add RAM to a laptop without replacing the already installed one?
  • How "marked" is the outer coating of the matrix cover and wrist rest? The glossy silver finish looks great in a display case, but often picks up all the dust and dirt along with fingerprints, and accentuates all the inevitable scratches that follow. Not to mention that it wears off easily with use.
  • How durable is the material of these same laptop parts? Are there streaks on the screen that is on with a little pressure on the outer part of the matrix cover? Does the laptop case walk under lying hands? Does this place overheat during prolonged use?
  • How are the cooling air inlets and outlets arranged? The slots on the bottom of the laptop have a chance of being blocked tightly when working on your knees. Blowing to the right can create inconvenience for right-handers when working with a mouse.
  • Listen to the fan's tone different modes. On some models, the fan tone is not very pleasant. It’s bad if he howls to the maximum, roars, cools down and turns off. Better - if it can smoothly regulate the speed. Those. it’s more pleasant if it works all the time, but slowly in one mode, than like a siren howling back and forth.
  • How old is the Li-ion battery? Lithium batteries degrade over time, so the fresher it is by the date of production, the better.
  • When booting, does the laptop OS prompt you to accept the license? If not (there is a normal Windows boot) - the laptop was already turned on before you or the seller changed the OS. How critical this is is for you to judge.
  • Can a laptop boot from a USB flash drive? This is especially true for single-spindle devices without a built-in optical drive.
  • Are there, how many and in what places warranty stickers and stickers on the screws and compartment covers of the laptop? Ideal when they are not, because there should not be. Stickers have a tendency to peel and abrade under intensive use, which can lead to misunderstandings when after-sales service. The abundance of stickers very often means the seller's reinsurance when selling a "gray" device that does not have a branded service.
  • What and under what conditions is the warranty for the device and its components covered? Make the seller explain to you ALL such conditions, if possible - against signature in a paper document.
  • Regarding a model that has been on the market for a long time, it’s good to ventilate the issue for standard failures - unsuccessful models happen even with the most famous manufacturers.
  • Look at the reviews on the service of a particular vendor, exactly in the place where you are most likely to use this service. It happens that the supply of spare parts takes months, find fault with every scratch, etc.
  • What battery does the laptop weigh? A good-capacity battery weighs ~400g, they can indicate the weight with a half battery or without it at all, or even without a CD drive. Most users estimate the conditional "heavy-light" boundary as a real working weight of ~ 2.5 kg.
  • What is the quality and volume of the built-in speakers, in which direction are they directed? With the sound quality in laptops, everything is usually average, to put it mildly, but there are also very extreme cases when everything wheezes and crackles at an acceptable volume, or when the sound (especially from DVD movies) is barely audible at maximum volume. Volume control should be convenient and without any software quirks - a wheel or well-accessible hardware buttons.

Dear friends, checking the laptop when buying is prerequisite otherwise you just take poor quality product. And quality in this context means that the device should suit you in every sense. That is, you can take the perfect laptop, but it turns out that it is very weak for you, and you only needed to add two or three thousand and take a better device. This means that you need to look not only at the state of the device, but also its technical characteristics and work in real conditions. So, how to check a laptop when buying in a store?

Appearance and kit

  • Ask the seller to show you the device. It often happens that the store does not show the device until it is received after payment. Of course, you can buy it and see it at the merchandise distribution, but why go on an extra adventure? If you can't inspect the laptop you're about to buy, then what, in general, can we talk about?
  • So, if you were given a product, then we check that it does not have any dents, scratches, or any other signs of a defect. This is allowed only if the store warns the buyer. How he does it? Surely you have seen markdown products that have some problems, due to which you get a certain discount. That is, if the laptop is discounted due to external damage, then you cannot blame the seller for having scratches or dents on the case. But it is worth understanding that it is best not to take such devices.

  • Often in stores in the window is a sample of the goods. That is, this model is designed for the user to see the operation of the device. And then at the extradition they will give you a completely new device that has never even been opened. We are now back to the issue of not being able to see the laptop that you will actually be given at the end. But it is worth remembering that most products are covered by a guarantee, which we will discuss separately at the end. That is, I want to say that you should be wary only if there is no display sample.
  • A display sample allows you to demonstrate the operation of the device. And since you get on the issuance of a completely new laptop so you don't have to worry about its safety. But it is highly recommended to check it appearance and the kit is in place together with the seller. If you arrive home and find that the charger is not included (after unpacking, of course), then no one will believe you and you will be left with a nose.
  • What should be in the kit? Undoubtedly, the laptop itself, user manual, charger. It is worth noting that there may be additional attributes, but if the main ones are not in it, then you can safely return the goods right on the spot. There is no legal reason not to take your device back from the store.

Laptop operation

  • Checking a laptop before buying means seeing it in action. Again, the display case, which we talked about earlier, will come to your aid. If there is none, then they will not bring it to you from the warehouse for testing. You will get a "pig in a poke". It is also worth noting the very important point: all these checks should definitely be done with the final product, which will be handed out to you at the issuance of goods.
  • It is advisable to look at the process of turning the device on and off. Salespeople at good stores will be happy to help you complete the check.
  • To test the operation of the keyboard, go to any text editor(preferably Microsoft Office Word) and alternately press absolutely all the keys. It often happens that there is a certain defect in specific model, so do not detract from any of the verification steps. For example, X-series laptops from manufacturer XYZ have a non-working X key because the factory forgot to do something. We hope the meaning is clear.

  • Next, without a doubt, it's worth checking out the touchpad. This is the touchpad below the keyboard. It should simulate pressing the left and right buttons mouse, move the cursor around the workspace. Some laptops may also have some features such as multi-touch. That is, you can change the scale of images, quickly switch between tabs, and so on.
  • Look carefully at the laptop screen: there should be normal color reproduction, there should be no dead pixels. But even if there are broken pixels on the showcase sample, this does not mean that the same product will be waiting for you at the issuance.
  • If possible, look at the ports and inputs on the laptop so that they all work. You can take flash drives or other devices with you for testing.

Laptops without OS

So, how to check a laptop without an OS when buying? This is much more difficult to do than with an installed OS (operating system), as you will not be able to test the operation of the keyboard, camera, and other services. But then what to do? It is recommended to simply run it and see the following:

  • At startup, at least some image should appear.
  • We look at the work of light bulbs on the laptop case.
  • If at startup instead of a picture or command line If you see a set of cubes, stripes, symbols of different colors, then, most likely, the end of the video card has come.

This, of course, does not guarantee you a full-fledged high-quality check of a laptop without an OS, but this is enough for you for the first stage. You can only buy a laptop without an OS and check everything carefully at home after installing the OS. If there is something wrong with it, then you can turn to consumer protection law. Next, we will look at the main points that a user can claim after buying a laptop with a factory defect.

What to do after purchase?

So, if for some reason you still bought a laptop with a defect or you just want to return the goods, then let's find out what the Law of the Russian Federation of 02/07/1992 N 2300-1 "On Protection of Consumer Rights" can offer us in this case. But, first of all, it is worth noting that in the kit you should have: a check, a box, a laptop, a warranty card (not always) and a complete set.

  • You can return the product if you do not like it in terms of color, dimensions and other attributes within 14 days from the date of purchase in accordance with article 25, paragraph 1. The device must not have signs of use, that is, it cannot be activated, installed programs, used for ten days , and then say: "Oh, I want white." Factory seals and packaging must be retained.
  • According to the same point, you do not have to have a cash receipt: any document confirming the fact of purchasing a laptop from this particular seller will do.
  • When you return the product, you can exchange it for a new one or return the money. You can also purchase a similar laptop with or without a surcharge.
  • It is worth remembering that laptops belong to the category of technically complex goods, so some defects are excusable. For example, the same dead pixels are allowed in a certain ratio. Therefore, we recommended that you watch it right in the store before activating the product, so that you can immediately return it. At the same time, do not talk about pixels, but say that you still want a different model or a different color. In any case, you have every right to a replacement.

  • The manufacturer is obliged to repair the laptop within a certain time and offer another product to use during the repair. Why should you lose your job due to a manufacturer or store error, for example, if you work on a laptop? This applies to the warranty period that follows after the 14-day period. It should be noted that the repair period cannot exceed 45 working days, which is a violation of the consumer protection law.
  • All claims must be submitted in writing and take a second copy for yourself, where there is both your signature and the signature of the seller. This is necessary so that in which case you can press charges.
  • It is highly recommended to independently study your rights at the stage of purchase, so that there are no problems later.

Conclusion

Friends, we hope that you were able to test a new laptop in a store without an OS or with it. Now you know what to do, and the chances of buying low-quality goods have decreased. Do not forget to share your opinion, impression and personal experience in comments!

What can be terrible in the creaking of laptop hinges? For the time being,the author of this articlethe annoying sound was just annoying. But over time, it turned out that the serviceable hinges themselves were tightened so much that the plastic of the case at the attachment point simply could not stand it and burst. Dancing with a tambourine and epoxy helped restore the mount. But the habit of listening to all the suspicious sounds in the case has formed, it seems, forever. However, the case should not only be listened to, but also carefully looked at and also felt.

First, try opening the laptop lid with one hand. If the other half briskly reached for the lid, it means that the hinges are not adjusted. Firstly, it is not very convenient, and secondly, there is reason to worry about the integrity of the plastic. Unfortunately, this happens all the time, so be critical of this moment and the accompanying sounds.

Then check the housing cover for flex. After that, inspect the surface of the screen for button marks. They will certainly be printed on the display if the matrix touches the keyboard under pressure. Even if there are no traces, still check how much the outer side of the laptop lid “walks”. Even if you carry a laptop in a bag or case, excessive pressure can damage the matrix.

Gently press down on the lid of the laptop. Ideally, it should not bend at all. If there is a slight movement - most likely, the screen will touch the buttons in closed state. The pressure can break the display.

Check the safety of all connectors externally and try to connect various devices to each: monitors in VGA, DVI, HDMI, flash drives in USB, etc.

Traces of dried or poorly wiped liquid are a bad sign. It is not known how much got inside the case and how it will affect the work. We also recommend checking each button by pressing for sticking or other defects.

Screen

In addition to the keyboard marks, which we wrote about above, the laptop screen should be checked for dead pixels. This is done using a couple of images of gradient fills. Inspection is recommended to be carried out in a slightly darkened room. For special software, you will need the TFT Test or Nokia test program (see the "Useful programs" box).

One of the most important testing steps is to identify non-working pixels that do not reproduce color correctly or do not reproduce it at all. The pixel consists of contacts of three colors: red, green and blue. If one of them fails, the output color is distorted. In general, there are three types of bad pixels: dead, hot, and dependent. All of them can be checked by applying the fill in different colors. Such fills are in the programs TFT Test and Nokia test.

A dead pixel shows no colors at all and looks like a black dot that is best seen in a single color image. A hot pixel does not correctly recognize the set temperature and displays the wrong color, which can be seen by switching several different colors and identifying dots of a different color. Dependent pixels appear when several colors are displayed on the screen, they are visible when a grid or “checkerboard” is displayed in the form of colored dots. They are immediately visible in similar images, as they are knocked out of the grid geometry (for the permissible non-working number of pixels, see the box “How many non-working pixels can be”).

Another common problem is burning flowers. In this case, the colors are too contrasting and have almost no midtones. To check this possible defect, run gradient fills on the screen (a picture of the transition from one color to another). Skim the colors. Evaluate how smooth and smooth the transitions are. If there are obvious stripes, then the monitor has problems with color reproduction.

Caption: In this image, you can see hot pixels that appear due to the failure of one of the color contacts

Caption: This image reveals another type of non-working pixels - dependent; the nature of their appearance is slightly different, but they look similar to hot pixels.

When burning colors, the transitions between different colors are sharp and may look like stripes.

HDD

The hard drive can be checked in several ways. If the laptop does not have an OS installed, enter the BIOS by pressing the function keys or . In order to make sure that the hard drive is present and working, open the list of installed equipment and find the item there with the name of the manufacturer and the type of device.

If the operating system is installed, then the actual loading of the OS itself is the first sign that HDD most likely a worker. Next, you need a standard Windows utility CHKDSK or SCANDISK(hard drive properties - tab "Service"). On Linux, its analogy is the badblocks utility. Such a utility will recognize and correct, if possible, system errors and the disk sector, that is, the bad sector.

Bad sector is bad (not readable or even broken), unreliable disk sector, marked as such in the structure of the file system. To find them, we recommend using HDD-regenerator program, which can also identify and even correct bad sectors.

The HDD-regenerator program will help identify bad disk sectors not only from under the installed OS, but also from a bootable flash drive

Most often, bad sectors appear from mechanical damage, for example, due to the fall of the laptop. say about the maximum valid number bad sections of the disk is difficult, since different manufacturers it varies. A critical amount is manifested in a decrease in free space on the hard disk, since all backup clusters are involved and the workspace is used.

Cooling

Another stumbling block of a working laptop is its cooler, the cooling system. This point is very important, since poorly functioning cooling is fraught with overheating and failure. Most often this is due to clogged ventilation.

If it is not possible to disassemble the laptop case, then while the laptop is idle, listen to the volume of the fan. If the cooler hums too much, then it is clogged. Confirmation of clogging may be dust in the ventilation slots on the bottom of the laptop. It is better not to buy such a laptop, since it is not always possible to get to the fan and clean it. An increase in noise can only be when a game is running on the laptop or the system is intensively processing some data.

Battery

The key point in laptops is their temporary independence from electricity. When buying a laptop, always check its battery life. The battery is one of the most expensive items to replace, so check the manufacturer's website for the advertised hours. If the laptop lasts 10-15% less time than stated, this is acceptable. If the run time is much less, then the battery is worn out and the laptop will turn into a desktop computer dependent on the outlet.

How many non-working pixels can there be

The standard for dead pixels is as follows:there are four quality classes of monitors, each of which allows a certain number of non-working pixels out of a million. The number of pixels on the matrix is ​​calculated by multiplying the digits of its resolution - width by height.

  • Class 1: 0 defective pixels per million.
  • Class 2: up to 2 type 1 and 2 defects or up to 5 type 3 defects per million.
  • Class 3: up to 5 type 1 defective pixels; up to 15 - type 2; up to 50 defective subpixels per million.
  • Class 4: up to 150 dead pixels per million.

Among the mass-produced LCD panels, there are practically no products of the 4th class. The standard defines four types of defective pixels:

  • Type 1: permanently burning pixels.
  • Type 2: permanently non-burning pixels.
  • Type 3: Pixels with other defects, including defects in subpixels (the RGB cells that make up the pixel), that is, permanently lit red, green, or blue.
  • Type 4 (defective pixel group): several defective pixels in a 5×5 square.

Useful programs :

TFTtest and Nokiatest- programs for checking the matrix of the monitor. They both have necessary set fills and gradients to check the operation of pixels on the monitor matrix.

HDDRegenerator1.61 - the program detects and fixes bad disk sectors not only from the installed OS, but also from a bootable flash drive.

AtriseLutcurve and AdobeGamma- programs for screen calibration.

EVEREST Ultimate Edition 5.50 - shows installed equipment on a laptop: hard drive model, RAM, processor, video adapter, etc.

HWMonitor 1.19 - displays the temperature at which the processor and video card operate in real time. It also shows a list of installed hardware.

Dmitry Tabakov

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