I need hardware check program this weekend!

I took my computer for repairs after windows system got toally corrupted - not because of malware (I am 100% sure of that) but corrupt Adobe reader and ignorant novice trying to fix it. I was told I need a clean install because there in "so many viruses and spyware".

At that point my alarm bells were ringing because I have had only 1 benign virus in my life, about 8 years ago and I know for 99% certainty that my system was squeeky clean: even with on-access virus checker disabled it's databse was up to date and the actual virus checker and my firewall were working fine (Call me paranoid but I had at least 4 anti-spyware programs +ccleaner, which I run every day.) I have even hunted for rootkits, just in case. In the end, as I was desperate for the machine to work so I agreed although I had lost the installation key, meaning I had to buy another copy of XP. (No Vista for me untill Microsoft will stop patching XP up or desired programs won't work any more - by which time I hope to have learned enough about Linux to get by)

I was told to pick the machine up at closing time but when I went there, the engineer told my network card must be duff because they couldn't get it working. I thought this was rubbish but things can happen so I accepted a new 10/100 install instead of my gigabyte one. I had asked the engineer to put a new DVD-+RW but found it still in packaging so no surprises there. As it was closing time, I paid for the goods and "service", while the engineer put on the cover back. The transaction had just gone through, I was told that the new network card wasn't working either - now it must be my computer! I asked if he tried to enable the motherboard LAN although I knew he hadn't even looked: "Oh, we couldn't get it working either, I think your motherboard is duff."
He then went to assure me that at least my pc should be flying now that all the junk was gone... rolleyes

At home I attached the bare minimum of leads and swithched the pc on, expecting to see the welcome screen in only a few seconds: My 1.5GB ADM isn't the fastest on the planet but it's pretty fast, even when several programs load at start-up. Instead I was greeted by a screen telling me that there is a problem wiith Windows and to choose either safe mode or normal boot. Not thinking it through, I thought that the engineer had simply "pulled the plug" instead of letting windows to wind itself down.... The speed of boot-up was astounding! I have only seen such speed in my 486, after lots of junk left by previous people that I didn't know how to get rid of them! :mad

I have had lots of bad experience with these guys, selling things as new that are not, or installing different hardware than specified (slower processors or poorer quality motherboard) but it is a small town and this time I didn't have the skill of fixing things myself, so I had to take the risk. Ok, there was a message suggesting that Windows is to blame, but now I'm suspiciaous and want to check the hardware is the same that went in.

I could open the bonnet but I am weary of taking things apart, just to see the names and numbers and I don't have any thermal paste lying around. Besides, not all information can be seen just by looking. I know XP gives some specs but I used to find a program in my old machine called SiSoft Sandra more thorough and user-friendly. Even the free version had basic bench marking utility and lots more would be enabled if you paid for it. It also recognised some software like OS and of course drivers.

I don't know if Sandra is still around or if it is still free but if it is, is there a download link from this site? Otherwise, can you suggest a free program that is easy to use also by novice but has more features if one wants (to pay for them)?

 

Thanks, zbd21, for the link; Ithought it must be somewhere on this site but I was too tired and distraught to look for it... Yes, you are quite right, I would never use that shope again if I was in my right mind, but I was desperate: there are very few shops around, let alone somewhere I could go by car (I've got a full tower made of metal that is bulky and weighs a ton) and I wanted to drop it for repairs on my way to college. I have been so angry and distraught about the state of affairs and my stupidity. All I can think of now is to give them one more chance of getting it right, before going any further. But it means that I cannot work, while I am seriously going to miss the final dead line.

This has sparked me to consider buying a laptop, a purchase I was planning to put off another few months. The most taxing things I can think of using it for, is image editing and watching DVDs - and usually I have about 10 web pages and applications open at the same time... So, I don't need a super-performer but as I don't think I would upgrade it until it wears out, I would like some future proofing, such as core 2 duo and enough memory for when I am forced to install Vista to use desired applications.

As it happend, I bought my weekly computer mag fix and found an ad that sounds like it could answer my present woes, if the company is as good as it promises and fulfills its promise of next day delivery: http://www.cheap-it.com/pages/laptops.asp From these I am interested in three models.

1) Toshiba A105 has the fastest processor and is dual core.
2) Philips X54 has slightly slower processor and hard drive but has dedicated graphics.
3) Toshiba A105-S4284 is practically the same as the other Toshiba but with slightly slower processor and smaller hard drive and so is also £50 cheaper.

what do you think would give best "furture proofing" and best price-performance ratio?

 

There is also this one, which is a whole £100 cheaper than Toshiba A105 or Philips X54 - but it has the dreaded Vista (at least it is premium):

HP Pavillion DV6226
Intel Core Duo T2060 1.66mhz, 1024MB DDR2 Ram, 120gb Hard Disk, 15.4" WXGA Bright View Display, Dual Layer DVD-RW DVD Burner, Multi Media Remote Control, Discreet Headphones, 256MB Intel Graphics Accelerator, 802.11g Wireless lan, Altec lansing Stereo Sound, 5 in 1 Memory card reader, Superb HP Imprint Finish & Integrated Microphone, Universal Serial Bus ,VISTA PREMIUM operating sytem