Yoko

Question:
My computer has begun to show some signs of instability and I think it is my processor. But how can I find out for sure? (05/10/2006)

Answer:

If it is a hardware issue then it can be a little more complicated in determining just exactly what is causing the problem. There are however ways of testing the systems stability on its various components. One of the best programs to let you know just exactly what the problem is, is called "Prime 95". This is a program that is designed to test almost every aspect of your CPU and memory, so as you can imagine it has a lot of options.

From now, we want you to launch Prime95. Download the latest version from here and save it on your desktop. If you have a dual core or quad core CPU, create 2 or 4 folders named Prime0, Prime1, Prime2 and Prime3. Open the zip file you have downloaded and extract all the files and copy them in the 4 folders you’ve created.

Launch Prime95.exe in the “Prime0” folder, click on “just stress testing”. In ”advanced”, click on affinity, and un-tick “Let program run on any CPU” and enter “0”. Click on “ok”. Now go in “options” and click on “torture test...”. Select Custom and enter “300” in the box “Memory to use (in MB):”.

Now do the same with the 3 others: the only thing which changes is that for prime95 from Prime1, set “Affinity” to “1”, for the one from “Prime2” set it to “2”, etc...

Then, let your computer run. Report any error which can be shown in Prime95 or message on a blue screen. If it turns off please inform us as to how long it was on for.

If any of the programs will show errors, then its time to check what is wrong - CPU or Memory.
- Go to 'Options' > 'Torture test' > 'Small FFTs' to test the CPU only.
- Go to 'Options' > 'Torture test' > 'In place large FFTs' to test the memory only

Report any error which can be shown in Prime95 or message on a blue screen.