Toshiba Satellite Diagnostic Tools
By Anne Hirsh
Toshiba laptops include a built-in diagnostic tool so you can troubleshoot items on your Satellite computer that do not appear to work properly. The tool cannot fix the problems it identifies, but it does offer advice for you to fix them by other means. The Toshiba PC Diagnostic Tool can be found under "Utilities" in the "Toshiba" folder on your programs list.
Basic Information Screen
When you open the Toshiba PC Diagnostic Tool, the computer searches itself for information on the hardware that is installed on the system. This screen may take a while to populate itself, but the information contained there is very useful if you need to identify your exact component models for replacement or repair. This screen can also be used to check for missing items. For example, if you have an extra RAM chip installed and it does not show up on this screen, that indicates the chip is either not properly installed or that it is not being recognized by the system for some other reason.
Hardware Diagnosis
The diagnostic tool is accessed by clicking the "Diagnostic tool" tab next to the basic information tab. The tool will run a check on all of the built-in systems on your computer, such as the display, memory, processor, sound card and modem. You can set it to check individual items rather than the entire system if you have a specific concern. The diagnostic process is somewhat interactive. You may be asked to identify whether you hear sound from each speaker or whether a display was shown.
Repair Tools
Once the diagnosis has run, items that are working properly will be labeled "Pass," while items that are not working properly will be labeled "Fail." Any items not installed on your computer will be labeled "Skip." Once you have diagnosed your laptop's issues, you can choose whether to try to repair them yourself or take your laptop to a licensed repair technician. The tool allows you to save the results as a text file, which you can print out and bring to a repair technician to help pinpoint your Satellite's issues. If you choose to perform repairs yourself, the PC Diagnostic Tool window has a direct link to the Windows Device Manager, which allows you to find more information on each device and download updated drivers.
References
Writer Bio
Anne Hirsh has been writing and editing for over 10 years. She has hands-on experience in cooking, visual arts and theater as well as writing experience covering wellness and animal-related topics. She also has extensive research experience in marketing, small business, Web development and SEO. Hirsh has a bachelor's degree in technical theater and English and post-baccalaureate training in writing and computer software.