How to Troubleshoot a PC Using Linux

At the heart of the Linux advantage is that it is open source. That means you have some of the best minds coming to your rescue when you’re in distress. Linux is great to rescue computers from problems and not spend too much money on the whole process.

If you’re looking to troubleshoot your PC using Linux, you have to start with creating a disc. A CD will carry all your .reg files and you use these files to fix issues on your computer. Alternately, you may load all your files on a USB drive or a pen drive that is so much simpler and easier to carry around. Why this is so cool is because you can boot a system straight from either option without going into the computer’s records. This means both a testdrive and also going where your PC’s operating system didn’t quite work.

Download the .iso file that you want to use and store it on the device of your choice. We’re suggesting Ubuntu or if you want to use a USB, then UNetbootin. Remember to ensure that you have an uninterrupted and fast internet connection for all this to work. Alternately, you can order in the CD or USB and use it.

Ubuntu is the Linux desktop and is great when you need to create custom applications for the specific problems on your PC. If you couple this with a Windows 7 then system restoring becomes easy to do in an uncooperative PC. For instance, once you’ve got Ubuntu installed, it is a matter of running some commands to do simple password resets.

For hardware issues, you will need to run and test hardware in a Linux space. If it works, you’ll understand that the issues with your PC are most probably caused by a Windows issue- perhaps drivers or viruses. If you need more in-depth work, use memtest86+ to take a closer look at the RAM or the CPU burn to check if the issues are motherboard or CPU related.

Ubuntu is also useful to ‘clone’ a clean drive where it will make an image and then transfer to a system or network for safekeeping. You can also recover deleted files and data using Ubuntu. This program will also let you wipe a drive clean so no one can use it again.

Perhaps the most important use of Linux is to virus scans and repair. There are some great versions for Linux, like Avast. If you need to move your files to another system or drive, Ubuntu is useful here as well.

Here are some more options for you to consider. If your issues on the PC are with hardware, then you should check out UBCB. Programs like PartedMagic and OTOH will handle any hard drive problem you might have on your computer. For instance, use photorec or dd-rescue for the all-important data recovery, chntpw for password issues, rsync to backup content in an alternate computer or hard drive and gparted to partition tour hardware.

We must also talk of Hiren’sBootCD. It has all the tools you’ll ever need like Remove Fake AV, MBAM, SAS and Combofix apart from Bios, Driver and cleaning tools and NT offline password changers.

Linux is great for trouble shooting. So do check it out, today.

This is a guest post by Tina Reeves. She is an experienced guest writer who handles topics about technology, internet and cable and all the latest tech news. You can also get more information about internet and cable by checking the cox tv guide today.

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