System stability test software

[Funkstar]

Anyone got recomendations on software to stress test a PC?

I'd prefer a live CD rather than installing under Windows.

I'm having problems with my HTPC (have had for a while, but doing something about it mow). What i want to find out is if it is a hardware issue, or Windows/Drivers/etc.

Spec:
AMD AM2 4200+ Energy Efficient
Asrock AM2NF3-VSTA AM2 ATX
AGP 256MB XFX GF6200 DDR TV/DVI
1G DDR2 667 PC5300 CL5
Hauppauge Nova-T 500 PCI
Silverstone Stone 300W PFC PSU FANLESS
HFX HTPC passive case

- CPU connected to case for passive cooling
- Graphics card connected to case for passive cooling
- Passive chipset cooler replaced with zalman north bridge cooler

I don't have any fans in there, but thats the idea of the stupid case (you would never buy it otherwise, it's crap to work on). North bridge does run hot, but not unbearably so, everything else is fine as they connect to about 10KG of aluminium heat sync

Any sugestions?

[chuckskull]

Orthos is usually my pick it's blend test find problems pretty quick, there's a few others that will push CPU temps higher, but orthos gets everything hot, no idea about live CD's though.

[s_kinton]

I use Orthos too, but I dont think it can be used outside windows.

Its probably best to use a few programs, like HDTach or HDTune to check HDDs and memtest to check memory etc etc. That way you can find specific hardware faults

[Funkstar]

Thanks for those. I'll take a look at them if i get the time over the weekend.

[daniel.phillips]

Memtest is a good program and runs outside of Windows.

[Funkstar]

well i caved and installed a fan.

Didn't make any difference. Had it pointing at the north bridge. Temperatures dropped massively in the case (not a surprise) but the instability remained.

pulled the boot drive and re-installed from scratch on another drive, it's been up for over 36 hours now which is at least 30 hours more than it did before

The new drive is a 2.5" Travelstar so is much quieter (all be it slower) than the 200gig Seagate that was in there before.

I doubt the drive was doing it, so it must have been a borked windows install. MediaPortal also seems much, much nicer when watching TV, although that could be the newer Hauppauge Nova-T 500 drivers.