testing a pc with no OS

[Yaka]

thinking of ebaying some kit, and i am wanting to test some pcs which have no
os installed. is there any app or some thing that tests a pc with no os on the hard drive? would save me alot of time faffing around if there is

 

[Shovel]

How about one of those Linux test-drive CDs? Boots the entire desktop OS from a CD.

See LiveCDs here: http://releases.ubuntu.com/5.10/

 

[Yaka]

i know jack about linux, only ever tried linux for a day when i got the PS2 linuix pak

 

[Earl]

It boots up and loads just like windows, you don't need to know anything complicated

 

[stormrider]

Can try Barts PE:
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
Havent used it much but can be very handy.

 

[Shovel]

i know jack about linux, only ever tried linux for a day when i got the PS2 linuix pak

Hmm, that needn't be a problem. Like I say, it should boot you to a desktop environment without much hassle. Can you be more specific about what it is you want to test? Someone might be able to give instructions if necessary.

 

[megadaisy]

knoppix mate - download iso - burn cd - boot off it. Software is all a breeze to use and the drivers etc all self load - totally plug and play.
www.knoppix.org

very handy thing to have!
(you can for eg read a ntfs drive and burn the files to cd)

 

[Yaka]

Hmm, that needn't be a problem. Like I say, it should boot you to a desktop environment without much hassle. Can you be more specific about what it is you want to test? Someone might be able to give instructions if necessary.

just wana test if the hdd is ok and ram gfx card are working fine. as i said i want ebay a few pcs i have lying around with no os isntalled on the hdd

thanx will check out those utils later tonite

 

[wyrd_fish]

if your XP install shits it's self knoppix rappidly becomes your best friend


you can do a check disk with the XP install cd and there are a load of usful apps on the ubcd