Troubleshooting After a Power Surge: How to Test Your PC Components

Experiencing hardware failure can be incredibly frustrating, especially when a power surge seems to have caused the issue. Recently, my power supply unit (PSU) suffered a malfunction during a surge—even with a surge protector in place. The computer frequently shut down under heavy load, and an unpleasant burning smell became apparent. Thankfully, a new power supply is on the way, but the question remained: how can I ensure the rest of my components are still functioning properly?

Assessing the Damage: Tips for Testing Your Components

When it comes to diagnosing potential issues after a power failure, there are several best practices to follow. Here are some steps you can take to determine the health of your CPU and other vital components:

1. Initial Visual Inspection

Before diving into any testing software, start with a physical examination. Look for any visible signs of damage, such as burnt components or unusual odors emanating from the motherboard or graphics card. Check for loose connections or frayed cables, as these can also lead to problems.

2. Utilize Stress Testing Software

After visually inspecting your hardware, it’s time to assess performance through stress testing. Programs like CPU-Z can be used to put your CPU under load and gauge its behavior. However, be cautious—since your previous attempts ended in shutdowns, monitor the temperature closely and be prepared to stop the test immediately if you notice any signs of distress.

3. Run Diagnostic Utilities

In addition to stress testing, consider using computer diagnostic tools to monitor various hardware metrics. There are utilities available that can help you check the health of your CPU, RAM, and other components. For instance, tools like CrystalDiskInfo can be very useful for assessing the health of storage drives, while MemTest86 is great for checking RAM integrity.

4. Perform Disk Checks

Since I ran a disk check (chkdsk) prior to identifying the PSU issue, I found that my drives were functioning fine. This utility can be an effective way to ensure your storage devices are not corrupted or damaged. If everything checks out, it reduces the likelihood of data loss or further complications.

5. Monitor System Behavior Post-Installation

After installing your new PSU, keep a close eye on how your system behaves under normal use and load. Engaging in regular tasks or running games that previously caused issues will help confirm that the new