Windows XP diagnostic question?

July 19, 2009

My father’s computer is very slow and it makes a grinding noise when it has to process information. I’m pretty sure it’s not a problem on the software end. I think maybe the RAM is toast or the hard drive damaged. Is there a diagnostic tool in XP (or maybe in BIOS) that can run checks on my hardware to see if they are performing as they should?

Toshiba software on computer–which don’t I need?

June 21, 2009

I have a Toshiba laptop that I’m trying to free-up space on. In Add/Remove Programs, there are many entries from Toshiba–which are completely necessary and which are not, and what are they used for?

Synaptics Pointing Device Driver
TOSHIBA Assist
TOSHIBA ConfigFree
Toshiba Controls Utility
TOSHIBA PC Diagnostic Tool
Toshiba Registration
TOSHIBA SD Memory Card Format
TOSHIBA Software Upgrades
Toshiba Touchpad Utility
Toshiba Utility

Also, if a program is not necessary, is it beneficial? If so, how do I run it?