Use your mobile phone to diagnose problems on your PC

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Many people have as their home one or more old mobile phones stored in a drawer "Just in case," and in the end, they don't use them for anything real. Those phones can become very useful tools for your computer, especially if you use them to monitor system performance and detect problems before it's too late.

With very little effort you can use your smartphone as external PC resource monitorYou can view temperatures, CPU and GPU power consumption, memory usage, disk status, and even get clues as to whether the problem is hardware-related, Windows-related, or network-related. And all this without having to pay a technical service unless absolutely necessary.

Turn your mobile phone into a PC resource monitor

When you notice that the computer It's running slower than usual, the fans are roaring Or everything freezes intermittently, the first thing to do is check what's happening internally: CPU at 100%, memory at full capacity, graphics card overloaded, disk constantly reading… Windows includes tools like Task Manager or Game Bar that display some of this information, but they aren't always convenient if you're playing games, working in full screen, or want to view it on another device.

A very practical solution is to use your mobile phone as a kind of always visible external panelwhere you can see in real time the CPU, GPU, RAM usage, temperature, FPS, fan speed, and other key parameters. This allows you to instantly detect which component is overheating when your PC starts to struggle.

For this purpose, combining a PC application with a mobile application is particularly effective. Among the available options, one of the most highly recommended is pitikappIt acts as a bridge between the computer's monitoring data and the smartphone's screen. It's free and ad-free, making it especially convenient to have running in the background.

The general operation is simple: the Windows app It gathers data from other monitoring utilities (for example, MSI Afterburner, Core Temp, GPU-Z, and similar programs) and sends them over the local Wi-Fi network to the Pitikapp app installed on your phone. This transforms your phone into a dashboard of personalized widgets displaying all your PC's information.

Install and configure Pitikapp and the monitoring tools

To get everything up and running you will need Two pieces of software: one for Windows and one for your mobile device.First, download the Pitikapp PC application from its official website and install it like any other program. Once finished, it's advisable to restart your computer to ensure all services and permissions are properly applied.

The Pitikapp desktop app It does not generate temperature or usage data on its own.What it does is read information already displayed by other tools, such as Core Temp, GPU-Z, or especially MSI Afterburner. Therefore, in addition to Pitikapp, install at least one comprehensive monitoring utility. MSI Afterburner is one of the most complete and free options, allowing access to CPU, GPU, and other system sensor performance data.

The first time you run Pitikapp on your PC, Windows will ask for permission for the application pass through the firewallIt is essential that you accept, as communication with your mobile device is done through the local network. If you block access, your phone will not be able to connect to the server that the app creates on your computer.

It is also important that both the computer and the smartphone are connected to the same WiFi networkIf the PC is connected via Ethernet cable, there's no problem as long as it's connected to the same router or local network as the mobile device. Once the application detects both devices on the same network, the connection is usually established automatically when you open the app on your phone.

When Pitikapp starts on the mobile At first you will see a blank screenBecause there are no modules configured yet. To add them, open the application on Windows and click the "+" symbol in the upper left corner. There you can choose which plugin you want to add, for example, the one for MSI Afterburner to display graphics card and processor data.

Repeat that process for each type of information you want to see on your mobile: GPU temperature, fan speed, RPM, GPU and CPU usage, CPU temperature, number of FPS If you're playing a game, etc. Each plugin corresponds to a block of data that Pitikapp will send to the phone in real time.

If you're interested in displaying metrics that MSI Afterburner does not provide But if you need other tools (for example, a specific disk monitoring program or additional motherboard sensors), you just need to install that application, enable it to expose its sensors, and then add the corresponding plugin within Pitikapp. The desktop interface will allow you to rearrange all those modules to create a clear and organized panel.

Widgets can be placed on the phone screen move freely with your fingerAdjusting them to the most comfortable position for you. However, if you want to change the size, colors, or fonts, you'll have to do so from the Windows application, which is where the final design is defined. Ideally, place your phone in a stand near the monitor and leave it plugged in so it doesn't run out of battery. Some people even attach it to the PC tower, although it's more practical to have it visible right next to the main screen.

Native Windows tools for diagnosing the PC

Although using your mobile phone as a monitor is very helpful, you shouldn't forget that Windows already integrates several diagnostic utilities which is worth knowing before tackling more complex solutions. Especially in Windows 10 and Windows 11, you have access to very powerful tools through the command line.

One of the most important is the System File Checker, known as SFC. It is run from Command Prompt or PowerShell with administrator privileges. The key command is sfc /scannow, which initiates a deep analysis of all protected operating system files in search of corruption or improper modifications.

CFS acts as Windows kernel integrity auditorIt not only scans, but also compares what's installed with a clean copy stored in the system component store. If it detects a system file corrupted by a failed update, a power outage, or malware, it automatically replaces it with the official version. This can fix crashes, browser errors, unexpected application closures, and even some blue screens without requiring a full system format.

If, at the end of the SFC analysis, it indicates that there are errors that has not been able to repairThis usually means that the system image is damaged at a deeper level. In that case, you should use another built-in tool: DISM (Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management), which focuses on reviewing and correcting the overall structure of the Windows image.

DISM is also used from the command line and has several options. One of the most useful combinations for repairing errors that SFC hasn't fixed involves using parameters such as /CheckHealth, /ScanHealth y /RestoreHealth about the system image. However, the syntax can be somewhat intimidating for users unfamiliar with the console.

To make it easier, there are small third-party programs that They wrap DISM in a graphical interface with clear buttons (for example, utilities created by communities like Deskmodder). These will show you options like "Check," "Scan," or "Restore" that internally trigger the appropriate commands, eliminating the need to memorize all the parameters. The ultimate goal is to repair damaged system files by downloading fresh copies from official Microsoft servers when necessary.

Another very interesting native feature is the tool for Windows memory diagnosticsThis tool is designed to check for RAM failure. When you run it, the system will prompt you to restart your computer to run a test outside of Windows, which typically takes between 5 and 10 minutes. After the restart, the system will inform you if any problems were detected with the memory modules.

Disk and storage diagnostics with CrystalDiskInfo

One of the most critical components of a computer is the hard drive where you store your data. A disk failure can cause anything from intermittent errors and slowdowns to the total loss of files. Luckily, most modern HDDs and SSDs include the technology S.M.A.R.T., capable of reporting on the internal health of the unit.

Free application CrystalDiskInfo It's one of the most commonly used tools for reading SMART information. After installation, it will display a list of your drives (internal and external) along with a status indicator. It uses a very clear color system: if it appears in blue, it means the drive is in good condition and, barring any surprises, you shouldn't worry.

If the status is displayed in orangeThe program is warning you that the drive is starting to show signs of wear or errors that could worsen. It's the perfect sign to buy a new hard drive, clone your data as soon as possible, and avoid the risk of your PC not booting one day.

When the indicator switches to RedThe situation is now critical: the hard drive may be on the verge of complete failure or have so many errors that data access is no longer reliable. At this point, the priority is to try to copy the most urgent data to another storage device and consider the hard drive unusable for everyday purposes.

In addition to color, CrystalDiskInfo reveals details such as temperature, operating hoursNumber of reassigned sectors, firmware, interface, etc. Checking these metrics from time to time helps you anticipate potential disasters and know if the PC's stuttering and noises are really coming from a failing hard drive.

CPU, GPU and sensors: total control of internal components

To analyze in depth whether the bottleneck is in the processor, motherboard, RAM or graphics card, there are several very complete free tools that complement the use of the mobile phone as a monitor very well.

On one side is CPU-ZThis classic utility provides a very detailed summary of the CPU: model, number of cores and threads, real-time frequency, voltages, caches, supported instructions, etc. It also offers specific tabs for the motherboard, RAM (type, speed, latencies), and, in many cases, basic GPU information.

CPU-Z is especially useful if you have done overclocking or voltage adjustments And you want to verify that the values ​​applied in practice are those you've configured in the BIOS or other software. Watching the CPU frequency fluctuate, along with the voltages, helps you detect instabilities related to overly aggressive configurations.

When the problem seems to be with the graphics card, the ideal solution is to complement it with GPU-ZThis tool focuses entirely on the GPU and its VRAM memory: chip name, manufacturer, memory type, bandwidth, number of shaders, ROPs, compatible technologies and, above all, real-time sensors of temperature, GPU usage, power consumption, clock speeds and fan speed.

With GPU-Z you can check if the graphics card is under load thermal throttling (Its frequency drops due to excessive temperature), whether the workload is distributed evenly, or if there's a bottleneck caused by the CPU. You'll also see if the fans are responding as they should or if they fall short until the chip overheats.

To get a comprehensive overview of temperatures and voltages across almost all equipment, a highly recommended option is HWMonitorThis program collects data from the CPU sensors (core by core), GPU, motherboard, disks, case, and other devices, including fan RPM and the load percentage on each component.

Very much in the same vein as HWMonitor, there are other utilities such as HWiNFO In addition to displaying sensors, they allow you to view the installed hardware in a structured way: CPU, GPU, chipsets, buses, active CPU configurations, etc. They are ideal for detecting, for example, if a power-saving function is disabled, if a maximum frequency is not being reached, or if a fan is not spinning when it should.

If you want to go a step further in identifying processor problems, especially in systems with Intel CPUs, you can use Intel Processor Diagnostic ToolThis official tool subjects the processor to a series of stress tests and verifies that all its internal units are functioning correctly, also checking temperature, frequencies, and enabled features. If the tests are not completed successfully, it is a clear indication that the problem may originate from the processor itself.

Regarding RAM, when you suspect that crashes, blue screens, or random errors might be coming from there, the classic approach is... Memtest86 +It is run by booting the PC from a USB drive prepared with the tool and performs different sets of tests on the RAM, detecting defective cells and stability problems that do not always appear in normal use.

Finally, to check the GPU's stability under heavy load, you can use FurmarkThis application is designed to stress the graphics card to its maximum potential. If artifacts, crashes, restarts, or runaway temperatures appear during this test, it's quite likely that the source of your problems is related to the video card or its cooling system.

Inventory and general analysis of the system

Beyond real-time monitoring, it's very useful to have a full hardware and software report installed on the PC. This helps you identify faulty drivers, components not detected correctly, or unusual configurations.

Among the most popular tools is Speccy (from Piriform), which clearly displays information about the processor, motherboard, RAM, hard drives, operating system, graphics card, sound card, and network. It allows you to check at a glance whether everything that should be installed is correctly installed and meets the required specifications.

If you want something even more comprehensive, you can turn to AIDA64 on Windows oa Hardinfo In Linux, these programs generate very detailed reports on every subsystem of the computer: from the exact motherboard model and BIOS to supported graphics APIs, sound codecs, CPU performance comparisons, details of connected monitors, and much more.

In the field of general diagnostic software, it also stands out SysInspector from ESET, which analyzes processes, drivers, registry entries, network connections and other system elements, helping to locate irregularities, potentially unwanted software or suspicious configurations.

This entire inventory is very useful when your PC It doesn't behave as it should without a clear hardware failureSeeing which drivers you have, which processes start with the system, or how your installation is structured gives you clues about conflicts, leftover programs, or unnecessary services that could be hindering performance.

Processes and malware: when the problem is in the software

Not all PC problems stem from a faulty physical component. Often, performance drops due to... poorly designed processes, resource-intensive programs, adware, or hidden malwareThis is where several diagnostic utilities focused on processes and safety come into play.

A very powerful tool is Process Explorer, from the Sysinternals family (owned by Microsoft). It is a kind of advanced Task Manager that displays in a hierarchical view all system processes, their CPU, RAM, disk and other resource consumption, as well as which files and DLLs they have open.

Process Explorer allows you to enable an integration with VirusTotalEnabling this feature in the options menu adds a column showing the detection percentage for each process, based on the platform's antivirus engines. This allows you to quickly see if a specific executable raises security concerns.

Another recommended column is the one that indicates From which system path is it being executed? each process (Autostart Location). If you see something strange running from a suspicious folder, you can investigate further or simply terminate it by right-clicking and selecting the Kill Process option, always being careful not to close critical system processes.

In the View > System Information menu, Process Explorer provides an overview of the total CPU usage, memory, disk activity, and networkThis is useful for quickly identifying any overloaded components. Combined with the resource monitor displayed on your mobile device, this helps you cross-reference data and refine your diagnosis.

Another similar program is System ExplorerIt also adds specific views for open connections and ports, showing which service or application is using each one. This is very useful for detecting unusual outgoing communications or services you didn't even know you had installed.

Regarding malware, one of the best-known complementary utilities is MalwarebytesIt's not intended to replace your main antivirus, but rather to add an extra layer of detection for certain types of malicious code that sometimes slip through. Running a scan with Malwarebytes on a PC that's behaving erratically helps to Rule out infections before blaming the hardware.

Network and Internet: diagnostics when the connection fails

Another source of headaches is connection problems: WiFi outages, inconsistent speed, extremely high ping, or devices disappearing from the local network. For these situations, there are specific tools that will help you determine if the problem lies with your PC, the router, or the network itself.

One of the most comfortable is Wifi analyzerAvailable for both mobile devices and the Microsoft Store for Windows, this app analyzes nearby Wi-Fi networks and displays graphs of channels, signal strength (dBm), and spectrum saturation, allowing you to choose the cleanest channel for your router.

With WiFi Analyzer you can check if your The signal is weak in a specific area of ​​the house.This will help you determine if you're sharing a channel with too many neighboring networks or if the speed drop is simply due to being too far from the access point. If you have multiple routers or repeaters, this will also help you find the best placement to improve coverage.

To explore the local network in a more technical way, you can use Angry IP Scanner o Advanced IP ScannerBoth applications scan a range of IP addresses and show which devices respond, which ports they have open, latency (ping), and, in the case of Advanced IP Scanner, additional options such as opening web management interfaces, connecting via SSH, or sending Wake-on-LAN packets.

All of this helps you identify IP hopping, ghost devices, services exposed for no reason or simply to know if a PC is not seen on the network due to a configuration problem or because it is directly turned off or frozen.

System maintenance, cleaning and organization

Part of the diagnosis also involves checking the state of the operating system itself: temporary files, registry, disk space, and data organization. A computer overloaded with digital junk becomes slow and prone to errors, even if the hardware is perfectly fine.

Among the most popular tools is CCleanerThis tool, when used correctly, allows you to remove temporary files, caches, and other remnants that only take up space. It also includes a registry cleaner capable of removing obsolete entries that can sometimes cause unusual behavior.

Another very practical use is WinDirStatA visual hard drive usage analyzer. It scans your drives and displays a color-coded block map showing which folders and file types are taking up the most space. You can locate them in seconds. giant folders you had forgotten, duplicate backups or video collections that fill up the SSD.

For specific screen problems, such as the dreaded stuck pixels (which remain on a fixed color), there is the web tool JScreenFixBy using a pattern of rapidly changing pixels, it attempts to "unblock" those subpixels that are not responding properly. This should not be confused with dead pixels, which remain completely black and cannot be fixed by software.

In addition to these maintenance tools, it's always a good idea to take advantage of cloud backup services, such as OneDrive integrated into WindowsHaving your photos and documents synchronized greatly reduces the drama if a disk eventually fails or you have to reinstall the system from scratch.

With all these tools, both on PC and mobile, you have at your fingertips a A complete arsenal for diagnosing almost any problem with your computer Without needing to be a professional technician. Your smartphone can go from being forgotten in a drawer to becoming the screen where you see, in real time, how your computer is performing while you check the status of the hardware, Windows, network, and the software you install daily with free programs.