Affordable Diagnostic Software Package

Today, Jims writes:

Can you recommend a comprehensive, affordable diagnostic software package for a home based computer repair service?

Thank you in advance for your time.

I appreciate your articles and information.

Way back when, I was a happy user of the TuffTest utilities. And to this day, you can buy either the bootable solution or the Windows based option. It should be noted that I do not believe the Windows based BCM Diagnostics Pro works with Vista, however. Perhaps compatibility mode takes care of this - never tested it. Works great with XP and 9X machines though.

TuffTest Pro on the other hand, will work on anything as it is a bootable disk to run full diagnostics, often using loop-back connectors if you should so desire. Originally designed to boot from a floppy disk, today you can use undisker and Nero/Roxio to burn it to a bootable CD. With all of this said, these days I am sure that when you buy a new POST card, you would likely end up with an insert advertising the latest software utilties advertised plain as day.

To be completely honest, during my own past years in PC repair, I found it more reliable to use a trusty multi-meter, my wits and little bit of the process of elimination than putting too much stock into software solutions.

What do you, the Lockergnome readers think? Software or experience or both?