Question about diagnostic equipment...

[ddeder]

What sort of diagnostic equipment might a small town PC shop use to diagnose problems with a computer? Is it just software such as benchmarking or are there devices that can be used to diagnose a problem with a computer?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[TunaBoo]

The #1 tool you have it your brain. I work for one for another 30 days or so.

Just be logical when looking at problems. A computer crashing? Try a new HD with a fresh install of windows. No luck? Try new ram - PSU - CPU - Mobo in that order. Of course make sure CPU is running at a decent temp and check HSF installation.

You dont need fancy tools to diagnose problems. Sure with tools I can tell what part of the motherboard is screwed up. We have some software here called microscope but I havent had to use it yet (7 months). I have solved every problem with logic

The only program I use is once in a while I run prime95 self tests. It tells me a computer is stable, and if I get errors I usually know it is a hardware problem, and not a windows/software problem (there are exceptions, messed up drivers can screw up prime95).

Cheerio.

 

[dkozloski]

If you can get the machine to run well enough to run diagnostics there is probably nothing wrong with it anyway. TunaBoo has it nailed, a good logical troubleshooting routine and maybe take a few notes as you go to keep track of where you are is the answer.

 

[jamarno]

Digital voltage meter, preferrably one that can track and record high-low values over time to find intermittents (or can tie to serial port and have computer record values), POST cards for ISA and PCI slots to record BIOS error codes, old DOS software to check memory (MEMTEST86) and I/O ports (computercraft.com, Craig Hart's website).

 

[TunaBoo]

<< Digital voltage meter, preferrably one that can track and record high-low values over time to find intermittents (or can tie to serial port and have computer record values), POST cards for ISA and PCI slots to record BIOS error codes, old DOS software to check memory (MEMTEST86) and I/O ports (computercraft.com, Craig Hart's website). >>



Do you think he needs this for a mom/pop? I never did. I had to test a serial port 1 time. Hooked up a known good serial device. it worked, woo woo. No need for a special card. If you have to do a TON of memory testers stand alone testers are pretty cool, and fairly cheap.

You do need a voltometer and a soldering iron and a hot glue gun for repairs though

 

[ddeder]

Sodering and gluing? What might I have to soder and glue??

 

[TunaBoo]

<< Sodering and gluing? What might I have to soder and glue?? >>



Lots of time a fan will go bad in a PSU, but the PSU itself is fine. Crack it open and solder a new fan in there. Also, you can solder in a pinch when you dont havea molax.

Hot glue I use a lot. For a front plastic panel that falls off a lot, a drop of hot glue will fix it like a charm. Also, internal speakers fall off a lot, and there is no conveient way besides hot glue to attach it back to the case.

 

[jamarno]

I don't think a POST card is necessary, but they're cheap and often give an indication even when the computer seems dead. A null modem cable is a good idea, but people who don't know much about computers will probably have problems configuring it.

A voltage meter that records values or talks to a serial port is cheap, and even Radio Shack and Sears sell them. They're good for finding intermittents, such as when a power supply is a bit too weak for the computer.

I don't use hot glue except on household projects, and sometimes the moisture in it can short pins at high frequencies.

 

[TunaBoo]

Hot glue short pins? huh? Im talking about glueing the internal speaker back in, how they usually come from the factory. Not glueing PCI cards in like some stupid people do.