Diagnostic software s for troubleshooting PC Name any two hardware tool and software tools used for trouble shooting of PC. (Any 2 Hardware tools -2M, Any 2 Software Tools 2M) Hardware tools Analog Oscilloscope Digital Oscilloscope Logic Analyzer Logic Probe Software tools Microsoft diagnostics DOS MSD command. Norton utilities. CHECKIT. Quick analysis (QA+). ATDIAGS POST Power on Self Test (POST) Give the test sequence of post. (4Marks for correct sequence) 1. CPU test 2. BIOS ROM Checksum test 3. Timer 1 test 4. DMA controller test 5. 16 KB DRAM test 6. Interrupt controller initialization 7. Interrupt controller test 8. Timer 0 initialization 9. CRT controller test 10. DRAM after 16 KB test 11. Keyboard test 12. Disk drive test Give the meaning of following POST beep codes- (1 mark each) i. 1 short beep ii. No beep iii. Continuous beep iv. 2 short beeps (Answer is as per IBM POST beep codes. Any other correct answer may also be considered) POST beep Codes i 1 short beep ii No beep iii Continuous beep Meaning Normal POST system is OK Fuse blown, Power supply, system board problem, disconnected CPU, or disconnected speaker Improper output voltages from SMPS, Power supply, system board, or may be RAM problem, keyboard problem 1 P a g e
iv 2 short beeps POST error error code shown on screen Active and Passive Preventive Maintenance Procedure Write Active, Passive maintenance procedures. (Any 4 points for Active- 2M, Any 4 points for Passive- 2M) Active preventive maintenance procedure 1. An active preventive maintenance includes several steps that promote a longer, trouble free life for your PC. 2. It includes several procedures to clean and lubricate all the major components, cleaning all boards, connectors, contacts etc. 3. It also describes similar procedures for different peripheral devices such as HDD, FDD, keyboard, printer, monitor etc. 4. It includes performing backups, antivirus and antispyware scans. 5. Cleaning a system 6. Regular and through cleaning of the system removes any layer of dust and benefits the system in the long run. 7. Dust acts as thermal insulator, which prevents proper system cooling, 8. Excessive shortens the life of system components. 9. Dust can contain conductive elements that can cause partial short circuit in the system. 10. Other elements in the dust can accelerate corrosion of electrical contacts. 11. Following cleaning tools and solutions can be used to clean the internal components, peripherals and the boards inside the system. Passive Preventive maintenance procedures may include 1. Examining the operating environment 2. Check Heating & cooling (controlled temperatures) 3. Make sure the PC is not switched ON and OFF many times - Power cycling 4. Precautions against Static Electricity 5. Make sure to have minimum or less Power Line Noise. 6. Keep the computer away from Radio frequency Interference 7. Take measures to guard PC against Dust & pollutants Differentiate between active and passive preventive maintenance with example. (Any four differences, 1 M each) Active Passive Preventive Maintenance Preventive Maintenance Active preventive Maintenance includes Passive preventive maintenance includes procedures that promote longer, trouble free precautionary steps you can take to protect a life for the PC. system from the environment. This type of maintenance involves the periodic cleaning of the system and its This type of maintenance involves the protection of the system from the 2 P a g e
components, as well as performing back environment, such as using powerprotection ups, antivirus and antispyware scans and devices; ensuring a clean, software related procedures temperature-controlled environment; and preventing excessive vibration. It involves Cleaning and lubricating components Reseating chips Maintaining Hard Disk Backing-up Data It involves Protection from physical environment Protection from electrical environment For e.g. taking back up of important data, Deleting temporary files, Installing antivirus software, Running defragmentation program For e.g. Using power protection devices, ensuring clean temperature controlled environment, preventing excessive vibrations Draw and explain the use of logic probe. (Diagram 2 marks, Explanation 2 marks) It is a hand held low cost test equipment with which nearly ninety percent of the faults can be diagnosed without the use of oscilloscope. It is used to find the logic state of any node in a circuit including steady states and pulses. The logic probe is a small device with a sampling tip, and a number of LEDs that indicate the state of the signal connected to the sampling tip. Two "direct" LEDs show whether the signal is high (red LED), low (green LED), off unconnected (no LED). If the signal switches quickly between the two states, both LEDs seem to be on continuously (although they aren't). 3 P a g e
Course Code CW-4-G Subject CHM (17428) Subject Teacher Mr. Pise S. P. A pulse logic detects transition to a state (HIGH or LOW) and generates a 0.5sec pulse lighting up separate "pulse" LEDs. A state change can be detected, even if it is only a short pulse invisible on the direct LEDs. Additionally a second signal input can be used to latch the main signal at a low-high or low-high transition of the latch input Logic Pulsar (Diagram 1 marks, Explanation 3 marks) Fig: Logic Pulser It is used to inject pulses into the circuit using logic pulser. A logic pulser is designated to test circuit reaction by delivering a logical high (+5 V) pulse into a circuit. Logic probe and pulser are used together to test ICs and verify truth table. It has ability to introduce a changing signal into circuit without desoldering or cutting wires The above figure shows several way to test logic gates using the probe and pulser. Pulser injects pulses to output of AND gate and probe should checking or indicating a change at the input to the NAND gate. Preliminary Checks (2 marks each) 1. Can t read from C drive Check cables for continuity and proper mating Check for drive motor activation. Check +12V power output of SMPS Check data cable. Check CMOS setup. 2. Junk characters displayed on the screen It may be due to improper keyboard section Hence check keyboard controller as well as keyboard cable 4 P a g e
Course Code CW-4-G Subject CHM (17428) Subject Teacher Mr. Pise S. P. It may also be due to improper display section. Check video RAM, display adapter as well as monitor cable. Which different testing are performed by diagnostic software?(01-mark each) A diagnostic program is a program written for the purpose of locating problems with the software, hardware, or any combination of both in a system, or a network of systems. Diagnostic programs provide solutions to the user to solve issues. POST: The power on self test operates whenever any PC is powered. These routines are contained within the motherboard ROM and the ROM as well as ROMs on expansion cards. Manufacturer supplied diagnostics software: This manufacturers specific software normally consists of a suite of test that thoroughly examines the system. In some cases, these utilities are included with the system, or we can download these diagnostics from the manufacturer s online services. Peripheral diagnostics software: Used for hardware devices, network adapters, sound cards etc. Operating system diagnostic software: Operating systems, such as windows 9x/Me and Windows NT/2000/XP, include a variety of diagnostic software utilities designed to identify and monitor the performance of various components in the computer. Aftermarket diagnostic software: A number of manufacturers make genral purpose diagnostics software PCs. This type of software is often bundled with other system maintenance and repair utilities to form a general PC software toolkit. 5 P a g e