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Micro 2000 Inc. has patterned it's diagnostics products after supermini and mainframe diagnostic routines that run independently of the operating system. One of the quality products Micro 2000 Inc. produces is... |
The Universal Diagnostics Toolkitis actually a Hardware and Software combination consisting of two products that are available from Micro 2000. The Toolkit has Micro-Scope 6.1, the software component; POST-Probe, the hardware components, and each come with their own manuals. Software is provided on 5.25 and 3.5 bootable diskettes due to the range of computers that are able to run the diagnostics software.This is a supercharged suite of professional-level tools for technicians and power-users. I was impressed by the thoroughness of the documentation provided in the Toolkit. The Introduction gives a good piece of advice: The manuals provide information on each piece of the Toolkit, software and hardware, explanations of each test and procedure, and complete reference and troubleshooting sections.Micro-Scope 6.1CONTENTS: 3.5" and 5.25" low density diskettes, Technical User's Manual, and 3 Loopback connectors, 9pin serial, 25 pin serial, and 25 pin parallel.The beauty of this software is that it runs completely independent of any PC operating system (DOS, OS/2, Unix, Xenix, Windows, Windows 95, Windows NT, etc.) allowing you to diagnose if the problem is between application software, the operating system environment and hardware. Testing: The Micro-Scope 6.1 floppy is booted up and Micro 2000 Inc. operating system is loaded, once loaded the "Load Diagnostic and Memory Test" menu appears. You can select either test; the memory test runs in the first 640k and runs repeated passes. The Diagnostics Test is the heart of Micro-Scope and uses an easy menu driven interface. The Menu options are: System Configuration, Batch Menu, Diagnostics, Utilities, and Quit. System Configuration: The System Configuration menu contains information about the System Settings, Adapters present, ROMs IRQs, Partitions, CMOS, and POS Registers. The information displayed is determined from POST, CMOS and a series of routines run by Micro-Scope on specific devices. The System Configuration menu is designed to provide the necessary information for determining the appropriate method of correcting system failure. The sub-menu accesses six screens, Compare Settings, System Information, Active ROM Search, Device Assignments, Partition Tables, and CMOS Display / Edit. Batch Menu: The Batch Menu is designed for running multiple tests in a continuous or pass-bound nature. These options are very useful for burn-in and for diagnosing intermittent errors, sometimes the hardest ones to find. The sub-menu allows accesses six screens, Run All Tests, Select Tests, Run Selected, Report Features, Error Log, and Error Halt Enable. Diagnostics menu: The Diagnostics menu contains tests for the Systemboard, Memory, Floppy and Fixed disks, CD ROMs, Sound Cards, Serial Ports, Parallel Ports, Video adapter and monitor, Keyboard, mouse, joystick, and Printer. Low level formatting of floppy and fixed disk can also be performed. The sub-menu accesses nine screens, Systemboard Tests, Memory Tests, Floppy Tests, Fixed Disk Tests, Multimedia Tests, Serial Port Tests, Parallel Port Tests, Video Tests, and Other Devices Tests. Utilities section: The Utilities section contains options to display memory, edit floppy and fixed disk media, benchmark system components, rebuild master boot record, clean floppy heads, configure the display for color or monochrome monitors and make backup copies of the master diskette. The sub-menu accesses eight screens, Memory Display, Floppy Editor,
Fixed Disk Editor, Run Benchmarks, Rebuild MasterBoot Floppy Head Cleaner,
Toggle Attributes, and Make Backup.
POST-ProbeThe POST-Probe package includes the POST-Probe card, MCA adapter, tri-state logic probe, and manual.Testing: With the power off, install the POST-Probe card in an available slot with the arrow facing toward the rear of the machine, turn on the power. l would suggest from my own experience you check the manual for the proper dip switch settings before power up. POST-Probe is designed as a tool for diagnosing computers that will not boot. The card, when used together with Micro-Scope 6.1 can verify the errors that are found. The comprehensive manual covers POST procedures for AMI, Award, Zenith, CHIPS and Technologies, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, MR BIOS, Phoenix, and XTs and DTKs. Most technicians and field engineers feel it would be better if a POST reader card could identify problems down to the chip level. A strong need fueled the development of a card that would allow the technician to gather more details and get more definitive answers to elusive problems. The Micro 2000 Micro Channel Adapter will work in tandem with the POST-Probe's 8-bit ISA interface, allowing the POST-Probe to work with any bus on the market, from the IBM PS/2 to EISA and Compaq machines. It's the first POST reader card in the industry that, along with
it's MCA adapter, will fit into any ISA, EISA, or Micro-Channel slot and
monitor the system as it's trying to boot. POST-Probe is the only card
that displays all the diagnostic signals at the same time. With POST-Probe
you can watch all the computer functions as they occur. This allows you
isolate problems even if the system BIOS does not emit POST codes. The
POST-Probe manual includes most POST codes on the market, and has the only
POST card manual which lists the code, the test that is failing, and the
chip or the device that caused that test to fail. The POST-Probe is also
the only card with a tri-state logic probe built into the card, making
the determination of specific chip failure possible.
RecommendationsI highly recommend the Universal Diagnostics Toolkit for PC technicians and Power-Users. The Toolkit is perfect for the bench technician as well as the week-end computer technician. You money is well spent on this quality diagnostics equipment. Your knowledge of your computer and any other system which you work on will increase tremendously. My recommendation, if you would be able to justify the cost, purchase the Universal Diagnostics Toolkit. Check out the other products by Micro 2000 Inc.Hardware requirement: Intel or compatible processor i.e. 8088/86 up to the new Pentiums P7 200MHz, a bootable drive and any ISA, EISA, or Micro-Channel slot. Compatible with Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows 3.1, OS/2, DOS, etc. Technical Support available by phone, and Internet Warranty is 30 days. Products available directly from Micro 2000 Inc. Pricing: Universal Diagnostics Toolkit, $898; Micro-Scope 6.1, $499, POST-Probe, $399. Micro 2000 Inc. 1100 E. Broadway 3rd Floor Glendale, CA 91205
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