[GTALUG] computer hardware testing tools.

[Karen Lewellen]

actually, this is quite brilliant.
Your serial port example is perfect.
When the issue started, it turned out that the machine was working, but 
the port had stopped.
had I known then, what I know now, changing the cable, I likely would not 
have spent hours reconstructing an older machine.
I found on amazon Canada a replacement serial port cable, solving 
the problem for weeks.
However the real issue,  how my landlord manages hydro in my apartment, 
means that the issue as it did last night can start again.
Please do not feel you are not providing solutions, because you have in 
the past just as here.
Kare



On Wed, 12 Jul 2023, D. Hugh Redelmeier via talk wrote:

> This is a hard question.
>
> Most digital systems components work or don't work.
> It gets really hard when they kind of work.
>
> Let me be a little more explicit about that, with an example.  A computer
> can mostly work but have a failing serial port.  Then the component to
> look at is the serial port, not the whole computer.  The serial port will
> usually work or not work.
>
> Then again, when one says that a serial port isn't completely working, one
> has to realize that it is made up of components.  For example:
> - the software using the port
> - the OS
> - the serial cable
> - the device on the other end
> Each of these may be the failure.  It gets more difficult if more than one
> is the problem.
>
> For complete testing I/O (like a serial port), you usually need some kind
> of hardware test jig to observe what's leaving your system and to generate
> inputs.
>
> Usually a serial port has gross misbehaviour.  Hooking it up to anything
> just doesn't work.  Or either the input or the output just doesn't work.
> Often the problem turns out to be something simple like cables.  OK, I
> admit, serial cables aren't actually simple: too many configurations.
>
> Sometimes the problem is just dirty contacts.  Plugging and unplugging a
> few times might fix this.
>
> Long ago, I had to replace 1488 or 1489 levl-shifting / buffering chips
> for serial ports.  They could be burnt out by static, I think.  Those
> aren't used any longer so I don't know what you do these days.
>
> In the past, when I've tried to help you, I've failed.  I think that the
> problem is that we have different models of how things work.  Clearly your
> model is correct for you. It means that my attempts of help haven't
> been useful to you and have just wasted time.
>
> | From: Karen Lewellen via talk <talk at gtalug.org>
> |
> | What I am seeking is an open source program that tests aspects of say your
> | motherboard.  that the serial ports or parallel ports work, that the USB ports
> | are sound etc.
> | I am asking  because due to an as of yet not fixed hydro problem in my new
> | apartment, the occasional power surges, even with machines attached to
> | protectors, are causing slight damage to hardware.
> | Need to know how much as I only have so many computers I can use.
> | Any program ideas?
> | Will be sharing suggestions with someone hopefully helping me troubleshoot.
>
> ---
> Post to this mailing list talk at gtalug.org
> Unsubscribe from this mailing list https://gtalug.org/mailman/listinfo/talk
>