Mobo/CPU tester??

[TEEB]

Every once in while someone will have trouble with a new build. Rusty1 being the latest. . They are, correctly, advised to check out the PCM Trouble shooter. After that does not resolve the problem they ask about how to check and see if if the Motherboard/cpu could be defective. They are then advised to take it to the "computer shop" and have it tested.

That's where my question comes in. What,exactly, do the "compurter shop" guys do to test these components?
Is there a test stand or some other piece of equipment that they use. If so where can you buy one, what are they called, and are they very expensive.

Some of you guys work in the "computer shop", can you give me the low down on what happens in these cases?

[catch23]

Use a CPU/mobo that is known good that they can easily RMA

[TEEB]

How can they RMA someones CPU/motherboard that is brought in for testing? I don't understand your explanation.

[mike breck]

Hi TEEB,

I would imagine the simplest test is just to substitute a known working CPU and mobo.

That's the advantage many pros have - plenty of spare parts to subsitute.

I would also imagine pros like Hal and glc have been working with PCs for so long, they can intuitively "know" which of the two is faulty. After all - they've seen it all, over the years.

[catch23]

If you bring in a motherboard you want to test...they try it with one of THEIR CPUs ... if it doesn't work and damages their CPU..they RMA it

and vise vursa (sp?) for CPUs.

[TEEB]

HI Mike:

I agree, it's the simplest, and most logical, way to do it. As you say they have the advantage of having lots of spare parts to play with. It's also the way I would do it.

But. i'm wondering if there is a "tester" that one could buy that would take away the guess work altogether.

I'm sure one of the Pro's will see this and settle it for me.
Thanx for taking the time....

[Alfie]

Manufacturer's have specific test equipment for cpus and motherboards,these special units usually cost a small fortune and wouldn't be practical for the average user or computer builder,the old swap and try approach is the cheapest approach.
Memory testers can be purchased,but good ones are costly as well.
So from the practical approach buying $3,000 worth of equipment to test a $85.00 motherboard may prove extreme!
To all new builders,your best bet is to set the motherboard up outside of the case with cpu & heatsink,memory and video card attached only,attempt to boot,boots all is well and proceed,no boot,try again,still no boot and no beeps,get RMA info and ship it back for an exchange.

[mike breck]

All the PC shops I've known seem to use the substitution method. I haven't come across anyone (yet) using hardware diagnostic equipment.

There are those diagnostic PCI cards and cheap testers, but I've always thought they were probably a waste of money.

http://www.pctestpro.com/pcdiag.htm

[Alfie]

Actually the cards can work,but a number of newer motherboards have the diagnostic card built in.
It shows a number or letters and if you check the manual for the code,it shows where the system halted,if it's the motherboard itself,well...