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Troubleshooting computers

B

Brian O

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello,
I have a good background in electronics and troubleshooting, but need
some help in how to troubleshoot microprocessor circuits/ computers. Are
there any techniques that help to determine if a processor circuit is
working properly other than just running it, and if there is no
troubleshooting software for it? Is it just a matter of checking to see if
data is moving? How can you tell the data is correct? Any help in
troubleshooting these types of circuits is appreciated. Thanks.
B
 
C

Charles Schuler

Jan 1, 1970
0
Brian O said:
Hello,
I have a good background in electronics and troubleshooting, but need
some help in how to troubleshoot microprocessor circuits/ computers. Are
there any techniques that help to determine if a processor circuit is
working properly other than just running it, and if there is no
troubleshooting software for it? Is it just a matter of checking to see
if
data is moving? How can you tell the data is correct? Any help in
troubleshooting these types of circuits is appreciated. Thanks.
B

Mostly it is done by board/module swapping.

Steps that can be used (but not often used as a scope is often required):

1/ Check all supply voltages
2/ Verify the clock signal
3/ Verify all inputs
4/ Verify activity on the busses
 
H

Homer J Simpson

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello,
I have a good background in electronics and troubleshooting, but need
some help in how to troubleshoot microprocessor circuits/ computers. Are
there any techniques that help to determine if a processor circuit is
working properly other than just running it, and if there is no
troubleshooting software for it? Is it just a matter of checking to see
if
data is moving? How can you tell the data is correct? Any help in
troubleshooting these types of circuits is appreciated. Thanks.

You pretty much can't. Most computer shops don't even own a DMM.
 
K

KenB123

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have a related question: how would you troubleshoot a motherboard which
resets CMOS to default every time a/c power is shut off, even with a fresh
battery?

I have another identical board (ECS N2U400-A ver1.0) which functions just
fine, and thought about
doing an A-B type comparison with a meter, but I'm not sure what to look
for.
 
H

Homer J Simpson

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have a related question: how would you troubleshoot a motherboard which
resets CMOS to default every time a/c power is shut off, even with a fresh
battery?

Bad CMOS ram or bad battery connection. How much current does it draw from
the battery while off?
 
K

KenB123

Jan 1, 1970
0
I haven't yet got to the point of measuring current drain, but the battery
seems to be holding at 3v.

However when this problem first cropped up, the original battery was weak.
So maybe there is a drain somewhere.
 
H

Homer J Simpson

Jan 1, 1970
0
I haven't yet got to the point of measuring current drain, but the battery
seems to be holding at 3v.

Voltage is only useful diagnostically on the CMOS chip. Current is a quick
and dirty check.
 
C

CJT

Jan 1, 1970
0
Homer said:
Bad CMOS ram or bad battery connection. How much current does it draw from
the battery while off?
If you can measure that, you've got a d*mned good meter.
 
C

CJT

Jan 1, 1970
0
Homer said:
Voltage is only useful diagnostically on the CMOS chip. Current is a quick
and dirty check.
Methinks you know not of what you speak.
 
B

Brian O

Jan 1, 1970
0
Charles Schuler said:
Mostly it is done by board/module swapping.

Steps that can be used (but not often used as a scope is often required):

1/ Check all supply voltages
2/ Verify the clock signal
3/ Verify all inputs
4/ Verify activity on the busses
That was pretty much my line of thinking. Sometimes the "boss" doesn't
understand that though. Thanks.
Brian
 
J

JW

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have a related question: how would you troubleshoot a motherboard which
resets CMOS to default every time a/c power is shut off, even with a fresh
battery?

Bad jumper plug for reset CMOS function?
 
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