When studying for the A+ I read that they can be useful, but I never got one. Anybody use one? Does it help? I've had a string of computers with annoying hardware issues come my way recently, so I'm just curious if they would help in the process of elimination.

 

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Not sure, I've never used one.

Motherboard diagnostic codes usually give you information about POST errors that might occur.
And when that fails, I just start pulling out and swapping parts until I figure out what's going on.

Card is valuable in lieu of alot of spare hardware or at the clients location.


Alot of motherboards have a diagnostic display, problem is the info is VAGUE or undocumented. A signle piece of hardware causing a root default can cause an incorrect value or hang code.


It all comes down to what you can afford and what youll get a return on.


I have a ton of spare parts, if I cannot find the issue with all those parts, its the mainboard /CPU..90% of the time that fixes it, its the 10% of the time Im wrong that I feel bad about and wish I had the card. But I also work for free / tips and hardware costs.

If you are doing a lot of diagnostic work it is a tool that pays for itself with just a use or two. I would think you might need to get two though to cover PCI and PCI-E. If you are looking at working on factory equipment that is computerized you might want to consider an ISA model also. The prices of them seem to be fairly reasonable now making them more accessible.

 

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Thanks everyone. Looks like I'll be buying some. Can any of you recommend any good brands or specific models?

 

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