Introduction
No matter the level of computer literacy, this is little likelihood that the following phrase needs to be explained. “the computer is down”
It has been a common complaint the words conforms up visions of a pertinent machine gone on the micro equivalent of a sit down strike. Perhaps, it will be up and rounding later on, like a good diagnostic procedure is carried out using the diagnostic procedure is carried out using the diagnostic program.
Eventually, we lean that the computer is once again back in operation. But what we don’t learn, is that the trouble really was not the computerizes fault at all. Instead on operators error lured it to perform in an unexpected moreover. Then it became necessary to shut down the system while the error was traced, isolated and corrected.
Infact, the computer machine is one of the most reliable machines ever made. It has almost knowing parts, so there is very little to get of our alignment. Its electronic components do not demand periodic adjustments. And since it really has no brain of its own, it just cannot make its own mistakes. It does only what it is told, that is “gabbage in gabbage out” Given a minimal amount of care and a decent operating environment, it should provide years of trouble- free , error-true services.
No one can say that the computer system never break down, some components may indeed fail now and then, yet far more often a “computer is down” problems can be traced to human error, and while that may make he problem no less frustration. It does make it much simpler to solve. Needless to say, an actual hardware failure may require the services of skilled personnel. However, an apparent failures requires within more than a moments attentions by the user. With the help of this diagnostic program that helps him or her test the different sub-systems of the computer to isolate, trace and correct the error, the conception of a moments attention will yield.
When making a list of all the factors that revolves around the computer is down problem, we must not forget to include our human causes at the top of the list. Next is the consideration of the various external devices, followed by the internal devices with moving parts. After that, it is apt to the display.
Finally when all else fails to be associated the problem or rather, when we begin to suspect the computer itself. So our prioritized suspect list may look something of this nature.
- Human error (such as forgetting to turn the power on, plug the display on a wrong socket etc.)
- External devices (like printer out of paper, liquid spilled on diskette etc)
- Internal parts movable ones (suspect the hard disk)
- Display devices (check the display card or display unit)
- The computer itself (almost likely a fault chip)
1.1 Statement Of The Problem
In the design of this computerized diagnostic programming, there are so many hardware problems being encountered by operations such as when
- Your system does not recall how
- Your disk drive has not learnt how to write
- Your display is block
- Your modern is not feeling communicative
- Your printer will not take a letter
- Your system will not take a letter
- Your system has recently discovered some new ways to frustrate what ever it is, you are trying to do
Sometimes, the computer will not give any response when switched on, the computer tries half-heartedly as it may flash an information (?) display on the screen, such as 2c 30I or perhaps; 0400200800 code, or may be even DEVICE TIME out in 130.
Any of these or countries other codes message or audio beeps may be heard, and each indicates dust where the problem is. These error messages or codes put the computer operator of his work, because when happens he needs a specialist to help.
For example, the message seen above tell you that a key struck a memory chip have placed, and that you forget him something on. You trust have to know how to read between the number with all those keys, chips and the external device you have plugged in, the error messages became a very efficient way of pointing to the troubled sport Armed with diagnostic program (if completed), one should be able to filed the problem and fix it quickly.
1.2 The Purpose Of The Study
The purpose of this study is to investigate and develop diagnostic program that helps in tentatively faulty sub-system in the computer. Reads out and modifies computer system configuration and provides a database for computer error codes and associated faulty devices.
1.3 The Scope
The delimitations which is the act of the scope of the work, would be basically restricted to all IBM PC at compatible machines. Also within the scope of this study is intra-system compatibility involving the following computer system architectural design.
ISA/MCA Compatibility
Upward compatibility is good but not great, that is, most external devices-display, printers, modes etc, will work with ISA and MCA systems.
EISA/MCA Compatibility
The conditions just described apply as well to ELSA and MCA systems.
1.5 Assumptions
The assumption held during this project is that the program used in this diagnosis is compatible to all PC AT systems. Systems to be tested should be ISA or ELSA types.
1.5 Definition Of Terms
A fair amount of computer terms will be encountered throughout this project, with most terms explained just before their official introduction in the text. Here are a few samples of terms, that will show up over again, both here and elsewhere:
Bits And Bytes
A bit (binary digit) represents the smallest possible storage unit used in computer system. Each bit can represent either a binary digit o or binary digit I. Byte is used to describe a quantity o eight bits.
- 1 kilobyte − 1,000 bytes
- 1 megabyte − 1,000,000 bytes
- 1 gigabyte − 1,000,000,000 bytes
boot and Booting procedure − A personal computer is said to boot itself on because when power is first supplied, a program automatically loaded into memory . The small program loads a larger program and the system pulls itself up by its own electronic boots types.
RAM
Random Access Memory
ROM
Read only memory
ROM BIOS
Rom Basic input and output systems
POST − (Power on self test).
The series of systems check that are performed every time a pc is powered on. That duplex partitioning to a data communication link in which information maybe transmitted in only one direction at a time.
PARITY
In a computer, the conversion of adding 1 to a byte so that the total number of bytes is always even (even parity) (or add odd parity).
PIXEL − (PICTURES)
Elements on a display scene, the smallest area whose colours and intensity can be separately controlled . although the picture elements are considered to be a point, it is actually composed of three phosphor date-red, green and black- that may be individually controlled to create the desired colour.
SCSI- (Small computer system interface).
An expansion has system used as an interface between the pc and a hard disk and other devices.
MEMORY
This is the part of the computer in which data is stored for later retrieval. The contents of a memory may be permanently fixed (ROM) of changeable.
