| Frequently Asked Questions |
Q. What is a Post-Probe?
Q. What does the
Post-Probe do that the diagnostic software doesn't?
Q. How can it diagnose
anything, if the PC won't boot up?
Q. Does
Post-Probe fix the problem?
Q. How long has the
Post-Probe been around?
Q. I've seen other
'post' cards. What's different about yours?
Q. Is it really necessary? I
usually just swap parts.
Common Questions
Q. What is a Post-Probe?
A. It is a card that plugs into the motherboard to diagnose a 'dead' PC
that won't boot up.
Q. What does the Post-Probe do that the
diagnostic software doesn't?
A. The system must be able to boot before it can run the software
diagnostics. If it can't boot, that's when you use the Post-Probe.
Q. How can it diagnose anything, if the PC
won't boot up?
A. During boot-up, the BIOS executes a series of instructions called the
POST, or Power-On Self Test, that check out all of the basic functions
of the machine. At each step, the BIOS puts a code onto the bus, and
that's what the Post-Probe uses.
Q. Does Post-Probe fix the problem?
A. No, you still have to do that part. What it does is show you the last
code that the power-on self test was able to put on the bus, and a table
in the manual tells you what function was being tested at that time.
Q. How long has the Post-Probe been around?
A. It was first released about 10 years ago, and in 1998 the Universal
Post-Probe appeared, with many new features including edge connectors
for both PCI and ISA.
Q. I've seen other 'post' cards. What's
different about yours?
A. It's true we've had imitators, but so far nobody else has been able
to put PCI and ISA on the same card. Some other unique features are a
step-through switch that lets you see if the BIOS is corrupted and doing
tests in the wrong order, and multiple displays to make the card easy to
use in all motherboard configurations.
Q. Is it really necessary? I usually just swap
parts.
A. You can sometimes get by with swapping parts, but if it's an
expensive part like the CPU, or something that's soldered to the
motherboard, that's not a very practical approach. In any case, it's
unprofessional. If repairing PCs is more than a hobby, you should have
the proper tools, and that includes a Post-Probe.
To purchase Post-Probe online
click here
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