Cool Diagnosing device

I got an E-mail from one of my computer sources and it showed me a piece of hardware I'd never seen before. I was wondering if any of the MG's here had ever seen or used it before:

http://3btech.net/sotepcidicaw.html

 

I have seen similar devices in the past - never too impressed. After reading the below reviews, I don't think this offering would change my mind. I would agree with one reviewer - this would be useful if you had a stack of motherboards and you needed to quickly parse out the definitely bad ones.

I think a motherboard speaker and keeping this link handy: BIOS Central Post/Beep Codes, will do just as well.

http://www.ocia.net/reviews/soyotechaid/page1.shtml
http://turnipofpower.com/soyo-techaid-diagnostic-card-review/

 

Thanks for the answer.

 

These testers vary in their usefulness. They can show if for instance the graphics system has failed, (so you have no display) but the processor /memory /motherboard are still running.
You can get mini pci ones for latops and ones which dump the output to USB or printer ports.
Some have switches for single stepping the motherboard through BIOS post routine.

You can also get dedicated slot checkers for AGP PCI-E and the various processor slots so you can check whether the motherboard or processor is at fault.

However $29 is too much.

www.winter-con.com

 

Hi Trax,

Hi I had an MSI Motherboard that had a similar device built in. It was not nearly as fancy. It had 4 leds mounted in a PCI back slot. It could show 16 different conditons. I never bothered to look at it as the problem was usually obvious. I agree with Studiot. The price is too great.

Good Luck, Jim

 

Hmm that BIOS central Post link got picked up by my system as being an "Attack site" and was auto-blocked.

 

Hmm didn't notice any pricing information for any of there products on that website

 

Blocked by what? I've referenced that site for year, and none of my stuff (AVG and Comodo) are complaining.

 

BIOS Central is a legitimate site - no nasties there. What flagged it?

As for diagnostics on the motherboard, many makers are putting them on their high-end boards, some even tell the user (by verbal error messages through motherboard speaker).

 

Looks like firefox is treating it like a threat.

"Reported Attack Site!

This web site at bioscentral.com has been reported as an attack site and has been blocked based on your security preferences.

Attack sites try to install programs that steal private information, use your computer to attack others, or damage your system.

Some attack sites intentionally distribute harmful software, but many are compromised without the knowledge or permission of their owners.




Quick search I found this information as well. http://forum.avast.com/index.php?action=printpage;topic=42630.0

 

Wow, I've used BIOS Central for years and never had an issue, they might be compromised. First time I ever seen FF's warning.

 

http://safebrowsing.clients.google....Firefox&hl=en-US&site=http://bioscentral.com/


Taken from Avast forums:

hello , thank you for your help.

This morning, I have analized this part of code with www.virustotal.com and www.viruscan.jotti.org, the results are the same

you can see the results here: http://www.virustotal.com/fr/analisis/a23a94269e1d996d27a19ed1b84885b5

Avast , Sophos and Gdata found this trojan JS:Redirector-D

I have more and more doubts about the legitimity of the site www.Bioscentral.com

 

Now hold off before false rumors spread and bad information tops Google and hurts a valuable site, long a favorite of IT professionals and countless users. You are citing a single user in a single, 1 month old post, and now that post, and your comment above about that post, top Google when you enter: bioscentral firefox - but note there are no other references to bioscentral being compromised or a threat.

Enter: bioscentral trojan and you find one other reference - from 8 years ago!

Note your SafeBrowsing link would indicate the site is now clear too.

While it is certainly okay to see if others are reporting similar problems, it is not good to take the report of one person as the gospel truth. You need to verify.

That works both ways, of course. You should not take my word as the gospel either. But note as an MVP not wanting to jeopardize that award, I work hard to provide only good advice. BIOSCentral.com is a trusted site. But not to take my word on it, so too says McAfee Siteadvisor and Norton Safe Web.

 

:confusedBIOS CENTRAL:confused

Nice discussion chaps, but perhaps it deserves its own thread?

I thought this was about plug in tester hardware?

 

I've got no more to say about the site, so unless some trend of a current problem arises, I see no need to split. I also note "beepcodes" were part of the topic, as knowing the codes would serve much the same info as the tester, but for a better price.

 

Tons of similar devices on Ebay:
http://computers.shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_npmv=3&_trksid=p3910.m38.l1313&_nkw=motherboard+tester&_sacat=58058

I have 2 different ones that I was gullible enough to purchase a few years ago and they are worthless.

In fact, I'm in the process of attempting to diagnose a problem with no video and I have both of them out on my desk as we speak.
No help what so ever.

Not saying that the one OP posted the link for is junk, but mine are.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/b44t/IMG_0134-1.jpg

 

Would that be this thead below or is this another pc?

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=183914

 

Would that be this thead below or is this another pc?

Another pc. Yes, I'm fortunate enough to inherit another headache. :banghead

 

Well you had loadsa good advice in your last no-go thread.
If you'd like to start another one, with some details, we might be able to help further.
For instance the Dell is photo'd in post 29 of this thread has a peculiar lead problem that leads to this.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=184424

 

Honestly I could care less either way I was just posting what I was seeing