PC diagnostic card even tests "dead" motherboards

The PHD PCI 2 is the latest generation of the professional PC system diagnostic test card from Ultra-X.

The PHD PCI 2 is the latest generation of the professional PC system diagnostic test card from Ultra-X.

This is the sixth version of PHD, Ultra-X's most successful product, which was first introduced in 1992.

The new and improved PHD PCI 2 doesn't just have all of the tried and true features of its predecessor; it also has new capabilities that stem directly from customer requirements.

The new PHD PCI 2 tests motherboards with all Intel Pentium processors currently on the market as well as AMD Athlon and Opteron processors and the system periphery in less than 5min with 150 tests for all specific components.

The unique testing capabilities gives users instant access to an extensive and practical spectrum of diagnostic tools for wiring diagnostics including PCIbus, RAM, DMA controller, page register, keyboard controller, interrupt controller, timer, CMOS clock and many other support chips.

In the periphery diagnostic mode, the PHD PCI 2 not only tests RAM but also disk drives, graphics cards, I/O ports and the system configuration.

The PHD PCI 2 works with the 3.3V slot technology of the PCI plug but can also be operated with 5V PCI slots.

This means the card can be used for older Pentium motherboards as well as for the latest P4 and server boards.

Once the PHD PCI 2 is installed in the PCI slot, it conducts a series of diagnostic routines to ensure that the PCIbus is running properly.

The card can also be used to determine whether the PCIbus signals meet the industry standard.

The PHD PCI 2's design contains onboard Flash firmware, memory and a video port to test seemingly "dead" motherboards.

The complete diagnostic program of the PHD PCI 2 runs even when memory, keyboard and video adapter are defective or "dead".

Once initialised, the card's firmware starts automatically until switched off.

The Flash technology allows for quick and easy upgrades.

When electricity begins to flow, the PHD PCI 2 initialises the system and begins a complete system bus test as well as a PCI subsystem analysis.

Function, speed and performance are all tested.

The diagnoses, stored in onboard ROM, are displayed on the system monitor (via the integrated software video driver).

If there is no video connection, the PHD PCI 2 has an onboard video connector so that the results can be viewed on a VGA monitor.

Users see all test results on the screen described in a way that is easy to understand even when the tests are quite comprehensive and complex.

The extended diagnostic mode of the PHD PCI 2 allows users to test the cache and video storage, hard drive, floppy and CD-ROM drives as well as keyboards, I/O ports (serial and parallel), the system configuration, monitors, burn-in and much more without any additional software.

PHD diagnostic systems do not require any external devices to boot because they start directly from the integrated onboard ROM.

Because the systems are not dependent on operating system, potential conflicts, for example, with the BIOS, can be avoided.

The ROM diagnosis is also even easier and more reliable because no disks that can be lost or deleted or damaged are required.

The vast motherboard and periphery test program of the PHD PCI 2 makes it one of the best test cards on the market.

The complete range of diagnostic capabilities of the PHD PCI 2 gives the user instant access to a number of testing options in a single product and hence, considerably reduces the amount of investment necessary.

The PHD PCI 2 is available for Eur 1199 plus VAT.

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