Santa Clara, CA -- Ultra-X, the manufacturer of specialized PC diagnostic equipment, announces the introduction of Professional Hardware Diagnostic PCI 2 (PHD PCI 2). The card will be released March 18th.
PHD PCI 2 is a 6th generation PHD card. The original PHD, released on November, 1992, has been the most successful product for Ultra-X. The new and improved PHD PCI 2 card has all features of its predecessor and adds many improvements that are direct results of customer suggestions.
PHD PCI 2 performs component-level motherboard and system peripheral testing. PHD tests Pentium I to Pentium 4 systems (including AMD and VIA processors). This unique test equipment provides users with a comprehensive range of circuit diagnostics for system PCI Bus, RAM, DMA controllers, page registers, keyboard controller, interrupt controllers, timers, CMOS clock, and many other support chips. In peripheral diagnostic mode, PHD will test RAM, disks, graphics cards, I/O devices and system configuration.
PHD PCI 2 uses 3.3 volt slot technology and can be inserted and used in both 3.3 and 5 volt PCI slots. This allows the card to be used in earlier generation Pentium board and as well as the newest P4 motherboards. Once installed into a PCI slot, PHD will perform a series of diagnostic tests targeting the proper functionality of the PCI Bus. The analysis of the PCI slot begins by testing the presence and the accuracy of the 3.3 volt signal. The analysis continues by testing the header space, PCI Bridge, and burst transaction capability. The PHD will also interrogate all PCI slot assignments. The PHD PCI can also be used to verify the PCI bus signals meet industry compatibility criteria.
PHD PCI’s design incorporates on-board Flash firmware, memory, and video port to allow the card to test seemingly “dead” motherboards. The card is capable of running complete diagnostic even if memory, keyboard and video adapters are absent or dead. The card’s firmware will run automatically upon initialization and will continue to run until the system is powered down. Its use of Flash technology allows the card to be quickly upgraded.
On power-up, PHD PCI initializes the system and runs a complete system bus test and PCI sub-system analysis. During this stage, it will test the bus functions, speed and performance. Then it continues by injecting its diagnostics (diagnostics are embedded on the on-board ROM) and displaying all information on the system monitor (using the card’s built-in software video drivers). If case’s of video failure, PHD PCI has an On-board video connector to re-route test results directly to your VGA monitor. As each test is conducted, users see the results in simple to understand terms right on the screen. Although the tests are extensive and complex, PHD PCI keeps the output simple to understand.
The Extended Diagnostic Mode of PHD PCI allows users to test base, extended (to 4 gigabyte), cache and video memory, hard, floppy, and CD ROM drives, keyboards, I/O ports (serial and parallel), System Configuration, monitors, burn-in, and more without the need for disk based software.
PHD’s diagnostics do not require any external boot devices because it loads directly from the on-board ROM. PHD’s independence from operating system eliminate any conflicts that may occur between the tests and any loaded TSR’s, operating systems or system BIOS features. The convenience and reliability of ROM diagnostics means that technicians do not have to be concerned with the caring for floppy disks.
The new Features on the PHD PCI 2 include:
1. Serial (RS232) output port.
2. Dual 7-Segment displays.
3. Temperature Sensors.
4. Eight megabyte Flash ROM.
5. Network loop back connector.
6. Sound card loop back cord.
7. Signal testing of PCI Clock and 3.3V Auxiliary.
8. New Jump Start Mode.
The RS232 allows the PHD to output test results though the serial port. This allows all test results to be remotely monitored using data logging software such as Hyper Terminal. The dual 7-segment displays are used to monitor port location 80 and 81 simultaneously. This is used by switching PHD to POST mode. In this mode, PHD will display data logged to ports 80 and 81 in real time mode. PHD PCI 2 is also equipped with optional temperature sensing probes. These probes can be placed anywhere on the system. They are ideal for probing temperature at specific points on the system board. The real time temperature readings are routed through the serial port. The temperature is measure in Fahrenheit and Celsius scales simultaneously.
To make PHD PCI 2 run faster and more thorough diagnostics, we have replaced the 1 megabyte ROM with an eight megabyte ROM. This gives PHD eight times the ROM space for housing diagnostic code. The extra Rom space gives our engineers the capability to add more tests, beef-up previous tests and make the over-all diagnostics run much faster.
Two new features have been added to PHD’s diagnostics that improve its overall peripheral testing. These new tests include loop back testing for Intel network cards and a loop back cord for testing AD97 sound cards. In both instances, the PHD performs an internal and external tests by sending data through the target device to make sure it is able to send and receive data. These tests make the sound and network tests the most effective testing method available without loading any drivers or operating systems.
The network testing is performed without needing a server connection or connectivity to a HUB or a switch. The network test will be performed in a standalone environment. The Audio Testing is performed using the included loop back cord. The cord is connected to line out/in and/or mic in jack. All of the testing is performed in a stand alone system without requiring any speakers.
PHD PCI 2 continues PHD’s ability to booth system board without requiring a working BIOS. On most Intel and AMD chipset boards, PHD will by-pass the BIOS totally. This is called a force start mode which forces a motherboard to boot in PHD mode instead of BIOS mode. On systems using VIA, SIS or Nvidia chipsets, the new PHD allows for the system BIOS to replaced with PHD’s boot ROM. Therefore, if you have a system, with a dead BIOS, you can still use PHD in force start mode by simply replacing the system BIOS with PHD’s jump ROM.
Finally, PHD is equipped with the ability to test the PCI clock and 3.3 auxiliary signals. This allows PHD users the ability to detect dead motherboards because of a dead PCI clock signals or an errand 3.3 volt signal.
The comprehensive motherboard and peripheral testing of the PHD PCI 2 card make it one of the best values on the market. The complete range of diagnostic capability of the PHD PCI 2 provides the user with a large number of testing options, eliminating the need for multiple products and/or large monetary investment.
European retail price € 1.199.00. To receive more information contact us at Ultra-X Benelux B.V. at Ampèrestraat 6b. 2181 HB, Hillegom, The Netherlands. +31 (0) 252-533 284, Fax +31 (0) 252-533 284, E-mail info@uxd.nl. You can also visit our web site at www.uxd.nl.
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Professional Hardware Diagnostic PCI is a trademark of Ultra-X, Inc. Copyright 1998-2004. All rights reserved. All other trademarks belong to their respective owners.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Stefan Kluin
Sales and Marketing
+31 (0) 252-533-284
Stefan@uxd.nl