A look at the PC-Doctor Software

By Ed Tittel and Toby Digby, published on November 29, 2007
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: , , | Themes: Software
Contents

3. A look at the PC-Doctor Software

It’s clear from the pricing and contents of the PC Doctor Service Center 6 kit that the company puts most of the value for this $399 item in the software it includes as a key component of its contents. Further evidence to support this contention comes from their inclusion of dongle capability on the MUD, and the requirement that the MUD be plugged in and operational before any of the PC-Doctor software will work. All this said, let’s look at what’s included in the bundle of software included with this product. We’ll start with the feature set, then move on to the tests and diagnostics themselves.

PC-Doctor Features and Operation

In terms of features, the bundled software may be described as follows (we’ll describe the tests and diagnostics themselves in another list to follow shortly):

  • Ability to construct and customize sets of tests
  • Automated testing script facility
  • Load system ROM for inspection and analysis (DOS and Linux only)
  • Ability to run tests interactively, in batch mode, or to execute quick survey tests
  • Parallel test execution (Windows and Linux only; multi-threaded support required)
  • Remote testing through serial port redirection, RSH, SSH, Telnet, or Java remote management interface (RMI; DOS and Linux only)
  • Command line and console interface options available
  • Pre and post OS install testing options
  • Diagnostics SDK available for invocation from other software
  • User-friendly GUI makes diagnostics and problem-solving accessible to end users
  • Text-based output support
  • Customizable log files permit test result capture for later analysis and reporting
  • CSV and TSV results output for easy spreadsheet and database import
  • Reboot/shutdown options permit system restart or shutdown in response to test results
  • Software operates via normal installation, from bootable CD, or from system ROM
  • Scripting also supports INI and batch file manipulation for dynamic testing
  • HTML output support enables posting results to Web, or examination via browser
  • Tools for constructing bootable diagnostics CD or diskette included

Taken together, these features reveal a powerful and capable test management environment, where tests can be scripted and batched together for automated and even dynamic operation. On the other hand, a powerful, Explorer-like interface (for Windows anyway) offers the ability to browse and explore the entire range of (Windows) tests.

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Comments


Deleted profile 11/30/2007 11:34 AM
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Nice review. I use PC Doctor 6 on a daily basis and can say that it is quite an expansion over Service Center 5. I also use diagnostic utilities such as DFT and Memtest, however one thing that PC Doctor has over every other free utility is the logging capabilities from DOS. I have it scripted to run the whole onslaught of tests and save the log file to the MUD. This is especially helpful when a customer want's to see proof that something passed or something failed. It can also come in handy when sending a unit off to a specialized repair center if parts arent available to you. Also, the cost of a replacement MUD (at least to my company) is $130. So if you go high end, SC6 actually becomes more of a bargain.
Deleted profile 12/01/2007 3:06 AM
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I also use PC Doctor but the problem I have with it is that is slows performance down. There is also a bug in the program. On system shutdown you receive an error message. There is times where the program will not allow system shutdown at all.
Deleted profile 12/03/2007 1:31 AM
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if you no what you are doing you do not need this crap! I worked in a shop for a year that had all of this specialty troubleshooting stuff and absolutely no one used it! The only testing software u need is memtest and any hd tools, and they are free. Stop buying this stuff and learn how to fix and diagnose without all these 399$ "tools" and you will save money and learn something.
Deleted profile 12/04/2007 7:24 AM
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Why should a computer break? Oh ya I remember: failure to perform to proper quality control standards vs price since the beginning of time. Now everyone with their $399 Walmart and Bestbuy piece of junk computers can just go right back out and buy more crap to ultimately slow down a slow worthlyss computer. This is why I build my machines from scratch using high quality compponents, not some big old computer companie who throws pennies at the lowest bidder.

This seems like a great product and fortune smiles for the inventer. Unfortunatly this mess costs the consumer millions in the long run, just to have a half broken machine until the end of mankind.
etittel 12/10/2007 11:44 AM
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etittel
I think the range of responses shows just what I thought about this product: it works for some and not for others, and indeed those willing to substitute ingenuity and work for convenience and extra cost can get there from here without necessarily buying the kit. But I have to believe that hobbyists and do-it-yourselfers do not represent a key target market for this product anyway.

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