The Meaning of Diagnostic?

[PSG-Samuel]

Hello,

When a repair shop or callout engineers says they will need to do a diagnostic what do they mean by that exactly?

1. Do they use specific software to run a diagnostic? if so which ones?
2. Do they mean they will use the PC see what problems they run into?
3. Actually physically check the hardware?

I mean when they say diagnostic what does it mean?

 

[symphonix]

It's tech-talk for "take a look at it and see what the problem is". The methods used are up to the technician, but typically include running a hardware test, manually testing devices to see that they work, and running system maintenance software.

 

[PSG-Samuel]

It's tech-talk for "take a look at it and see what the problem is". The methods used are up to the technician, but typically include running a hardware test, manually testing devices to see that they work, and running system maintenance software.

Hello,

How would they manually test devices? can you give an example? also what software would be using for system maintenance? (windows)

Just curious as to exactly what I pay my local repair shop for and how things are generally done.

 

[DeltaMac]

Diagnosis depends on what is being diagnosed.
A little simplistic, but hardware (a printer, the memory, a PCI card, other add-in hardware, can often be tested by a known-good method. You might replace questionable memory, and other hardware with known good parts, if you have them. A service shop might keep a number of parts that are known-good. The service tech needs to remember not to replace too many parts at once, to make sure that a 'fix' can definitely be determined. A service shop might use specific hardware tests, which will vary according to the hardware being tested, not just one test, and not just one set of software.
A possible hardware problem can be caused by software/driver issues, so the service tech needs to have some good software knowledge, and probably some good software diagnostics. Which one? the current one of the day at that particular shop. You will likely find that shops move from one set of software to another, even on the same repair. Each specific diagnostic has its 'talent' and you may need several 'runs', or you might discover a fix on the first try. It's really all about duplicating the suspected problem. Sometimes that's very simple; other times, very frustrating....
Depends on what you are testing.

 

[Satcomer]

Hello,

How would they manually test devices? can you give an example? also what software would be using for system maintenance? (windows)

Just curious as to exactly what I pay my local repair shop for and how things are generally done.

Well you asked, so here is comes.

1. Go to college electrical engineering school.
2. Or get AppleCare Training.
3. Buy a Mutimeter (they are not cheap)
4. Buy DiskWarrior for Mac.
5. For Windows start by getting MCSE certified. Also think about getting what they call A+ training.
7. Buy a bunch of manuals

These are just a few steps to point you in the right direction.