#1-TuffTEST-Pro™ PC Diagnostic
Product Description

Powerful and Reliable

#1-TuffTEST-Pro Professional-Level PC Diagnostics Software is a very powerful and reliable diagnostic "tool" for troubleshooting desktop PCs. It is distributed via download only.

#1-TuffTEST-Pro was first released in 1984, and has been continually enhanced and fine-tuned over the years to help service and support personnel quickly and reliably diagnose a malfunctioning personal computer system. By using #1-TuffTEST-Pro, hardware problems, and hardware vs. software issues, can be identified and resolved accurately and economically.

Use FREE #1-TuffTEST-Lite to verify system compatability with #1-TuffTEST and #1-TuffTEST-Pro.

Choice of Professionals

#1-TuffTEST-Pro is the overwhelming choice of most of the world's largest service and support organizations because they need a diagnostic tool that really finds hardware problems. This is significant because they have made their decision to use #1-TuffTEST-Pro after thorough comparative testing in controlled laboratory environments using known bad parts from their repair depot operations.

#1-TuffTEST-Pro customers include service leaders like AT&T Corp, NCR Corp, Unisys Corp, Xerox Corp, Getronics, Eastman Kodak, Honeywell IAC, Fujitsu-ICL, GTE Corp, etc.

The "Stand-Alone" Advantage

#1-TuffTEST-Pro is a "Stand-Alone" diagnostic program that has its own proprietary self-booting operating system. Simply turn the target PC off, insert the #1-TuffTEST-ProProgram CD-ROM into the CD-ROM Drive or the Program Diskette into Drive A, turn the target PC on, and #1-TuffTEST-Pro will boot and take complete control of the target PC

This "Stand-Alone" advantage allows #1-TuffTEST-Pro to operate directly on the PC's hardware without interference from the target system's native operating system. Thusprecise and highly reliable test results are consistently achieved.

In contrast, most other utility and diagnostic software products operate as an application program "under" the native operating system (DOS/Windows/etc.). Some even have to be installed on the fixed disk before you can use them. While this approach is effective for software and hardware "configuration" issues, attempting to diagnose "hardware malfunctions" through all the various layers of operating system and application software dramatically affects the quality and reliability of the tests.

High-Precision Tool

"#1-PC Diagnostics Company has the product to beat in this category. No other product can beat #1-TuffTEST-Pro in all the different tests.... For all-around, full-system diagnostics, this is the best on the market...." Service News Magazine

#1-TuffTEST-Pro is the high-precision diagnostic software "tool preferred by service and support professionals because:

#1-TuffTEST-Pro uses its own proprietary operating system and is self-loading. This allows it to:

• Boot and troubleshoot a malfunctioning PC system regardless of its native operating system (DOS, Windows, Unix, Linux, OS/2, etc.). You can even troubleshoot a PC with no fixed disk drive!
• Produce precise and reliable test results that are unaltered by the native operating system (error handling, retries, filtering, overhead, etc.).
• Eliminate the false positives and negatives so common with DOS/Windows-based utility-type diagnostic products.

#1-TuffTEST-Pro is written in assembly language, thus it:

• Is very small and compact, executes much faster, and produces extremely precise and reliable test results.
• Uses less than 200K of main memory when loaded. In fact, once the main menu appears#1-TuffTEST-Pro's Program CD-ROM or Program Diskette is no longer required. It can be removed and used to troubleshoot, or burn-in, other PC's.
• Is capable of program relocation during memory testing. Thus, all of main memory can be tested. This is not possible with the much larger DOS/Windows-dependent programs, written in C, that use most, or all, of main memory when loaded.

#1-TuffTEST-Pro utilizes its own custom device drivers so that diagnostic routines interact directly with the PC's hardware. This ensures precise and reliable test results. Conversely, most operating system-dependent diagnostics must rely on the use of hardware drivers on the target system to exercise much of the hardware.

#1-TuffTEST-Pro bypasses standard ROM BIOS routines when they fail to provide an exact picture of the hardware. For example, most IDE fixed disk drives go into "translation mode" to bypass limitations in earlier hardware/software design. This translation mode masks the true information from the ROM BIOS. For accuracy, #1-TuffTEST-Pro accesses information directly from the controller and fixed disk drive. If this technique is not used, unpredictable/unreliable results can occur.

Thorough and Very Reliable Tests

A #1-TuffTEST-Pro Program CD-ROM or Program Diskette contains multiple diagnostic programs in compressed format. Each program is custom written for a specific microprocessor/bus combination. As #1-TuffTEST-Pro loads, the microprocessor/bus combination of the target system is analyzed, and only the appropriate diagnostic program for that system is expanded and loaded into main memory.

Over 200 of the most rigorous tests and functions are then available for testing Main Memory, Extended Memory, Expanded Memory, Fixed Disk Drives (EIDE, IDE, SATA, SCSI, ESDI, ST506/412), Diskette Drives, Video Displays and Adapters, Serial and Parallel Interfaces, and Keyboards. Extensive error code information is generated and logged. The Error Log can be viewed or printed.

Error codes are defined in the User Handbook which is available in the Licensed User Area. The comprehensive User Handbook is in ".html" format, is over 75 pages long and can be viewed or printed in you browser or can be downloaded as a separate file for viewing or printing at a later time.

Tests and Functions

A brief overview of #1-TuffTEST-Pro's tests and functions follows. All tests can be run in single pass or continuous mode.

Note: The availability of individual tests is dependent upon the type of PC being tested.

Note: Four asterisks (****) after a test or function below indicates that it is unique to #1-TuffTEST-Pro and is not available in #1-TuffTEST.

Configuration Function

• Current Configuration
• CPU Speed Test
• MMX Extensions Test
• BIOS Information
• BIOS Checksum Test
• Switch Positions ****
• System Memory Size
• Extended Memory Size
• Expanded Memory Size
• CMOS Configuration
• Edit CMOS settings ****

Certification Tests (Quick System Check)

• Abbreviated System Test ****
• Extensive System Test ****
• System Board Test
• Math Coprocessor Test
• Main Memory Test
• Extended Memory Test
• Expanded Memory Test ****
• Diskette Drives Test
• Fixed Disk Drives Test
• Serial Port Input/Output Test ****
• Parallel Port Input/Output Test ****

Parallel Port Tests (LPT1, LPT2 & LPT3)

• Interface (Signal Loopback) Test (uses TEST Plug) ****
• Send the ASCII Character Set to a Printer Test ****
• Echo the Keys Pressed to a Printer Test ****
• Monitor Handshake and Data Signals While Printing Test
• Monitor Status Signals from a Printer Test ****
• Data Test (uses TEST Plug) ****
• Control Test (uses TEST Plug) ****
• Interface Status Test (uses TEST Plug) ****

Serial Port Tests (COM 1, COM2, COM3, COM4 & up to 64 user-defined port addresses)

• Internal Operations Test
• External Operations Test(uses TEST Plug)****
• Transmitter Test (uses TEST Plug) ****
• Receiver Test (uses TEST Plug) ****
• Data Test (uses TEST Plug) ****
• External/Internal Control Line Test (uses TEST Plug) ****

Diskette Drive Tests (drives A & B)

• Rotational Timing Test
• Seek/Read Test
• Write-Protect Verification Test ****
• Read Only Test
• Format Test ****
• Write/Read/Verify Test ****
• Select Testing Range Function ****

Fixed Disk Tests (drives 0, 1, 2 & 3) - Up to 2000 Gigabytes!

• Controller Test
• Seek (Hysteresis) Test
• Surface Analysis (Read and Verify ECC/CRC) Test
• Find Optimum Interleave Test ****
• Low-Level Format - Conditional (Preserve Bad Tracks) ****
• Low-Level Format - Unconditional ****
• Media Analysis (Write/Read/Verify) Test ****
• Find Previously Marked Bad Tracks Function ****
• Edit and/or Mark Bad Tracks Function ****
• Reassign Blocks Function ****
• Select Testing Range Function ****
• Park the Disk Heads Function ****

Main Memory Test

• Abbreviated Memory Test ****
• Extensive Memory Test ****
• Allzeroes Test (includes Parity Module Test)
• Allones Test (includes Parity Module Test)
• Checkerboard Test (includes Parity Module Test)
• Address Test (includes Parity Module Test)
• Marching Ones Test (includes Parity Module Test) ****
• Walking Ones Test (includes Parity Module Test)
• Select Memory Testing Range Function ****

Note: when any of the Main Memory Tests are run, #1-TuffTEST-Pro can be relocated on each pass (from the lower portion of main memory to the upper portion of main memory and then back again). This insures that ALL of main memory is rigorously tested. Thisunequaled ability to test the lower portion of main memory (that is normally occupied by the operating system and operating system dependent programs) is vitally important because this is the most used portion of memory and, therefore, the most likely area to fail.

Extended Memory Tests - Up to 3.5 Gigabytes!

• Abbreviated Memory Test ****
• Extensive Memory Test ****
• Allzeroes Test (includes Parity Module Test)
• Allones Test (includes Parity Module Test)
• Checkerboard Test (includes Parity Module Test)
• Address Test (includes Parity Module Test)
• Marching Ones Test (includes Parity Module Test) ****
• Walking Ones Test (includes Parity Module Test)
• Select Memory Testing Range Function ****

Keyboard Tests ****

• PC-Style Keyboard Test (10 Function Keys)
• Enhanced Keyboard Test (12 Function Keys)
• AT-Style Keyboard (10 Function Keys)
• 102-Key Enhanced Keyboard (European Distribution)
• NCR PC-8 Keyboard (30 Function Keys)

Video Alignment Aids

• Cross-Hatch Pattern
• Dot Pattern
• Vertical Bars Pattern
• Horizontal Bars Pattern
• Text Color Chart

Video Adapter Tests

• Verify Screen Memory Test
• Character Set Test
• Video Attributes Test
• Fill Display Test
• Cursor Addressing Test
• Video Memory Test
• Hi-Res Color Test
• Text Resolution Test

Error Log Function ****

• Display Error Log
• Print Error Log
• Clear Error Log

#1-TuffTEST-Pro supports desktop PCs that use Intel Pentium 4, Pentium III, Pentium II, Pentium Pro, Pentium, i486, 80386, 80286****, 8088****, 8086****, and compatible AMD and Cyrix processors with Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), Enhanced Industry Standard Architecture (EISA), VESA Local Bus (VLB), and Peripheral Component Inter-connect (PCI) bus configurations.

Note: four asterisks (****) after a test or function above indicates it is unique to #1-TuffTEST-Pro and is not available in #1-TuffTEST.

#1-TuffTEST-Pro will test all speeds, sizes and types of memory including RDRAM and DDR SDRAM.

What Doesn't #1-TuffTEST-Pro Do?

Now for the next logical question, "what doesn't #1-TuffTEST-Pro do"?

As stated earlier, #1-TuffTEST-Pro, with its own boot-loader and operating system, is a highly specialized diagnostic software "tool" that provides superior "hardware" testing because the target system's native operating system is never used or called into memory.

Thus, #1-TuffTEST-Pro can directly test major system components such as memory, fixed disk drives, diskette drives, serial & parallel ports, video, keyboard, etc. False positives and false negatives that can be induced by the system's native operating system are eliminated.

However, since the PC's native operating system is not available to #1-TuffTEST-Pro, it cannot use the operating system's functions or interact with the various devices that, due to their proprietary design, are not supported by the PC's BIOS. Examples include pointing devices, CD-ROM drives, sound cards, network cards, etc. These devices require the availability of their own special native operating system-based software drivers and only a utility that runs under the target system's native operating system can see and interact with these drivers.

Since numerous operating system-based diagnostic utilities have always been available to see, exercise and resolve conflicts with these devices, #1-TuffTEST-Pro has remained specialized in doing what it does best - directly and rigorously test the PC's basic hardware.

Our customers recognize this and use #1-TuffTEST-Pro in conjunction with, not instead of, operating system dependent products such as #1-TuffTEST for Windows , Norton Utilities, PC-Doctor, CheckIt Pro, etc.  They use #1-TuffTEST-Pro to reliably test the system's basic "hardware" and DOS/Windows-based utility products for help with configuration issues and conflicts.

Ease of Use

#1-TuffTEST-Pro is extremely easy to learn because of its user-friendly, menu-driven structure. Service and support people, regardless of their experience level, can quickly zero in on the problem and repair or replace only the defective system component (instead of replacing good parts in a blind attempt to solve the problem by random parts swapping).

Technical Support

#1-TuffTEST-Pro comes with technical support during normal business hours via e-mail, fax, or mail.

Upgrade Information for New Version 3.53

Once you license #1-TuffTEST-Pro it can be upgraded for life. For your convenience, upgrades are always totally backward compatible so you never have to worry about using your old Program CD-ROMs or Program Diskettes with your new Program CD-ROMs or Program Diskettes.

There is usually one upgrade per year or whenever support is added for major new hardware. 

For example, new version 3.53, adds support for:

Unlimited Memory Testing. Will now identify and test ANY amount of memory. Unlimited Hard Drive Testing. Will now identify and test ANY size hard drive. The drive(s) can be located on the Primary IDE Channel, Secondary IDE Channel, SATA MB socket and/or attached to a supported SCSI host adapter (see below). Testing SCSI Hard Drives. Any SCSI hard drive can now be tested provided its host adapter's BIOS supports INT13h and drive counting located at 4075 in the BIOS data area. Testing Up To 4 Hard Drives Per PC. Will now test up to 4 IDE, EIDE, SATA and/or SCSI hard drives per PC.

The new version also includes numerous minor enhancements & fixes. To upgrade, all we need is your Name and #1-TuffTEST-Pro Serial Number.

The cost of a #1-TuffTEST-Pro upgrade ranges from no charge to a nominal charge depending upon the size of the upgrade. This can be determined by the version number which always has the following format: X.XXx

• Any change to the second X after the decimal, or the small x after it, means it is a minor upgrade or patch, and there will be no charge. Any change to the X's immediately before and after the decimal means it is a major upgrade and there may be a nominal charge.
• For example, if your version number is 3.50 and you check our download page and see that the current version is 3.51 or 3.52a, etc., you can go ahead and download  the upgrade using your Name and current #1-TuffTEST-Pro Serial Number at no charge. If, however, you see that the version number is 3.60 or 4.00a, etc., there may be a nominal charge for a new #1-TuffTEST-Pro Serial Number.

Note: The current version can always be downloaded at the:

Licensed User Area

A Welcome Addition To Your Tool Bag

In conclusion, a professional support/service person's tool bag is always full of "specialized" tools because they do a much better job than "multi-purpose" tools. For this same reason, no single diagnostic "software" tool is appropriate for all PC troubleshooting situations. That is why you need more than one diagnostic software "tool" in you tool bag.

Due to the lack of industry standards and the overwhelming number of different PC hardware manufacturers and configurations, no PC diagnostic software product will find ALL hardware problems. But over time #1-TuffTEST-Pro will find many more "hardware" problems than operating system dependent products.

To quote Service News, is "#1-TuffTEST-Pro ...the best diagnostic product of its type,"....why not try it for yourself ?

Affordably Priced - TEST Plugs 

#1-TuffTEST-Pro is one of the best diagnostic values available. #1-TuffTEST-Pro costs only $9.95 to download! And the optional set of parallel port and serial port signal loopback TEST Plugs (one 25-pin parallel, one 9-pin serial & one 25-pin serial) are only $19.00, plus shipping.

TEST Plugs are used with the "external" parallel port and serial port tests.  The specific tests are noted in Tests & Functions.

If you wish to order a set of  TEST Plugs at a later time they can be purchased from our automated "online" ordering system using a VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover credit card.

The #1-TuffTEST-Pro TEST Plugs Order Page is located at:

#1-TuffTEST-Pro Test Plugs Order Page

You do not, however, have to buy the TEST Plugs because complete pinouts are provided in the User Handbook so, if you prefer to, you can make them yourself.

No service or support person's tool box is complete
without it, so order your #1-TuffTEST-Pro today!

INSTANT DOWNLOAD Information

#1-TuffTEST-Pro is only distributed via download. The download files and complete instructions are available at the: 

Licensed User Area

Click on Upgrades for additional upgrade information.

#1-TuffTEST-Pro is an outstanding diagnostic value. A set of parallel and serial signal loopback TEST Plugs may also be purchased.

No one's set of diagnostic tools is complete without #1-TuffTEST-Pro so: