Re: Microprocessor question

From: Tam/WB2TT (t-tammaru_at_c0mca$t.net)
Date: 10/27/04 

Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 09:14:22 -0400

"gary s" <gary_s@REMexcite.com> wrote in message
news:k7qtn0lclsqhurcvlm0pnsa10jp5ov38hq@4ax.com...
> Thanks for all the prompt replies I've seen so far.
>
> I work for a reseller, and my company acts as the broker for large
> batches of different types of microprocessors bought on the "gray"
> market to meet production shortages. There is no longer any
> manufacturer's warranty, therefore there is a desire to screen out
> parts that are dead, slow, or counterfeit. It appears there are folks
> out there who are making a living remarking slow parts, or assembling
> parts that have been scrapped off the manufacturer's production
> line...
>
> I've been told that after a microprocessor leaves the manufacturer,
> there is really no way to test it except on a motherboard/application
> board (or some kind of evaluation board). My customers are doing this
> after their assembly process. But it would be nice to have some kind
> of meaningful acceptance testing at my end before they get the part.
>
> I've received suggestions that (1) maybe there is a way to see if the
> thing wiggles (the assumption is if you can wiggle it (maybe getting
> it in and out of reset?), it's probably good - or there is a live chip
> inside anyway), and (2) maybe there is a way to do something like
> adding 2 and 2 (or loop on something) to see if the thing can perform
> at the advertised speed.
>
> Evidently I would need the services of an EE to attempt something like
> this. And if this "generic microprocessor checker" can be built, I
> suspect it's going to be a challenge mechanically, owing to all the
> different pin-outs and package types. I just wanted to know from the
> experts on here if this is something that is worth pursuing, or
> proposing to my management.
>
> Thanks again -
>
> Gary
>
What I have done to test a new board is to write a simple program that
executes on power up:
1) write 55 to some memory location
2) write AA to same memory location
3) Read memory location
4 loop back to 1)

Hor an Intel type chip, I also did an IOR and IOW.

This obviously requires different hardware for each type of chip. I don't
see any way around that.

Tam

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Microprocessor question
    ... > out there who are making a living remarking slow parts, ... > after their assembly process. ... write 55 to some memory location ... Hor an Intel type chip, I also did an IOR and IOW. ...
    (sci.electronics.components)
  • Re: Microprocessor question
    ... > out there who are making a living remarking slow parts, ... > after their assembly process. ... write 55 to some memory location ... Hor an Intel type chip, I also did an IOR and IOW. ...
    (sci.electronics.basics)
  • Re: Microprocessor question
    ... > out there who are making a living remarking slow parts, ... > after their assembly process. ... write 55 to some memory location ... Hor an Intel type chip, I also did an IOR and IOW. ...
    (sci.electronics.design)