System for performing remote computer system diagnostic tests

Patent 5367667 Issued on November 22, 1994. Estimated Expiration Date:

September 25, 2012. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

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Inventors

Assignee

Compaq Computer Corporation

Application

No. 951724 filed on 09/25/1992

US Classes:

714/32, Particular stimulus creation714/31, Additional processor for in-system fault locating (e.g., distributed diagnosis program)714/46Operator interface for diagnosing or testing

Examiners

Primary: Nguyen, Hiep T.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Pravel, Hewitt, Kimball & Krieger

International Class

G06F 011/00

Abstract

A method for performing remote diagnostics on a personal computer system in which the user calls a help desk representative who creates a computerized case file which includes modem telephone numbers, call and computer identification information. The representative also selects specific diagnostic tests, resident on the user's diagnostic disk, to be run on the user's computer. The representative creates a batch job which causes a computer to connect to the user's computer via modem and instructs the user's computer to perform the selected tests. The telephone connection is then broken. The user's computer reconnects with the help desk computer on completion of the tests and reports the result to the help desk representative. The representative then reviews the files and calls the user with recommendations. Certain necessary files can then be downloaded using a similar procedure.