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╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ Dr-Chips ║ ║ ║ ║ Advanced Memory Diagnostic ║ ║ ║ ║ by ║ ║ ║ ║ Alpha Group Operation ║ ║ ║ ║ 3953 Glen Meadow Dr. Norcross, GA. 30092 ║ ║ ║ ║ (404) 448-2828 ║ ║ ║ ║ Copyright 1989 by Raymond Gronek. ║ ║ ║ ║ All Rights Reserved ║ ║ ║ ║ United States Patent Applied ║ ║ ║ ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ YOU ARE THE BEST AND Dr-Chips WILL PROVE IT ╔═══════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ║ ║ ▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒ ║ ║ ▒▒░░ ░░░▒▒ ║ ║ ▒▒░░ !REWARD! $ 5.00 !REWARD! ░░░▒▒ ║ ║ ▒▒░░ ░░░▒▒ ║ ║ ▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒ ║ ║ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════╝ IT IS WELL PROVEN - THAT A SATISFIED CUSTOMER IS THE BEST ADVERTISING A PRODUCT CAN HAVE - AND WE WANT YOU TO BE OUR BEST. ********* Dr-Chips WILL PAY YOU A $5.00 MARKETING BONUS FOR EVERY NEW PROGRAM SOLD WHEN YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBER IS LISTED ON OUR ORDER FORM AS THE REFERENCE SOURCE FOR THE PURCHASE OF A Dr-Chips PROGRAM. ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBER IS STAMPED ON YOUR DISK ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════╝ See BONUS PAYMENT & ORDER FORM which contains specific information about the valuable Marketing Bonus program and Order Processing. WHAT WILL Dr-Chips DO ? Dr-Chips PERFORMS RAM CHIP TESTING IN A TOTALLY NEW WAY. THIS UNIQUE PROGRAM ACTUALLY MEASURES THE PERFORMANCE OF EACH RAM CHIP. THIS IS NOT JUST ANOTHER QUICK PASSIVE TEST TO VERIFY IF THE CHIPS ARE STILL IN THE SOCKETS. Dr-Chips ACTUALLY VERIFIES THE PROPOR- TIONATE CAPABILITY OF EACH CHIP AS IT FUNCTIONS IN "YOUR" COM- PUTER. WHY Dr-Chips: BAD RAM CHIPS CAUSE PARITY ERRORS, INVALID OPCODE TRAPS AND INTER- MITTENT SYSTEM CRASHES. Dr-Chips: IDENTIFIES AND LOCATES LOWER QUALITY RAM CHIPS, THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF PARITY ERRORS. Dr-Chips EVALUATES THE QUALITY OF ALL RAM CHIPS AND DISPLAYS A GRAPHICAL RATING MAP OF EACH CHIP'S QUALITY AND ALL MEMORY ERRORS DETECTED. IF THE USER ENCOUNTERS PARITY ERRORS, Dr-Chips WILL FIND THE CHIP CAUSING THE PROBLEM; OR DETERMINE THE SYSTEM MEMORY IS IN GOOD WORKING ORDER AND THE PARITY ERROR IS NOT RAM CHIP RELATED. Dr-Chips IS THE WORLDS ONLY TOOL FOR RAM CHIP QUALITY CONTROL AFTER CHIP INSTALLATION. Dr-Chips PROVIDES A RAM QUALITY INDEX THAT MAY BE USED FOR COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS. Dr-Chips EXECUTES ON: IBM PCs, PC/XTs, PC/ATs, PC/2s, 386 PCs, AND ALL TRUE COMPATIBLES. A BOOTABLE SYSTEM WITH A FLOPPY DISK DRIVE IS REQUIRED. Dr-Chips DELIVERS: 1) A DISPLAYED REPORT OF THE RELATIVE QUALITY OF EACH INDIVIDUAL RAM CHIP IN THE TESTED SYSTEM 2) A MAP WITH HEXADECIMAL COORDINATES TO LOCATE LOWER QUALITY OR DEFECTIVE CHIPS 3) Dr-Chips PROVIDES SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO QUALIFY A SYSTEM'S PROBLEM IS, OR IS NOT, RAM CHIP RELATED. WHEN THERE IS A RAM CHIP CAUSING A PARITY ERROR IN A SYSTEM, Dr-Chips WILL FIND IT!! UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS A RAM CHIP MAY FAIL, Dr-Chips WILL FIND THE CHIPS MOST LIKELY TO FAIL !!! INTRODUCTION and HISTORY Not long ago a number of PC/XTs introduced in the market had de- veloped memory problems. Without warning and ALWAYS at the worst possible time the horrid PARITY ERROR message would suddenly ap- pear. The PARITY ERROR message means that some memory chip had failed. When the PARITY ERROR hit many PCs would halt. However, these clones, and many other systems, would display the offending address and ask to continue. Now the dilemma was to continue with bad data or lose hours of work and valued data. None of the standard diagnostic programs could ever find a bad memory chip with these systems. Fortunately knowing the address, we could sometimes swap out a bank of chips. With further guess- work we might swap out half a bank and test again, refining the er- ror to a couple of chips. Swapping the chips and testing took sev- eral hours but, even worse, was inconclusive, at best. The PARITY ERROR happened just often enough to catch us by sur- prise, once a day or once a week, but always at the worst times. This continuous problem led me to experiment with memory chips and develop the Dr-Chips advanced memory diagnostic pro- gram. The Dr-Chips program evaluates and graphically displays the weaker chips that cause PARITY ERRORs! The hours saved swap- ping chips and guesswork testing are worthwhile, but much more im- portant is the immediate gain of system dependability, since Dr-Chips locates the weak memory chips long before they can cause PARITY ERROR or other problems. We hope you find Dr-Chips as valuable as we have and we look for- ward to serving you in many other ways in the future. - Ray Gronek ALPHA GROUP OPERATION We have designed Dr-Chips to be the most economical program for RAM chip testing and to make it easy to locate hidden RAM chip malfunctions. Dr-Chips is a totally NEW concept and provides a unique diagnostic tool that can help you locate failing RAM chips and help protect your data from sudden RAM chip failures. We have taken as many precautions as feasible within the available limits of our technology to insure your Dr-Chips program is deliv- ered in precision working order. The quality of Dr-Chips program is unconditionally guaranteed to the original purchaser to perform as stated herein and/or to your complete satisfaction or Dr-Chips will refund your purchase as described in our Return Policy and enclosed Limitations of Liability and Warranty statements. Dr-Chips is the first of many innovative products AGO plans to market. Let us know how you like Dr-Chips and how we can serve you again in the future. Thank you: Alpha Group Operation QUICK START 1. Turn your SYSTEM OFF. 2. Insert Dr-Chips diskette in drive A: 3. Turn your SYSTEM ON. Dr-Chips will display the selection screen. 4. Press {F10} to accept default parameters ...or change default parameters with arrow keys. 5. Press {F10} to begin testing. Dr-Chips will do the rest. What you will see is a screen map of your computers RAM memory chips with the segment address values listed at the top and the bit numbers on the left. This provides a technical map of each RAM memory chip and the respective physical location of each chip. Dr-Chips will automatically begin to analyze all selected chips. Dr-Chips may require 40 minutes or more to complete the Normal di- agnostic test. When you have a need for in-depth testing Dr-Chips can provide more extensive tests by applying up to 26 consecutive test patterns and running a comprehensive diagnostic access test. The comprehensive test, however, may require several hours to com- plete. You will see Dr-Chips registering the memory chip quality and error count on the bottom line of the screen. It may require 30 minutes or more before the first memory failure occurs. When it does, the failing chips are highlighted. Dr-Chips continues testing memory until a statistically significant sampling is obtained. When test- ing is completed a message is displayed and the memory map displays each chip tested with an attribute that corresponds to its observed quality. The system's memory quality index is displayed on the bottom of the screen. The weakest chips in the system will be flashing and colored red. Other relatively weak chips may be yel- low and contain question marks '?' in them. Most of the chips will be blue and only their outline will be displayed. Well just what chips are GOOD or BAD. Normally this would require a great deal of engineering skill. But we are giving you a type of "Xray" (the best way to describe Dr-Chips ) as a guide. The QUALITY index displayed on the bottom of the screen when the diagnostic completed is the major determinant of further action. The QUALITY index, the size of memory chips tested, and the occur- rence of PARITY ERRORs (or other memory related problems) determine further investigations or corrections. HOW TO USE Dr-Chips DRAM REPLACEMENT GUIDE: 1. YOU MUST KNOW THE SIZE CHIPS THAT YOU ARE TESTING ON YOUR MA- CHINE. REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE COLUMN (64K, 256K, OR 1 MEG) ON THE FOLLOWING DRAM REPLACEMENT GUIDE. 2. USE THE QUALITY INDEX DISPLAYED AT TEST COMPLETION - (PROVIDED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE TEST SCREEN) - LOCATE THIS NUMBER, GENERALLY BETWEEN 0 AND 60, ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE GUIDE. 3. THE PATTERN GIVEN AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE CHIP SIZE AND QUALITY INDEX DESCRIBES THE SUGGESTED FURTHER ACTION. A. IF THE PATTERN IS '░░░░' (THE LOWER REGION OF THE GRAPH) THE SYSTEM MEMORY QUALITY INDEX IS VERY LOW FOR THE SIZE OF THE CHIPS USED. THE SUGGESTED ACTION IS TO REPLACE THE RED FLASHING CHIPS [***] AND YELLOW REVERSED VIDEO CHIPS [???]. B. IF THE PATTERN IS '▒▒▒▒' (THE MIDDLE REGION OF THE GRAPH) THE RED FLASHING CHIPS HAVE A LOW QUALITY AND MAY NEED REPLACEMENT. C. IF THE PATTERN IS CLEAR ' ' THE SYSTEM MEMORY QUALITY INDEX IS SATISFACTORY. NEITHER THE RED FLASHING CHIPS NOR THE YELLOW CHIPS SHOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. IF PARITY ERRORS OCCUR ON THE SYSTEM, THE RED FLASHING CHIP SHOULD BE REPLACED REGARDLESS OF THE QUALITY INDEX. EXAMPLES: A. IF YOU ARE TESTING 64K CHIPS, AND Dr-Chips YIELDS A QUALITY IN- DEX NUMBER OF 33, THE CHIPS ARE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. B. WHEN TESTING 256K CHIPS, Dr-Chips REPORTED A QUALITY INDEX OF 25. YOU SHOULD CONSIDER REPLACEMENT OF THE RED FLASHING CHIPS. C. TESTING A SYSTEM WITH 64K CHIPS YIELDED A QUALITY INDEX OF 8. ALL RED FLASHING CHIPS AND YELLOW HIGHLIGHTED CHIPS ARE CANDIDATES FOR REPLACEMENT. WHILE THE SYSTEM MAY BE FUNCTIONING WITHOUT ER- RORS, REPLACEMENT OF THE WEAKEST CHIPS WILL IMPROVE SYSTEM RELI- ABILITY. Dr-Chips DRAM REPLACEMENT GUIDE: ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ DRAM CHIP SIZE ║ ║ 64K 256K 1MEG ║ 60 -╠═══════════════════╤═══════════════════╤═══════════════════╣ ║ ║ ║ │ │ ▒║ ║ < REPLACE FLASHING > ▒▒▒║ ║ < OR ANY RED CHIPS > ▒▒▒▒▒║ 50 -║ < IF PARITY ERRORS > ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║ ║ │ OCCUR │ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║ ║ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║ ║ │ │ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║ ║ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║ 40 -║ │ │ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░║ ║ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░║ ║ │ ▒│▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░║ ║ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░║ 30 -║ │ ▒▒▒▒▒▒│▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░║ ║ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░║ ║ │ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░║ ║ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░║ ║ │ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░│░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░║ 20 -║ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░║ ║ ▒│▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░│░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░║ ║ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░║ ║ ▒▒▒▒▒▒░│░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░║ ║ ▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░║ 10 -║ ▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░│░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░║ ║ ▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░║ ║ ▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░│░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░║ ║▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░║ ║▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░║ 0 -╠═══════════════════╧═══════════════════╧═══════════════════╣ ╘═══╬ < Dr-Chips QUALITY INDEX AT COMPLETION OF THE DIAGNOSTIC ║ ╠════════════════════════════╦══════════════════════════════╣ ║ DISPLAYED CHIP PRINTED ║ GRAPH SUGGESTED ║ ║ ATTRIBUTE REPORTS ║ PATTERN ACTION ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ FLASHING or RED *** ║ ▒▒▒▒ REPLACE FLASHING ║ ║ ║ CHIPS ONLY ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ BRIGHT or YELLOW ??? ║ ░░░░ REPLACE FLASHING ║ ║ ║ AND BRIGHT CHIPS ║ ╚════════════════════════════╩══════════════════════════════╝ BONUS PAYMENT POLICY & ORDER FORMS ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBER IS STAMPED ON YOUR DISK ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════╝ A. USER REGISTRATION CARD: To be eligible for any marketing bonuses or future updates of the Dr-Chips program you MUST register your purchase by returning a copy of the enclosed USER REGISTRATION CARD provided in the forms section. Send the registration card to: Alpha Group Operation at 3953 Glen Meadow Dr. Norcross GA 30092. B. PAYMENT POLICY: All Dr-Chips orders are processed prepaid. (Please refer to sec- tions G, H, I, & J.) This is done to provide you the best possible product at the lowest reasonable cost. Due to the small amount of money involved in each purchase, all other forms of intended pay- ment add accounting, tracking and unnecessary administration cost and actually defeat our objective of providing you high quality products at the best possible price. However, we will make every effort to comply with certain government and major corporation purchasing policies whenever possible. C. MARKETING BONUSES: All MARKETING BONUSES are paid by company check WITHOUT VERIFICA- TION. The BONUSES are paid on every order for Dr-Chips that in- cludes a REFERENCE ACCOUNT number. The BONUSES are paid to the PERSON assigned to the ACCOUNT number given as the reference. YOUR ACCOUNT number is stamped on your original Dr-Chips diskette. The $5.00 MARKETING BONUS will be paid for each copy of Dr-Chips purchased directly from Alpha Group Operation. For example, if any- one orders 10 copies of Dr-Chips and gives YOUR ACCOUNT number as a reference, YOU will receive a $50.00 check after payment and ac- ceptance of the order. All Marketing Bonuses will be paid during the first week of the month following the completion of each new Dr-Chips purchase. For example: a. A Dr-Chips program is purchased on November 10th with your ACCOUNT number given as the reference. b. The new purchaser keeps Dr-Chips through our guaranteed money back return period (November 20th) c. A $5.00 Marketing Bonus check will be mailed to you at your Account address during the first week of December. THANK YOU FOR THE REFERRAL AND YOUR SUPPORT. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SENDING YOU THE EARNED MARKETING BONUS IN THE NEAR FUTURE. BONUS CANCELLATION POLICY: If Dr-Chips is purchased for any company or agency and Alpha Group Operation is directed to change the Bonus Payment Policy by that authority, Alpha Group Operation will comply with that request and all Bonus payments will become Null and Void. This does not apply to any personally purchased copies of Dr-Chips. C. LONG TERM ACCOUNTS: It is your responsibility to keep your Account address up to date. Any address changes or payment procedure changes you may require must be sent in writing to Alpha Group Operation. If for any reason whatsoever, any notice, mail or check sent to any Account address is returned, the Account will be considered closed and no further Marketing Bonuses will be paid to the Account. D. REPLACEMENT COPIES: Replacement Copies of Dr-Chips are available to all registered us- ers for a discounted fee of $12.00 US per copy which includes ship- ping and handling via 1st. class mail to North America. (See ORDER PROCESSING CHART for other options) The replacement fee is $18.00 US for most foreign countries. All copy requests must be accompa- nied with YOUR ACCOUNT number and payment. The replacement copy of Dr-Chips will be returned to the current registered Account address of the purchaser. Corporate account replacement copies can be shipped immediately upon verbal request using preestablished Purchase Order procedures and/or as provided within the Alpha Group Operation GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS. E. DEALER PROGRAMS: Dealer and Distributor inquiries are welcome. Corporate Account purchases and Government Agency contracts are available and struc- tured on contract and/or purchase order basis. However, most agree- ments are administered through AGO Dealers and Distributors. Dealer discounts begin with a minimum introductory volume purchase of Ten (10) units with progressive discounting in multiple groups of (25) units up to One Hundred (100) units per purchase. Special annual Distribution and Dealer agreements for contract accounts and foreign countries are evaluated on an individual basis. We look forward to receiving your requests and suggestions. F. RETURN POLICY: If you are not satisfied with this Dr-Chips program for any reason whatsoever simply return your original Dr-Chips program disk to us within Ten (10) Days from the purchase date and Dr-Chips will pro- vide a refund for the total purchase price less all shipping and handling charges. Refunds will be made only to the original pur- chaser identified in the Dr-Chips Account. All returned product must be returned in the original mailing carton with a letter ex- plaining your reasons for returning the program. This RETURN POLICY and certain Bonus offers DO NOT apply to Govern- ment, Dealer, Replacement copies, Discounted sales, Corporate and other forms of volume purchases, unless altered by contract. Alpha Group Operation is not bound by and does not agree to accept any restrictions of purchase or payment not previously agreed to in writing and accepted by all parties prior to any purchase date of any Dr-Chips program purchased by any individual or agency. ╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ G. SPECIAL GOVERNMENT ORDERS: ║ ║ ║ ║ That require specific Government Security Clearance for ║ ║ restricted internal section use or require alterations of ║ ║ this general circulation code, design development, special ║ ║ or custom code changes for sensitive environments, issues, ║ ║ and conditions and/or delivery and use in specially secured ║ ║ facilities requiring prior security clearance are not subject ║ ║ to any conditions stated in these documents provided herein, ║ ║ but are addressed by other specific proprietary agreements. ║ ║ Each request will be evaluated and accepted on a singular ║ ║ basis. The results of all test programs provided will attempt ║ ║ to provide a rapid and economical method of uncovering an ║ ║ initial point of awareness to begin investigation to correct ║ ║ possible RAM processing errors in a secured computer system. ║ ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ ╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ USER REGISTRATION CARD: ║ ║ PURCHASE DATE: ____________ ACCOUNT NUMBER: __________________ ║ ║ ║ ║ NAME OF PURCHASER: ______________ __________________________ ║ ║ ║ ║ COMPANY NAME: ________________________________________________ ║ ║ ║ ║ STREET ADDRESS 1: ____________________________________________ ║ ║ ║ ║ STREET ADDRESS 2: ____________________________________________ ║ ║ ║ ║ CITY: ____________________ STATE:________ ZIP ________________ ║ ║ Prov. ║ ║ TITLE: ____________________ PHONE _________ __________________ ║ ║ ac-country ║ ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ H. BLANK ORDER FORM: ╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ To. Dr-Chips by Alpha Group Operation (404) 448-2828 ║ ║ 3953 Glen Meadow Dr. Norcross, GA. 30092 ║ ╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ ORDER FORM for Dr-Chips Advanced Memory Diagnostic. ║ ╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ ORDER DATE: _______________ ║ ║ From: ║ ║ NAME OF PURCHASER: ______________ __________________________ ║ ║ ║ ║ COMPANY NAME: ________________________________________________ ║ ║ ║ ║ STREET ADDRESS 1: ____________________________________________ ║ ║ ║ ║ STREET ADDRESS 2: ____________________________________________ ║ ║ ║ ║ CITY: ____________________ STATE:________ ZIP ________________ ║ ║ Prov. ║ ║ TITLE: ____________________ PHONE _________ __________________ ║ ║ ac-country ║ ║ DEPARTMENT NAME: _____________________________________________ ║ ║ ║ ║ SPECIAL SECTION LOCATION: ____________________________________ ║ ║ mail stop. military location, etc. ║ ║ ║ ╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ REFERENCE ACCOUNT NUMBER: (if applicable) ___________________ ║ ╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ SAMPLE for a NORMAL ONE SYSTEM ORDER: ║ ║ QUANTITY Dr-Chips DISCOUNT S/H CHG. EXTENDED ║ ║ ORDERED VER. 1.1 SCHEDULE $3.00 ea. PRICE ║ ║ ║ ║ __ 1 ___ $ 29.95 __ N/A ___ _$ 3.00 $ 32.95 ║ ║ ║ ║ TAX or ID NO. ________________________ S/TOTAL $ 32.95 ║ ║ ║ ║ ADDITIONAL OPTIONS COST: ______________________ _______ ║ ║ (see options chart below) ║ ║ + APPROPRIATE Government Duties and Taxes ---- = _______ ║ ║ ║ ║ TOTAL _______ ║ ║ ║ ╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ ║ ║ REF. PURCHASE ORDER / ACCOUNT NUMBER: _____________________ ║ ║ ║ ║ BANK NAME: ___________________________ CHECK NO. ____________ ║ ║ ║ ╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ ║ ║ SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: All C.O.D. orders and other optional ║ ║ costs are listed on the following ORDER PROCESSING CHART: ║ ║ ║ ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ I. ORDER PROCESSING CHART: ╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ ORDER PROCESSING CHART: ║ ║ Order Processing,Packaging,Shipping,Handling and Local Taxes. ║ ╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ Example ORDER: ║ ║ The Dr-Chips program purchase price -------------- $ 29.95 ║ ║ Prepaid Check or Money orders in U.S. dollars --- + $ 3.00 ║ ║ TOTAL payment amount = --------------------------- $ 32.95 ║ ╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ ║ ║ ADDITIONAL OPTIONS COST: ║ ║ ║ ║ INVOICE ORDERS for Purchase Orders (Not under Contract) ║ ║ Sorry but this is not a $600,000,000 rocket engine part. ║ ║ This is the real invoice processing cost and not an ║ ║ interest charge, it is required to help keep Dr-Chips ║ ║ a low cost high quality product. Please ADD -------- $ 4.00 ║ ║ Example ORDER TOTAL Ship via 1st. Class U.S.Mail --- $ 38.95 ║ ║ ║ ║ C.O.D. ORDERS ║ ║ Sent Via United Parcel Service in North America ║ ║ ║ ║ C.O.D. U.P.S. Ground Please Add ------------------- $ 4.00 ║ ║ A. Example ORDER TOTAL Ship via UPS COD Ground ------ $ 36.95 ║ ║ ║ ║ C.O.D. U.P.S. Blue Label Second Day Service ------- $ 5.00 ║ ║ B. Example ORDER TOTAL Ship via UPS BLUE ------------ $ 37.95 ║ ║ ║ ║ C.O.D. U.P.S. Red Label Same Day Service ---------- $ 14.00 ║ ║ C. Example ORDER TOTAL Ship via UPS (24) hour RED --- $ 46.95 ║ ║ ║ ║ CREDIT CARD and/or CHARGE ORDERS ║ ║ Credit cards are not free! Besides paying a hefty percentage ║ ║ to the credit card company, we must allow for non-payments ║ ║ and absorb the extra accounting burden. ║ ║ Typical ORDER TOTAL Ship via 1st. Class U.S.Mail --- $ 32.95 ║ ║ Optional charge for Credit Card Payment -- $ 4.00 ║ ║ Example ORDER TOTAL for a credit card purchase ----- $ 36.95 ║ ║ ║ ║ MULTIPLE PURCHASE OPTIONS: ║ ║ All bulk shipments and multiple copy purchases are quoted at ║ ║ cost at the time of purchase and/or as provided in contract ║ ║ quotes and dealer agreements that vary in price by agreement. ║ ║ ║ ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ J. BLANK INVOICE FORM: if your company requires one. ╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ From. Dr-Chips by Alpha Group Operation (404) 448-2828 ║ ║ 3953 Glen Meadow Dr. Norcross, GA. 30092 ║ ╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ INVOICE: from Dr-Chips RAM test program. PRICE $ 29.95 ║ ╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ ORDER DATE: _______________ ║ ║ Paid by: ║ ║ NAME OF PURCHASER: ______________ __________________________ ║ ║ ║ ║ COMPANY NAME: ________________________________________________ ║ ║ ║ ║ STREET ADDRESS 1: ____________________________________________ ║ ║ ║ ║ STREET ADDRESS 2: ____________________________________________ ║ ║ ║ ║ CITY: ____________________ STATE:________ ZIP ________________ ║ ║ Prov. ║ ║ ║ ║ TITLE: ____________________ PHONE _________ __________________ ║ ║ ac-country ║ ║ ║ ║ DEPARTMENT NAME: _____________________________________________ ║ ║ ║ ║ SPECIAL SECTION LOCATION: ____________________________________ ║ ║ mail stop. military location, etc. ║ ║ ║ ╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ AGO REFERENCE ACCOUNT NUMBER: If available __________________ ║ ╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ ║ ║ QUANTITY Dr-Chips DISCOUNT AS/H CHG. EXTENDED ║ ║ ORDERED VER. 1.0 SCHEDULE $3.00 ea. PRICE ║ ║ ║ ║ ________ _$ 29.95__ __________ _$ 3.00 _ ________ ║ ║ ║ ║ TAX or ID NO. ________________________ TOTAL ________ ║ ║ ║ ╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ ║ ║ PURCHASE ORDER / ACCOUNT NUMBER: __________________________ ║ ║ ║ ║ ______________________________________________________________ ║ ║ ║ ╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ ║ ║ SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: All C.O.D. orders at additional cost. ║ ║ ║ ║ ______________________________________________________________ ║ ║ ║ ║ ______________________________________________________________ ║ ║ ║ ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ TECHNICAL REFERENCE A: WHEN TO UTILIZE: The diagnostic should be used when memory problems occur such as the power-on-self-test routine shows a memory error, or when a par- ity error occurs, or, on 286 based systems, if an invalid opcode exception happens. The diagnostic program should also be used for quality assurance testing if a range of acceptable QUALITY has been determined. The program can then be run to check the relative qual- ity of the memory chips and other memory related logic. B: DYNAMIC MEMORY PRIMER: Standard memory diagnostics test memory chips only for hard er- rors. Memory chips, however, can fail in many other ways. Volt- age, temperature, radiation, location, aging, and access patterns affect their reliability and access timing. Unfortunately, after installation in a system few of these parameters can be properly controlled for adequate testing. Yet these conditions are con- stantly changing and when critical create SOFT memory errors. Imagine a warm summer day with a system next to a window, a disk intensive program is using all of memory. The warm room, sunlight, and heat from the disk drive, warm the memory chips. Disk accesses creates voltage fluctuations which are heightened by sporadic processing. A weak memory chip fails to write the correct data and sometime later 'PARITY ERROR'. Dr-Chips is an Advanced Memory Diag- nostic that recreates this scenario. Besides testing for hard er- rors and addressing problems, it fluctuates the voltage and accesses memory in every way. It tests whether the data was written cor- rectly and if it is retained under all conditions. Eventually, some memory chip will fail!! The failing memory chip is probably the same one that will fail during a warm summer day. C: HOW TO EXECUTE: The best time to run Dr-Chips is when you are going to a meeting or lunch. It does take a while to test all of the chips at multiple levels. If you don't get any errors at the beginning of a test DON'T panic but let Dr-Chips continue the diagnosis. The system should be warm and running at its fastest speed. Then simply execute the diagnostic. This version accepts several param- eters. First, the program loads itself from the floppy and checks how much memory the system has. It then determines what type of processor and system is being tested, and displays the default pa- rameters for acceptance. An explanation of the parameters follow: NOVICE or EXPERT: determines whether error statistics should be displayed. The novice mode classifies failed chips into two categories, weakest and questionable. The expert mode displays the error count of each chip and other test data. SYSTEM MEMORY BUS SIZE: controls the display to match the memory architecture of the system. This parameter should be changed only if the processor is a 16-bit 386SX or a 16-bit 8086. PRINTER: controls the destination of hard-copy output when the PrtSc key is pressed. The user may request to print the screen at any time during the diagnostic without affecting the results. Because of critical functions, there may be a delay between key press and output. MEMORY RANGE: Dr-Chips is designed to test memory upto 640K. This range of memory is divided into ten memory segments indicated by '0' to '9'. The program tests all memory by default, however, the user may enter a single segment or range of segments for testing. Different sized chips in the test range can complicate the analysis of test results. TEST PATTERNS: The default value of 4 test patterns gives excellent coverage of memory failures. More patterns provide a much greater test coverage for memory support chips which are sensitive to different patterns. The time required to complete the diagnostic is proportional to the number of test patterns. TEST ALGORITHM: Dr-Chips allows the user to select between NORMAL testing and EXHAUSTIVE testing. EXHAUSTIVE testing includes the most effective tests for common memory failures. However, EXHAUSTIVE testing requires much longer to complete the diagnostic. NORMAL testing requires less time, provides less failure coverage, but usually identifies the same problem chips. Dr-Chips then begins testing each segment (64K bytes) of memory with different patterns, access methods and timing. The chips are displayed below their segment address. On 286 or 8086 machines a HI or LO is displayed with the segment value. This denotes the lower (even) or higher (odd) byte of the 16-bit bus. At a point a memory chip will fail and (in EXPERT mode) the errors per chip are displayed. The displayed chips colors and attributes changes with their error level. The diagnostic will be completed when a suffi- cient number of errors are found. At any time the user may press the <ESCape> key to terminate the test and re-boot the system. Pressing the <PrtSc> key will print the display on the selected parallel printer. It's important to note which chip is failing so it may be replaced. On systems that report the address of parity errors a defective chip found by Dr-Chips will match the parity er- ror segment value. For example, if the parity error reported 5AB07 as the failing address there will be a weak memory chip in segment 5, (or 4000 [HI or LO] on 286 machines). There may exist chips in other segments that are worse, these should also be replaced. The color and display attribute of each chip symbol describes its relative performance to the other chips in the system. The QUALITY index is a rating for the weakest chip in the test range. The results reported can vary based on equipment compatibilities and quality of installation of the components in each particular system environment and the results must be evaluated on it's merits and is subject to verification and detailed investigations. Due to certain specific limitations of the DOS file structure and the unique processing methods used within the Dr-Chips program, the DOS utilities will not make a faithful reproduction of the original Dr-Chips program. CAUTION: if you attempt to copy the program, the new media may or may not run. However the effectiveness of the at- tempted copy of Dr-Chips will be altered and the results, if any, will not report accurate findings and Alpha Group Operation is not responsible for any result caused by non registered copies of the Dr-Chips program. ╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ PARTS OF THIS SECTION REQUIRE SPECIFIC TECHNICAL TRAINING ║ ║ DO NOT PROCEED IF YOU ARE A NOT CERTIFIED COMPUTER TECHNICIAN ║ ║ ║ ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ ****** CAUTION ***** THIS SECTION IS PROVIDED FOR CERTIFIED COMPUTER TECHNICIANS ONLY. Make sure you read and understand these following sections before you make any guesses or begin changing any chips in you system. The following section is a TECHNICAL REFERENCE for use by qualified personnel only. To use this section you MUST have a good knowledge of computer repair and understand all electrical hazard precautions to prevent accidental damage to any property or person. UNPLUG THE COMPUTER NOW * AND CALL A CERTIFIED SERVICE TECHNICIAN. ╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ DO NOT PROCEED IF YOU ARE A NOT CERTIFIED COMPUTER TECHNICIAN ║ ║ ║ ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ C: HOW TO LOCATE MEMORY CHIPS Memory in a microcomputer system is organized as an array of bytes. The length of the array is the amount of memory in the system. Dr-Chips divides the array of memory into segments of 64K bytes. Segment 0 contains memory from location 0 upto 64K, segment 1 con- tains memory from 64K upto 128K, etc. Each byte of memory contains 9 bits; 8 of the 9 bits holds data. The 9th bit is the parity bit, which is used to detect memory errors when a byte is read. Typically, each memory chip contains memory for one bit of a byte over some range of the memory array. If it is a 64K chip it con- tributes 1 bit for 64K bytes which is exactly one segment. If it is a 256K chip it contributes 1 bit for 256K bytes, which spans 4 seg- ments. Systems with an 8 bit system bus read and write one byte at a time. It accesses 9 memory chips (8 data + 1 parity) on every read or write. Systems with a 16 bit bus read or write two bytes of data each memory access. The 16 bit bus accesses 18 memory chips (2 * (8 data + 1 parity)) on every read or write. The 16 bit bus is decom- posed to a low byte (containing bytes at even locations) and a high byte (containing bytes at odd locations). A 64K chip in a system with a 16 bit bus contains memory for one of the bits in either the low or high byte. Since it contains 64K bits, it holds a bit for a 128K range of memory. Dr-Chips denotes the LO or HI byte of chips if testing on a 16-bit bus and changes the segment values to cor- respond to the system's architecture. Hopefully the memory's bank and bits are written on the board. If 64K chips are used (denoted XX64, i.e. 4164) there should be a di- rect correspondence between the display and memory. If 256K chips are used (denoted XX256 or XX257, i.e. 41256) each memory chip spans 4 segments of memory. A 256K chip in the lowest bank holds the bits for segments 0, 1, 2, and 3 on 8-bit systems. A 256K chip in a 16-bit system contains memory for either the high or low byte for 4 segments (segments 0, 2, 4, and 6). ╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ Some mother-boards do not label the bits in the memory array. ║ ║ In this case access to the board's technical documentation ║ ║ is essential. As a last resort try removing a memory chip ║ ║ from the highest bank and running the diagnostic which may ║ ║ show the location for that chip having serious errors. ║ ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ D: HOW TO REPLACE MEMORY CHIPS: The cover of the computer must be removed to access the memory chips. Typically several screws are removed holding the cover and the cover is slipped off to the front. The machine, of course, should be turned off and the power cord should be removed to pre- vent any electrical hazard. The memory chips are 16-pin devices plugged into sockets. An array of them are on the mother-board and possibly a memory expansion board. With a chip puller remove the offending chip and carefully replace with a similar device. Take care less the chips leads get bent and use chips of equal or less access timing. (41256-12 denotes 120ns. -15 = 150ns.) While the cover is off rerun the diagnostic to verify the repair. WARRANTY & LIMITATION OF LIABILITIES WARRANTY: Alpha Group Operations, hereinafter known as (AGO), warrants to Purchaser for a period of sixty (60) days from date of original retail delivery the diskette which the Dr-Chips program and its Documentation is recorded on is free from defects for operation under normal use. AGO warrants that the Dr-Chips program itself will perform substantially in accordance with its description in the Documentation provided with the program. AGO will replace any Dr-Chips diskette which proves defective. AGO will either repair or replace any Dr-Chips program that does not perform substantially in accordance with the Documentation with a corrected copy. In the case of an error in the Documentation, AGO will provide addenda or a corrected copy of the Documentation. If AGO is unable to correct the Dr-Chips program or its Documentation within a reasonable time, AGO will refund the fees paid for the program. AGO does not warrant that the functions contained in Dr-Chips will meet your requirements, or that the operation of Dr-Chips will be uninterrupted or error free. This warranty allocates risks of product failure between Purchaser and AGO. AGO's software pricing reflects this allocation of risk and the limitations of liability contained is this warranty. The Purchaser must return the defective diskette postpaid within 60 days of its original retail delivery. You must either insure the diskette being returned or assume the risk of its loss in transit. Address all warranty claims to: AGO Warranty Service, 3953 Glen Meadow Drive, Norcross, Georgia, 30092. THE WARRANTIES AND THE REMEDIES SET FORTH ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHERS, ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. AGO MAKES NO FURTHER WARRANTIES REGARDING THE Dr-Chips PROGRAM OR DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MER- CHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. AGO SHALL NOT IN ANY CASE BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CON- SEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING FROM BREACH OF WAR- RANTY, BREACH OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY. IN NO EVENT WILL AGO BE LIABLE TO PURCHASER OR ANY OTHER PARTY WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE, FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY LOSS IN PROFITS, LOSS SAVINGS OR LOSS OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR IN- ABILITY TO USE THE Dr-Chips PROGRAM OR DOCUMENTATION, EVEN IF AGO HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE, OR FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY OTHER PARTY. IN ANY EVENT, AGO'S TOTAL LIABILITY HEREUNDER SHALL NOT EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE PER COPY PAID BY ANY ONE PURCHASER FOR THE SOFTWARE WHICH GIVES RISE TO THE CLAIM.