ScreenTest was developed to test the flaws present in the active matrix screens on the Powerbook 170, 180 and 180c computers (it will also work on the Duo 250 and 270c when they begin selling). Most active matrix screens come with some flaws. For the black and white active matrix screens they are either a stuck on (always black) or stuck off (always white) pixel. To test for a stuck off pixel, you simply turn the screen all black and look for a void. To test for a stuck on pixel, you simply turn the screen all white and look for a black dot. Have you ever tried to do this? It is easy to turn the desktop all black, however, the menu bar is another story... Hence ScreenTest B&W.
Operation
Launch the program by double-clicking on the ScreenTest B&W icon or click on the icon and select File - Open from the Finder menu. Your monitor with the menu bar will be filled with a black screen and the cursor shape will change to a cross hair.
To mark a pixel as bad, position the cursor over the bad pixel and press the space bar. This will record the location for a print out later on during program execution.
To see which pixels you have marked as bad, press the option key. Each bad pixel on which you have marked will be outlined with a box. Release the option key to make the rectangles disappear.
If you marked a wrong pixel, you can delete your marks one by one by pressing the delete key.
If you want to clear all marked pixels then press the clear key.
Click the mouse button to move on. The monitor will now be filled with a white screen. Repeat the process for marking all pixels that are now stuck on.
Click the mouse button to move on. The monitor will now be filled with a shareware fee plea screen. This is your last chance to make any corrections to your marked bad pixel list.
Click the mouse button to move on. You will now be prompted for a file name and location to save your marked bad pixel list to. Click Cancel to skip the report. Click Save to save the report. Your marked pixels will now be listed in the order in which they were selected giving location and the color of the screen on which they were selected.
Remarks
I wrote ScreenTest to evaulate Powerbook screens for the purchase of a used Powerbook. It can also be used to make sure that your brand new Powerbook has as few flaws as possible. Or you could use it periodically to see if you qualify for a warranteed repair (five stuck off, or one stuck on).
Registration
If you feel obligated to reward me for sharing ScreenTest with the general public, then send $5 to:
KC Software
1179 Lilac Street
Broomfield, CO 80020
Other KC Software Products
SeeFont - See and print large (up to 30,000 pt) letters for TrueType and ATM fonts.
MAAM - disk cataloging utitlity utilizing Aliases.
