Updates to the commodore Diagnostics
DeadTest-781220-FOM'26
While DesTestMAX is mostly designed to replace DeadTest, there's nothing wrong with getting a second opinion. These changes update DeadTest to include some of the technology developed for DesTestMAX: Instant display from ROM (Screen) and border interference (Sparkles). These additions improve the user experience with DeadTest and work to ensure that the user isn't left wondering if the tests are still working.
The underlying test methodology used in DeadTest has not been altered in any way, though a few definite bugs (incorrect identification of bad RAM chips and crashing if errors are found during the main tests) have been fixed.
In addition, the identification of bad RAM chips now includes the relevant data-bit number which can be more useful than the chip numbers when understanding patterns.
Download the combined DeadTest/Diagnostics (FOM'26) archive here or read the documentation here.
Diagnostics-586220-FOM'26
The Commodore 586220 Diagnostics in combination with a suitable test-harness is an excellent tool to detect certain errors in the major components of your Commodore 64.
The main change to Diagnostics has been to add border interference (Sparkles) during any of the memory tests. This gives a visual clue that the test has not crashed and is still working.
As with the modified DeadTest, the underlying testing methodology for Diagnostics has not been changed. Several crashes and incorrect display updates have also been fixed that mostly affected the memory tests.
The RAM chip display has been updated to include data-bit numbers in a manner similar to that of DeadTest.
Download the combined DeadTest/Diagnostics (FOM'26) archive here or read the documentation here.