Method and system for remote diagnostics

Abstract

Diagnostic apparatus for computers, including a diagnoser that connects to a PC, including an SD connector for connecting the diagnoser to an SD port of a PC, a storage medium for storing diagnostic program code that automatically runs on the PC via the SD connector, in response to connecting the diagnoser to the SD port of the PC, wherein the diagnostic program code performs specific diagnostic tests on the PC in response to input instructions, and generates test results as output, a modem for receiving input instructions from a remote online help-desk facility, specifying which diagnostic tests the diagnostic program code should perform on the PC, and for transmitting the test results to the help-desk facility, and a processor for controlling the storage medium and the modem.

1 .- 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A diagnostic apparatus for computers, comprising a diagnoser that connects to a PC, comprising:
 an SD connector for connecting the diagnoser to an SD port of a PC;   a storage medium for storing diagnostic program code that automatically runs on the PC via said SD connector, in response to connecting the diagnoser to the SD port of the PC, wherein the diagnostic program code performs specific diagnostic tests on the PC in response to input instructions, and generates test results as output;   a modem for receiving input instructions from a remote online help-desk facility, specifying which diagnostic tests the diagnostic program code should perform on the PC, and for transmitting the test results to the help-desk facility; and   a processor for controlling said storage medium and said modem.   
     
     
         9 . The diagnostic apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the diagnostic program code applies specific remedies to the PC. 
     
     
         10 . The diagnostic apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the remedies applied by the diagnostic program code comprise booting the PC. 
     
     
         11 . The diagnostic apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the remedies applied by the diagnostic program code comprise copying replacement operating system files to the PC, via said SD connector. 
     
     
         12 . The diagnostic apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the replacement operating system files are resident on said storage medium. 
     
     
         13 . The diagnostic apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said processor is further operable to download the replacement operating system files via said modem. 
     
     
         14 . A method for diagnosing a computer that is not fully operational, comprising:
 recognizing connection of a diagnostic device to an SD port of a PC via an SD connector;   automatically running diagnostic program code stored in the diagnostic device on the PC via the SD connector, in response to said recognizing connection, wherein the diagnostic program code performs specific diagnostic tests on the PC in response to input instructions, and generates test results as output;   receiving input instructions from a remote online help-desk facility, specifying which diagnostic tests the diagnostic program code should perform on the PC   performing the specific diagnostic tests on the PC, via the diagnostic program code, in response to said receiving; and   transmitting the test results to the remote online help-desk facility.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising applying specific remedies to the PC, via the diagnostic program code. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the remedies applied by the diagnostic program code comprise booting the PC. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the remedies applied by the diagnostic program code comprise copying replacement operating system files to the PC, via said SD connector. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the replacement operating system files are resident on said storage medium. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said processor is further operable to download the replacement operating system files via said modem.