ABOUT SIMCHECK Products

1. Q. What is the SIMCHECK II PLUS?
   A. It combines the third generation base tester SIMCHECK II and the powerful Sync DIMMCHECK 168 Adapter to provide a state-of-the-art solution for testing SDRAM and standard DRAM modules. It tests all popular 168-pin SDRAM/EDO/FPM DIMM modules as well as 72 and 30 pin SIMM modules. The built-in 133MHz test engine and the 1nS timing circuitry of the SIMCHECK II PLUS enable you to test today's PC-100 and the new generation of PC-133 SDRAM modules.
   
   
2. Q. What is the SIMCHECK II se PLUS? What is the difference between this and the SIMCHECK II PLUS? What about the SIMCHECK II LT PLUS?
   A. The SIMCHECK II se PLUS is a lower cost version of the SIMCHECK II PLUS, which uses the SIMCHECK II se base tester and the Sync DIMMCHECK 168. It tests all popular 168-pin SDRAM/EDO/FPM DIMM modules as well as 72- pin SIMM modules. As both of these packages include the Sync DIMMCHECK 168, the main differences involve the two base testers. The SIMCHECK II se does not include a 30-pin test socket and some advance firmware features of the SIMCHECK II are disabled.  The SIMCHECK II LT PLUS includes all of the advanced features of SIMCHECK II PLUS, but without the 30-pin socket.
   
   
3. Q. Can SIMCHECK II se PLUS test PC-133 SDRAM modules like the SIMCHECK II PLUS?
   A. The SIMCHECK II se PLUS does the same testing for PC-133/100 SDRAM as the SIMCHECK II PLUS. Most software limitations of the "SE" unit compared to the SIMCHECK II PLUS are in the advanced setup features for older EDO/FPM devices.
   
   
4. Q. What kind of tests are performed by the SIMCHECK II PLUS family of products?
   A. Please refer to the SIMCHECK II for a description of the type of tests performed.
   
   
5. Q. What warranty do you offer with the SIMCHECK II PLUS family?
   A. New SIMCHECK II PLUS products come with a 1-year warranty that covers internal defects of the equipment, but does not cover the external sockets, which are subject to wear and tear; the manual included with the equipment provides complete details concerning the warranty.
   
   
6. Q. What is the life expectancy of the sockets provided with the SIMCHECK II PLUS test equipment?
   A. The sockets are rated to have over 10,000 cycles of insertion and removal over their lifetime. With proper care, they will last even longer.
   
   
7. Q. Can a SIMCHECK II se be upgraded to SIMCHECK II?
   A. The SIMCHECK II se is a lower cost version of the popular SIMCHECK II. It is equipped with the same fundamental electronics and abilities as the SIMCHECK II and uses the same Internet upgradeable firmware of the SIMCHECK II. To reduce its cost, some capabilities have been eliminated, as shown in the SIMCHECK II se page. However, the SIMCHECK II se can be readily upgraded to the SIMCHECK II level at any time.
   
   
8. Q. Is the SIMCHECK II/II se PLUS upgradeable for future memory devices?
   A. An upgrade path for the SIMCHECK II family is in development, to support future memory devices.
   
   
9. Q. Where is the product manufactured? What is INNOVENTIONS' expertise in memory testing?
   A. The SIMCHECK II PLUS is designed and manufactured by INNOVENTIONS, Inc. in Houston, Texas, USA. In 1987, INNOVENTIONS pioneered the field of portable memory testers with the introduction of the world's first stand alone DRAM chip tester, the RAMCHECK. Since then, several generations of advanced memory testers which were successfully distributed world wide.
   
10. Q. Can SIMCHECK or SIMCHECK PLUS support the new SDRAM DIMM modules?
    A. NO, SIMCHECK or SIMCHECK PLUS were developed long before the 
    emergence of the new SDRAM DIMMs and they lack the computational power
    and 1nS technology to support SDRAM.  SIMCHECK PLUS is the entry level
    memory tester for testing standard DRAM only.  Customers who wish
    to test SDRAM DIMMs should use the SIMCHECK II 
    or SIMCHECK II se units.
    
11. Q. How long does it take SIMCHECK to test a SIMM module?
    A. It depends on the size and quality of the module, and which tests
    are performed.

    SIMCHECK's setup can be modified to skip certain Extensive test phases, which shorten the overall test time. Higher quality modules with higher refresh rates will take longer to test than lower quality chips.

1. Q.  Can SIMCHECK or SIMCHECK PLUS support EDO modules?
   
   A.  Yes, SIMCHECK's program version 2.34 and above readily identify EDO
   devices.
   

2. Q.  Why does the red LED turn on before I start the test?
   
   A.  Because the module has a small voltage leak (4-7mA). If these modules
   test ok otherwise, while they may be of lower quality, they are usually
   ok to use in Alternating Current (AC) powered PCs.  The modules may not 
   be appropriate in some laptop PCs.
   

3. Q.  What are the two binding posts at the back of SIMCHECK used for?
   A.  The current of the module under test can be directly measured 
   by connecting a voltmeter to these posts (red is positive).  One Volt
   on your meter indicates one Amp consumed by the module under test.
   NOTE: The black post is NOT grounded.  Red and black posts were used only to
   indicate the correct polarity for the voltmeter.
   

4. Q.  Why does SIMCHECK show my x9 SIMMS as x8?
   A.  This may happen on the PS/2 model-30 adapter, because of the module 
   design.
   
     1.  It may be a single -CAS module, and needs to be tested with the 
   Single -CAS Adapter.
   
     2.  It may be a logic parity module, also supported on the Single -CAS 
   adapter.
   
     3.  It may have a defective 9th bit, and therefore can only work as a x8.
   

5. Q.  Why do modules test good on the SIMCHECK, but fail in a PC?
   A.  The PC may require true parity 9-bit SIMMS, and the tested
   module is a 8-bit SIMM that uses logic parity.  
   
   Simcheck may not explicitly fail a chip, but an interpretation of the readings may indicate a suspect or bad chip.
   

6. Q.  What are Soft Errors?
   
   A.  Soft errors in memory products are those transient errors which appear randomly, and cannot be verified.  They may stem from alpha particle radiation or other faults in the memory.  When SIMCHECK encounters an error, it immediately tries to verify  it.  If the error is not repeated,
   the soft error counter is incremented.  Soft errors are more common in larger or more complex memory products.
   
   ELIMINATING SOFT ERRORS:  In some rare instances, the soft error may be an artifact of the automatic access time algorithm.  This occurs when the actual speed of the tested device is just a hair below SIMCHECK's access time measurement slots, causing some memory accesses to result in intermittent errors.  While the access time measurement algorithm will eventually drift to slow the access time, soft errors may still register.  
   To eliminate this artifact, simply run the test again at a setup speed which is a notch slower than the automatically measured access time.  For example, if a module tests at 55nS with an abnormally high soft error count, retest it with a speed of @60nS or even @70nS (using Speed 
   Override or Speed Setup -see Section 4.1 in your SIMCHECK MANUAL).
   

7. Q.  Why do modules work in a PC, but fail on SIMCHECK?
   A.  The modules may have a violation in timing or JEDEC standards, so that the SIMCHECK will fail it, but it will work in some PCs.
   
   The modules may be of a new type or configuration that SIMCHECK or its current EPROM doesn't support.
   

8. Q.  How can I build my own customized adapters?
   
   A.  A wiring diagram for SIMCHECK's 50 pin expansion slot is in Appendix I in the manual. If the customer knows how his custom module is wired, he may be able to construct his own adapter. For a custom adapter for 72-p modules, you may purchase the CUSTOMIZED ADAPTER for the
   40-BIT PORT.
   

9. Q.  What about intermittent errors in the fast page mode test?
   
   A.  If a chip sometimes passes, then sometimes fails the fast page mode test, then most likely, the fast page mode function of the module is faulty.
   

10. Q.  Why is there a 10ns speed difference between the two SIMCHECKs I have?
    
    A.  The speed determination in SIMCHECK is +/- 5ns, if one SIMCHECK is 5ns high, and one is 5ns low, the difference would be 10ns, this is normal.
    

11. Q.  How can I calibrate my SIMCHECK?
    
    A.  The SIMCHECK is designed not to require periodic calibration.  But, EPROM upgrades are recommended.
    
    To meet ISO 9000 requirements, Innoventions has established a calibration verification routine. Please contact us for more details.
    
    

12. Q.  Why is the latest adapter I just received not working with 
    my SIMCHECK?
    
      1. Check for dirt, corrosion, foreign objects stuck in the SIP (green)
    socket.  A simple tech spray solution applied to the adapter's pins will
    usually eliminate problems that are due to a bad contact or connection.
    
      2.  Try reinserting the adapter a few times.
    
      3.  The EPROM version may not support the adapter.  Verify that the
    program version (seen on power up) supports the adapter you are trying 
    to use.
    

13. Q.  Can the SIMCHECK test Logic Parity or Parity Emulation memory modules?
    
    A.  Yes.  The 30 pin modules using logic parity are identified if tested
    with the Single -CAS Adapter.  The 72 pin modules are identified when 
    tested with the 40-Bit Port.
    
    
    
    
    40-BIT PORT
    

14. Q.  Can I use the power supply from the SIMCHECK to power the 40-BIT PORT?
    A.  No.  Although it is possible to do this, you SHOULD NOT because SIMCHECK's power source cannot supply the amount of current needed by large 72-pin modules.  Performing a test with this setup may hang the SIMCHECK program. For proper use, SIMCHECK's power supply should be disconnected from the power outlet, and the 40-BIT PORT power supply should be connected at the auxillary power connector.  UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE should both power supplies be connected at once, this will cause one, if not both, to be damaged.
    
    Additional Note:  Most SIMCHECK units of today have a detachable power supply.  In cases like these, you may remove the SIMCHECK power source permanently and use the 40-BIT PORT power source in its place.  
    

15. Q.  Why do I get inaccurate test results when testing 30 pin modules on my SIMCHECK PLUS?
    A.  You must disconnect the 40-BIT PORT from the SIMCHECK, and use SIMCHECK's power supply when testing 30 pin modules.  You cannot test 30 pin modules accurately when the 40-BIT PORT is connected to SIMCHECK.
    

16. Q.  Why must I disconnect the 40-BIT PORT, when testing 30 pin modules?
    A.  The 40-BIT PORT is connected to SIMCHECK's main data bus thus add some additional capacitive loading which may skew critical timing signals.  A quick disconnect cable has been developed to facilitate easy connection and removal of the 40-BIT PORT as part of the SIMCHECK PLUS system.  This quick connect cable will be sent no-charge to any user that requests one.
    

17. Q.  I just got the 40-BIT PORT, and it works ok with its power supply, but why does the SIMCHECK power supply not work?
    A.  If both the SIMCHECK power supply and the 40-BIT PORT power supply are plugged into electrical outlets at the same time, the SIMCHECK power supply may burn out.  Only one power supply can be in at one time.  The user can send the unit in to be repaired, or we can fax them an instruction sheet on how to connect the 40-BIT PORT power supply to the SIMCHECK.
    

18. Q.  Why do I get ERROR: ADDRESS IN ALL MODULE or b5 errors when 
    testing x36 72-pin modules in the 40-BIT PORT, the modules work in a PC.
    A.  EPROM versions 2.22 and up support the identification of Logic Parity or Parity Emulation modules in the 40-Bit Port.  Prior versions may give this error when testing these types of modules.
    

19. Q.  Does the 40-BIT PORT test for 2K and 4K refresh?
    A.   Yes, in fact the testing that is done is more rigorous than that of the 2K and 4K standards, but both are covered.
    

20. Q.  Can SIMCHECK remember its settings once it is turned off?
    A.  No.  But the settings are retained if you have the PC COMMUNICATION device attached to the Simcheck.
    
    
    
    STATIC RAM TESTER:
    

21. Q.  Can the STATIC TESTER accept 3/10's (.3" or 300 mils) and 4/10's (.4" or 400 mils) static chips?
    A.  Yes, the tester can accept up to 6/10's (.6" or 600 mils wide) chips.
    

22. Q.  Can I use the STATIC TESTER with the PC COMMUNICATION PACKAGE?
    A.  There is partial support for the STATIC TESTER on version 1.05 and 
    above on the PC COMMUNICATION program.  
    
    
    
    DRAM CARD TESTER:
    

23. Q.  Does the DRAM CARD TESTER support the 68 pin PCMCIA memory cards?
    A.  No, it supports the 88 pin JEIDA/JEDEC DRAM memory cards.
    
    
    
    
    AST ADAPTER:
    

24. Q.  Can the AST adapter test the new 16MB modules?
    A.  Yes, the adapter may require a hardware modification, and a new EPROM.
    
    
    
    BANK ADAPTER:
    

25. Q.  Why do some 256K chips give different errors at different sockets?
    A.  These problems are resolved with the new style adapter (w/switches).
    
    
    
    HANDLER:
    

26. Q.  How fast can the Handler test modules?
    A.  The Handler is rated at 1,000 modules/hr with zero test time.  This is equal to 3-4 seconds per module.  If a 1MB module takes 10 seconds to do the basic test, then it will take 13-14 seconds to test each module.  Larger modules will take longer.