PassMark Newsletter Issue #5
Feb 2004
Since our last newsletter we have been very busy introducing new and extending existing PassMark reliability test and benchmarking capabilities. The response to these changes from our customers has been very positive. The main features that you should find useful are outlined below.
New Products
PassMark
has developed a USB loopback and benchmarking solution suitable for
USB 2.0 and 1.x ports. This USB port test tool has been developed
by our engineers and is only available from PassMark.
USB 2.0 loopback plug.
USB Loopback plugs can be used to help diagnose, troubleshoot and load test your PC. When used with the BurnInTest Professional software package V4.0 and USB2Test Software, it is possible to.
- Quickly check PC ports are high speed 480Mbits/sec (USB 2.0) or full speed 12Mbits/sec (USB 1.x) via a LED
- Benchmark your PC's USB ports. Determine speed reduction as USB devices are added to the (universal serial) bus.
- Quickly check if a USB port is powered
- Check that data can be sent and received from the port
- Check USB errors rates and transmission speed (up to 480Mbits/sec)
- Verify the system remains stable under long periods of load
- Test Windows USB support has been correctly installed
- Check USB cabling
To learn more see: USB2loopback
USB2Test
Software
USB2Test is an easy to use Windows based application that allows users to quickly check that all the USB ports on their PC are functioning correctly and allows them to determine the maximum speed of these ports (and hence whether they are configured as expected). USB2Test is designed for use in conjunction with PassMark's USB 2.0 loopback plug and will test both USB 1.x and USB 2.0 ports at Full-speed (up to 12Mb/s) and USB2.0 ports at High-speed (up to 480Mb/s) rates. USB2Test extends PassMark's existing USB Loopback product by additionally providing support for High-speed (USB 2.0), performance benchmarking and enhanced error detection. The USB2Test software is free with the purchase of a PassMark USB 2.0 loopback plug.
Upgrades
BurnInTest 4.0, a major new release, is now available. New features include a CD burn test, USB 2.0 HighSpeed test, Video Playback test, New disk and CD test modes, multiple CPU testing, configurable Error classifications, user selectable logging detail and bug corrections. BurnInTest 4.0 can be found here.
PerformanceTest 5.0, is also a major new release and is available. Version 5.0 adds new 2D graphics tests, new CPU tests, support for Windows 2003 server, additional motherboard and PCI slot system information, support for hyper threading and new advanced hard disk testing. PerformanceTest 5.0 can be found here.
We have been busy, TestLog 1.6, a medium new release of our test case management product is also available. Version 1.6 adds new features based on feedback from our customers. The main focus has been on multi-user support, productivity improvements, expansion of information fields and useability. TestLog 1.6 can be found here.
Minor new releases of BatteryMon, OSCheck, KeyboardTest and DiskCheckup are also available.
Hints and Tips
Here are a few hints and tips that have come to our attention over the last 6 months or so.
BurnInTest
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We have had many requests to support the testing of FireWire. The recommended way to test FireWire ports using BurnInTest is to connect an external hard disk via the FireWire port and test the connectivity with the disk drive using the BurnInTest disk test. Note: Similarly, to test external memory card readers/writers or other removable drives, it is recommended that the BurnInTest disk test is used.
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Scripting to solve quite complex test scenarios utilizing external applications and testing across system reboots are available with EXECUTE and REBOOT. See the BurnInTest help file for additional information.
PerformanceTest
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Visit our new Baselines Database for licensed versions of PerformanceTest V5.0 where you can browse, and download baselines submitted by other PerformanceTest users from around the world. You can search for benchmark baselines for particular types of systems, including searching on filename, CPU type, CPU speed, RAM, Graphics card, operating system and upload date.
- To get the full bandwidth from your Gigabit Network, ensure you have a fast PC so that your PC does not become CPU bound (how fast depends on your network card). Also, for a high speed network, avoid 32bit Gigabit PCI cards as the PCI bus will form a throughput bottleneck. With the Advanced Network Test in PerformanceTest V5 you can check the maximum speed your PC's Gigabit network is running at and whether your PC becomes CPU bound and forms a bottleneck.