Apparatus and method for automatically testing computing equipment

A test apparatus for computing equipment, comprising:

• means for storing in memory a time signal representing a period of time of temporary power interruption appropriate for said computing equipment;
• means, under control of a processor, for temporarily interrupting power to said computing equipment for said period of time in response to a control signal asserted by said computing equipment and for restoring power to said computing equipment following said period of time;
• and
• means for determining whether said computing equipment has successfully restarted following passage of said period of time.

A method of testing computing equipment comprising the steps of:

• storing in memory a time signal representing a period of time of temporary power interruption appropriate for said computing equipment;
• counting said period of time with a processor;
• receiving a control signal from said computing equipment, said control signal representing a command to said processor to begin counting said period of time;
• temporarily interrupting power to said computing equipment for said period of time;
• and
• determining whether said computing equipment has successfully restarted following passage of said period of time.

A system for testing a personal computer, comprising:

• a switch circuit for coupling a power supply to said personal computer and for interrupting and restoring power to said personal computer;
• a timer, coupled to said switch circuit, for commanding an interruption of power to said personal computer and, following passage of a predetermined period of time, for commanding a restoration of power to said personal computer;
• a test circuit, coupled to said timer and said personal computer, for determining when said switch circuit has restored power to said personal computer and whether said personal computer has successfully restarted following restoration of power, said test circuit receiving a condition signal from said personal computer, said condition signal representing whether said personal computer has successfully restarted following restoration of power, said test circuit further for determining whether said personal computer has taken longer than a predetermined maximum period of time to successfully restart, and wherein said test circuit is detachably coupled to a keyboard port of said personal computer;
• and
• a display, coupled to said test circuit, for indicating to an operator whether said personal computer has succeeded in restarting or has failed to restart.

A system for testing computing equipment, comprising:

• a test apparatus including memory, an input port, an output port, and a processor coupled to said memory, said input port, and said output port;
• means for coupling said input and output ports to said computing equipment via a port on said computing equipment, wherein said test apparatus further includes:
• means for switchably providing power from said test apparatus to said computing equipment via said output port;
• means for storing in said memory a time signal received from said computing equipment via said input port, said time signal representing a period of time of temporary power interruption appropriate for said computing equipment;
• means, under control of said processor, for temporarily disconnecting power to said computing equipment for said period of time;
• means for restoring said power to said computing equipment following passage of said period of time;
• and
• means, under control of said processor, for determining and displaying whether said computing equipment has successfully restarted following passage of said period of time.