System and method for automatically testing motherboards

• US 7,451,349 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2005
• Issued: 11/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Zeng, Ge-Xin, Xiao, San, Tsai, Hung-Yuan
• Primary Examiner(s): Duncan; Marc
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lottich; Joshua P
• Application Number:
  US11/107,087
• Publication Number:
  US 20050246589A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,306 Days
• Field of Search: 714/27
• US Class Current: 714/27
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2294 by remote test

Abstract

A system for automatically testing motherboards includes a test server (1), client computers (2), and a network (5) connecting the test server with the client computers. The test server is for storing a plurality of high-level OSs (Operating Systems), test programs and test script files, for setting contents of test configuration files, and for storing test results. Each client computer has a motherboard installed therein, and is operated under a DOS (Disk Operating System). The client computer downloads and installs a high-level OS from the test server, downloads and installs one or more test programs and a test script file according to a test configuration file set by the test server, executes the test script file to auto-run test programs in a sequence specified in the test configuration file, and then transmits test results to the test server.

Claims

1. A system for automatically testing motherboards, comprising:

a test server for storing a plurality of high-level OSs (Operating Systems), test programs and test script files, for setting contents of test configuration files, and for storing test results;

a plurality of client computers in which motherboards to be tested are installed, each of the client computers configured for operating under a DOS (Disk Operating System), downloading and installing a high-level OS from the test server, downloading and installing test programs and a test script file according to a test configuration file that comprises hardware configuration of each of the client computers, a list of the test programs and the test script file and locations of the test programs and the test script file stored in the test server, executing the test script file to auto-run the test programs in a sequence specified in the test configuration file, transmitting test results to the test server, and uninstalling and deleting the test programs and the test script file if testing of the motherboard does not need to be continued according to the test configuration file;

a serial device server and a plurality of power controllers for the test server to control power sources of the client computers; and

a network for connecting the test server with the client computers.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the test configuration file further comprises the sequence in which the test programs are executed during testing the motherboard, a test time limitation, and exceptional procedures when any error occurs during downloading the test programs and the test script file or testing the motherboard.

3. A method for testing a motherboard automatically, comprising the steps of:

providing a test server and a client computer in which the motherboard to be tested is installed;

providing a serial device server and a power controller for the test server to control a power source of the client computer;

connecting the client computer with the test server, and downloading and installing a high-level OS (Operating System) from the test server;

setting contents of a test configuration file in the test server, comprising;

setting hardware configuration of the client computer; and

determining a list of test programs and a test script file, and locations of the test programs and the test script file stored in the test server;

transmitting the test configuration file to the client computer;

downloading the test programs and the test script file according to the test configuration file;

installing the test programs and the test script file;

testing the motherboard installed in the client computer by executing the test script file to auto-run the test programs in a sequence specified in the test configuration file;

transmitting test results to the test server;

the client computer determining whether to continue to test the motherboard according to the test configuration file; and

uninstalling and deleting the test programs and the test script file from the client computer, if the client computer determines not to continue to test the motherboard according to the test configuration file.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the setting step comprises the steps of:

determining the sequence in which the test programs are executed in the client computer;

setting a test time limitation; and

setting exceptional procedures for when any error occurs during downloading the test programs and the test script file or testing the motherboard.

5. The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising the step of exiting the high-level OS and turning off the power source of the client computer after transmitting test results to the test server.

6. The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising the step of reporting to the test server when any error occurs on the client computer during downloading the test programs and the test script file or testing the motherboard.

7. The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising the step of the test server restarting the client computer and returning to the step of downloading and installing a high-level OS from the test server, if the client computer determines to continue to test the motherboard according to the test configuration file.

8. A method for testing a motherboard automatically, comprising the steps of:

connecting a client computer in which the motherboard to be tested is installed with a test server;

providing a serial device server and a power controller for the test server to control a power source of the client computer;

downloading and installing an operating system (OS) from the test server;

setting contents of a test configuration file in the test server;

transmitting the test configuration file to the client computer;

downloading test programs and a test script file according to the test configuration file;

assuring availability of the test programs and the test script file by verifying whether any error occurs during downloading the test programs and the test script file;

installing the test programs and the test script file if no error occurs during downloading the test programs and the test script file;

testing the motherboard in a sequence specified in the test configuration file by executing the test script file to auto-run the test programs;

determining whether to continue to test the motherboard according to the test configuration file; and

uninstalling and deleting the test programs and the test script file from the client computer, if the client computer determines not to continue to test the motherboard according to the test configuration file.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising the step of reporting to the test server when any error occurs during downloading the test programs and the test script file or testing the motherboard.

10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the setting step comprises the steps of:

setting hardware configuration of the client computer;

determining a list of the test programs and the test script file, and locations of the test programs and the test script file stored in the test server;

determining the sequence in which the test programs are executed in the client computer;

setting a test time limitation; and

setting exceptional procedures for when any error occurs during downloading the test programs and the test script file or testing the motherboard.