PRESS RELEASE
End of DOS Concerns for System Tests and Diagnostics Addressed by Eurosoft
Bournemouth, UK – 25 January 2006
Eurosoft (UK) Ltd. – a world leader in PC diagnostic and test management solutions since 1980 – has released a complete suite of new diagnostic solutions that support tests with or without Microsoft’s WinPE and Vista operating systems to help PC manufacturing and service organisations ease through the transition from MS-DOS to WinPE and Windows Vista.
The introduction of WinPE overcomes many of the MS-DOS challenges and changes the traditional method of testing and deploying images to manufactured systems. WinPE delivers an environment where standard Windows drivers can be used during the PC manufacturing process and provides PC manufacturing and servicing organizations with the ability to test devices that were not possible under MS-DOS.
However, the end of life of MS-DOS has raised concerns from PC manufacturing and servicing organizations throughout the world on the availability of solid, reliable and proven system test and diagnostic solutions – applications that are crucial in the development, manufacture and support of the next generation of PCs.
According to Eurosoft’s Sales and Marketing Director, Sharon Richards, although the introduction of WinPE is proving to be very exciting and successful, it is essential that the industry moves forward with 32–bit and 64-bit computing solution because Microsoft will no longer licenses MS-DOS.
"An operating system-based diagnostic cannot test memory where the operating system is residing," explained Richards. "PC manufacturers need to deploy WinPE in their factories early in the operating system ship cycle, migrate their MS-DOS-based tools and retrofit their factories, so that they can ship when Vista is released."
Microsoft has already created two interim releases of WinPE, both of which include features and capabilities that eliminate dependencies on MS-DOS-based tools and enable IHVs and ISVs to port their MS-DOS-based test, diagnostic, and support tools.
"For many years the only operating system that was available for the initial boot of a system was MS-DOS", continued Richards. "MS-DOS is now no longer viable and it is almost impossible to obtain DOS drivers for many of the emerging technologies."
Although it may look a daunting task to configure WinPE by adding drivers and command files, Eurosoft now includes a version of the WinPE operating system with its test and diagnostic solutions, together with specialist scripts to make the task easier.
"One of our more exciting developments has been our close relationship with Microsoft," added Richards. "During Microsoft's WinHEC 2004 and 2005 seminars, Eurosoft took the lead in demonstrating how to test PCs using Microsoft's WinPE. We have now launched a complete suite of new diagnostic solutions that support tests with or without Microsoft’s WinPE and Vista operating systems."
Due for release in 2006, Windows Vista will expand on all the features and benefits that PC manufacturers gain by using WinPE in their production process. New facilities available when using Eurosoft's PC Builder Test Management Suite will help to make image creation and deployment quicker, while saving network bandwidth. The number of SKUs, HALs, and languages needed can also be reduced by using a single imaging file to help reduce manufacturing and services costs. Eurosoft's diagnostic software is already able to test hardware such as SATA, and Hyperthreading more effectively than ever before due to the added driver support.
"Unfortunately, in this scenario there remains one area that has not been able to be completely freed of the usage of DOS – BIOS Flashing utilities," concluded Richards. "Many of the manufacturers of motherboards still only supply DOS-based tools for carrying out the Flashing and setting of the BIOS. Pressure is being exerted on these companies to create new tools that will operate in the WinPE environment, and until this situation is resolved, the legacy of DOS may continue for a while yet. Eurosoft still provide tools for supporting this operation only in the DOS environment."
About Eurosoft
For over 25 years, Eurosoft has developed and delivered PC test and diagnostic solutions to tens of thousands of computer industry and business customers worldwide — PC manufacturing, specialist support and service organisations, IT training centres, leading private and public sector organisations, and businesses with PC testing requirements. With its head office in Bournemouth, Eurosoft has offices in Providence, Rhode Island and in Sioux City, Iowa and partners with major organizations throughout the world.
Eurosoft’s products address test and diagnostic issues throughout the entire PC lifecycle: designing, manufacturing, supporting, servicing, upgrading, re-assigning and recycling PC products. Today, Eurosoft continues to lead the way in cutting edge PC software and hardware testing with a complete suite of new diagnostic solutions that support tests with or without Microsoft’s WinPE and Vista operating systems.
