Diagnose your disk - DiagSoft's QAPlus 4.7 diagnostic software for DOS and Windows - Software Review - Evaluation

Home Office Computing, April, 1993 by Joey Latimer

QAPLus

Rating: ***1/2

For DOS, Windows

AT A GLANCE: Powerful diagnostic software for solving common computer problems; useful for novices and experts alike. Comes packaged with Symantec's NOVI virus scanner and Ocean Isle's ReachOut Remote Control, so a technician (running ReachOut) can diagnose four computer glitches by modem.

DOCUMENTATION: 161-page user guide with computer glossary covers all bases.

EASE OF USE: Running tests and creating reports is easy. Interpreting data and using advanced functions requires some prior knowledge of how computers work. An excellent way to learn about your system.

SUPPORT: Free, understanding, and helpful phone, BBS, fax, e-mail, and mail support.

VERSION REVIEWED: Version 4.7 (DOS)

LIST PRICE: $160

AVERAGE STREET PRICE: $85

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: 512K 8086 PC or higher; Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA; DOS 3.0 or higher (and UNIX, OS/2 and other operating systems). Also for Windows: 2MB 286 PC or higher; Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA; DOS 3.1 and Windows 3.0 or higher.

PUBLISHER: DiagSoft, 5615 Scotts Valley Dr., Suite 140, Scotts Valley, CA 95066; (408) 438-8247, (800) 342-4765

Have you ever had a computer problem that you wanted to fix yourself--if only you knew what was wrong? You call a friend who comes over, pops in a magical disk, and immediately solves the problem. What program did your friend have on that disk, anyway?

QAPLus is a diagnostic software package used by over three million registered owners and recommended by such companies as DEC, NEC, Intel, and Gateway 2000. The program lets you run tests on all aspects of your computer, including CPU, RAM, video adapter, hard drive, floppy drive, CD-ROM drive, serial port, parallel port, printer, keyboard, mouse, joystick, and speakers. In addition, QAPlus gathers system information, performs benchmark tests, locates bad chips, and more.

Each time you run QAPlus, the computer performs an IntruderAlert Check to determine if your QAPlus program has been infected by a virus or is otherwise deranged. QAPlus loads your system configuration, and you're ready to go. Pulldown menus make the program a breeze to navigate. Select Run Tests and your computer will run a battery of tests, specified by you, to detect problems. A report at the end of the tests shows which components passed or failed.

QAPLus shares many of the testing features of Norton Utilities and PC Tools, but focuses more_on comprehensive &agnostics than on disk optimization and undeleting files. The 161-page user's guide includes a wonderful 23-page glossary of computer terms, as well as detailed explanations of error messages.

Whether you're a novice or a pro, QAPlus offers powerful tools for diagnosing computer ailments. Who knows? A friend may call and ask you for help.