CompTIA Error Codes and PC-...

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In August, CompTIA (the Computing Technology Industry Association) released an updated set of standard error codes. The announcement was followed by PC-Doctor�s release of the free Error Code Wizard. �What�s the big deal?� you might ask. Well, let me tell you.

Alright, I�ll be the first one to admit it. The phrase �standard error codes� just doesn�t generate the same level of buzz as �Apple lowers the price on the iPhone.� But, how does it sound when I link it to a statement like, �save millions of dollars per year?� Has a nice ring doesn�t it? Use the error codes with accurate diagnostics (like PC-Doctor, for example) and you will be able to perform quantitative root cause analysis and that should save the industry millions in reduced No Fault Found/No Trouble Found rates. Now that is something I can relate to!

If you haven�t seen the set of codes yet, you can download the list from the CompTIA Web site (http://www.comptia.org/sections/services/error_codes.aspx). A complete error code is six characters long, for example, DOLM32. The first character represents the user�s operating system. The second character is the mode of failure (such as continuous, intermittent, LED fault, etc.). The third shows the action taken by the service provider. The fourth through sixth characters represent the failing device type (one of ten categories) and finally, the actual symptom or failure. In the example above, DOLM32 means:

A Vista system (D) with a Pre-failure Diagnostic result (O) had its hard drive returned defective (L). The hard drive (M) had given a prefailure notice that a threshold was exceeded (32).

To make it easy for service providers to implement the error codes, PC-Doctor released the Error Code Wizard. With a few clicks of the mouse, a service technician can paste the complete error code into his or her tracking software. No fuss, no muss, and no tattered copies of the codes list. The Error Code Wizard is free for commercial or personal use and can be downloaded here. It runs on Windows-based systems (.Net Framework 2.0 is required).

While I cannot guarantee that you will be able to save huge piles of money just by implementing the revised CompTIA error codes or by using the Error Code Wizard, I know you will be better positioned to dramatically improve your bottom line. Why? In a word: information. The more information you have about what is happening in the field, the better you can predict and maintain your component inventory, respond to your customer�s needs, have whiter teeth, fresher breath, and more free time.

What do you think about the new error codes or the Error Code Wizard? Will you use them or will you avoid the whole subject because of JKMG02?