Abstract: The invention comprises, in various embodiments, a method for monitoring an internal test on a remote computer. The method includes reading a line from the remote computer with a processing unit. The line is capable of sending at least one result signal for the test. The method includes sending a fail signal from the processing unit to a reporting device when none of the new result signals are read during any time period of a preselected length.

Abstract: A personal computer monitoring device includes a reporting device and a processing unit. The reporting device is adapted to take a fail action responsive to a first signal. The processing unit is adapted to receive the first signal from an under test personal computer and to send the first signal to the reporting device when the processing unit does not receive a new result signal from the under test computer system during a preselected time period. One illustrative use of the monitoring device is during the assembly and pre-sale testing of personal computers.