| 摘要 |
A diagnostic method enables a determination of which of a plurality of data processing modules is at fault in a chain of data processing modules extending between an input and an output. The method includes the steps of reinputting a user (e.g., test) file that has failed to print, to a diagnostic software module which appends a diagnostic indicator to the test file. The diagnostic module and the remaining data processing modules are then operated to process the test file from the input to the output. The diagnostic module monitors operations of the data processing modules and forces one of the data processing modules that is intermediate a first module in the chain and a last module in the chain, to respond to the diagnostic indicator by writing processed results of the test file into a memory file. The diagnostic module then determines if the memory test file exists and, if yes, further checks operations of data processing modules which lie between the intermediate module and the output. If no, the diagnostic module checks operations of data processing modules lying between the intermediate module and the input. In such manner, the diagnostic search begins from an intermediate module in the chain and proceeds in the direction of the fault location.
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