How clearly can you explain this?

[Skillachi]

Hey guys, a friend of mines was trying to explain the difference between Troubleshooting and Diagnostics.

Can somebody explain the difference as clearly as possible? I my self had a challenging time trying to figure out the major difference ....


Thanks in advance...

 

[ATTech]

Troubleshooting fixes the issue, diagnostics determine why it needs to be fixed.

 

[totalPCTechs]

Pretty much the same thing. Diagnostic you pretty much indicate the general problem. Troubleshooting would be finding the exact problem lieing within the general problem area. A good comparison would be Accuracy and Precision.

Hopes this clarifies a little:

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-difference-between-troubleshooting-testing-and-debugging.htm

 

[Skillachi]

I wonder how many techs actually know the difference or can even tell without confusing the two, without looking it up? even though they are similar some what...

 

[Knightsman]

I would think Diagnostics is ran when you dont know the problem. Troubleshooting is when you know the problem and are trying to fix it.

??

 

[fixitdaz]

diagnostics determines what the cause off the problem is
Troubleshooting determines a way to to fix the Problem

 

[TLE]

Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving using a logical, systematic approach.

 

[piloteer]

Diagnostics= Lets see IF something is right or wrong somewhere.
Troubleshooting= Now that I know what is ailing let's found out what and why.
Repairing=Perform the necessary surgery.

 

[rofs]

Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem so that it can be solved, and so the product or process can be made operational again. [Read more]

Diagnosis (diagnostic) - ... In systems engineering and computer science, diagnosis is typically used to determine the causes of symptoms, mitigations for problems, and solutions to issues.[Read more]

thanks to Wikipedia for explaining on behalf of me... hope this would help you a bit... cheers!

 

[atlanticjim]

IMHO

Troubleshooting = 1. Problem solving performed by entry level guy from the IT department on a fixed salary. May take two minutes or two weeks, and he doesn't care which. 2. Computer tinkering by "my cousin who knows a lot about computers". Often ends with an unnecessary nuke and pave. 3. Random approach to computer repair that entails "shooting" a bunch of repair software (mostly freeware) at the "trouble", hoping that one might work.

Diagnostics = A systematic approach used to uncover the root cause(s) of the malfunction and devising a plan for repair.

 

[ZenMike]

Troubleshooting is (one of) the process(es) used to Diagnose a problem.

Diagnostics just refers generically to determining what the problem is. Troubleshooting is how you get there.

 

[Martyn]

My thoughts

Troubleshooting is the process of working towards determining the problem

Diagnostics is a series of tests to work toward that end, often automated.

Diagnosis is the end product or your thoughts on the problem.

 

[mraikes]

Here's my two cents . . .

From the computer repair standpoint, diagnostics and troubleshooting are nearly the same. They are processes by which we determine a solution to a problem. However I would suggest diagnostics goes one step further to determine the source or cause of a problem.


Problem: The computer won't boot.

Troubleshooting: The system files are corrupt. That tells us why it won't boot and points us toward a solution. It doesn't have to explain how they became corrupt, only that they are.

Diagnostics: The system files are corrupt because a virus has damaged the system. We are pointed toward a solution to the immediate problem, as well as provided additional information that may help to prevent another problem in the future.

Troubleshooting tells us what is wrong. Diagnostics tells us why. That at least is how I would explain it to a customer.

 

[meanderer]

most places I see the word troubleshooting is when I see a flowchart that you can follow to come to a conclusion.

when I see diagnostics, I see a person going thru stuff in his head using the theories he learned without a preformed flowchart.

 

[it.guy1]

Troubleshooting means to identify what the problem is and provide a solution. this is accomplished by a process. If a computer will not power on you may check the power cord first---troubleshooting

If the power is good you may do a bench test on the power supply---diagnostics.

Diagnostics are a part of troubleshooting. Troubleshooting is not part of diagnostics.

Just my humble opinion. Kind of like a boat and a ship, you can get somewhere in both, but you can only put a boat on a ship not a ship on a boat.