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Now here's a program package that you don't see every day. A cassette offering a complete diagnostic test for' your computer, in this case, your Amstrad. The package essentially consists of three programs, each checking out a part of the Amstrad hardware.

The first program according to Amstrad, "interrogates the major silicon chips of the computer. If a fault condition is found then it will be announced." On running the program, various pretty designs appear on the screen which Amsoft say are merely a byproduct of the interrogation of the CPU; my own view is that they have been added by Amsoft to make it look as though something is happening.

The programs on the other side tests keyboard and cassette and the video monitor. The video tests simply align colours, lines and blocks in a way such that you can check your screen for clarity and colour definition. Frankly, I feel that this could have been done, just as well, with a short BASIC program written by the user.

I cannot say much else about this piece of software - no faults were found (or should I say reported) and the colour, sound, keyboard and cassette tests all seem satisfactory. Great, but what else can you do with it. The answer: nothing!

While this piece of soft ware might be worthwhile for a company repairing Arnstrads or a retailer checking his stock before sale, I cannot see much market elsewhere. I have a much better test for your Amstrad. Switch it on, playa few games, write a few lines of a BASIC program and save it and recall it from tape. I f all that works, then more likely than not you have a serviceable Amsrrad. C.G. Price: £8.95.

C.G.