Diagnostics Service
The same symptom can have twenty different causes. We use microscopes, thermal imaging and component-level testing to find the exact fault — so you pay for the right repair, not guesswork.
Why Guessing Costs You More
One symptom, many possible causes. Without proper diagnosis, a repair is expensive trial and error — replacing parts that were never the problem.
Won’t turn on
Could be any of these
- Dead battery
- Charging port
- Power IC failure
- Board short
- BIOS corruption
- Failed capacitors
Replace the wrong part and you’ve paid for nothing — the real fault is still there.
Overheating
Multiple potential causes
- Dust buildup
- Old thermal paste
- Failed fan
- Temp sensor fault
- VRM overheating
- Driver issues
Thermal imaging shows the exact heat source — no unnecessary replacements.
Poor battery life
Various underlying issues
- Worn cells
- Background drain
- Charging circuit
- Malware
- Sensor fault
- Port damage
Battery tools measure real capacity and pinpoint the drain accurately.
Random crashes
Complex diagnosis needed
- RAM failure
- SSD errors
- GPU overheating
- Driver conflicts
- Board trace damage
- PSU instability
Stress testing and isolation find the failing part without trial and error.
Equipment Consumer Checks Can’t Match
Professional-grade diagnostic gear reveals component-level failures that are invisible to standard checks.
Digital microscope (45×–200×)
Reveals: burnt components, cracked solder joints, corroded traces, liquid residue.
Essential for: board inspection, failed capacitors, BGA connections.
Thermal imaging camera
Detects: overheating components, short circuits, power distribution issues.
Down to: 0.1°C accuracy, so a short shows up before anything visibly fails.
Oscilloscope & multimeter
Measures: voltage levels, resistance, continuity, signal integrity.
Identifies: power-rail failures, data-line issues, component shorts.
POST card & debug tools
Provides: boot-sequence analysis, error codes, hardware init status.
Pinpoints: BIOS issues, RAM failures, CPU problems.
Our Diagnostic Process
Every device goes through the same rigorous protocol, refined over years of component-level repair — so nothing gets missed.
Initial assessment
Visual inspection for damage, burns or liquid indicators. We log the reported symptoms and device history, then run basic power-on tests and record any error codes.
Disassembly & internal inspection
Full teardown to reach the board and components. Microscopic examination of circuits, connectors and solder joints, with photos of anything we find.
Component testing
Individual testing of power circuits, data lines and major components. Thermal imaging under load, plus resistance and voltage measurements at key test points.
Software & stress testing
Boot-sequence and BIOS/UEFI diagnostics, memory and storage health checks, driver verification, and benchmarking to surface intermittent faults.
Report & recommendation
A clear findings summary with photo evidence on request, itemised repair options with transparent pricing, and an honest recommendation based on the device’s age and repair economics.
Typical turnaround: 1–3 days
Diagnostics take time — the duration depends on the device and how complex the fault is. We’ll discuss the timeframe with you up front and can prioritise urgent cases when needed.
Device-Specific Procedures
Every platform fails in its own way. Our technicians follow architecture-specific protocols and known failure points for each.
MacBook logic board diagnostics
SMC & T2/M-series
Reset and verify the System Management Controller. Check for kernel panics tied to the security chip; verify Touch ID and secure boot.
Power rail analysis
Test PP3V3_S5, PP5V_S5 and PPBUS_G3H rails. Check current draw to spot shorts; verify USB-C power delivery.
GPU & display
External display test to isolate LCD vs GPU. Thermal imaging under load and VRAM testing for artifacts and crashes.
Common failure points
Backlight circuit, keyboard/trackpad connectors, Wi-Fi module, and the SSD controller on newer models.
iPhone board diagnostics
Power sequence
Measure VDD_MAIN and battery voltage. Check the charging IC and verify PMIC outputs for a clean boot.
Baseband & connectivity
Test the cellular modem and antenna paths; verify Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and chase “No Service” faults.
Touch & display IC
Check touch-controller voltages and data lines, the display connector and backlight, plus True Tone and ambient sensor.
Audio IC check
Test for the common audio IC failure, boot loops tied to the audio subsystem, and microphone/speaker circuits.
Microsoft Surface diagnostics
Power & charging
Test the Surface Connect port for correct voltage, verify the battery management system, and check for swelling.
Display & touch
Digitiser functionality testing, LCD connector and flex inspection, plus ghost-touch and dead-zone mapping.
Thermal management
Fan operation and thermal-throttle tests, heat-pipe efficiency, and VRM temperature under load.
Common Surface issues
Type Cover connection, flickering screen, soldered-SSD failure, and kickstand hinge wear.
PC laptop comprehensive testing
Power delivery
DC-jack voltage and stability, battery charging circuit, and power-button/EC checks.
Memory & storage
MemTest86 for RAM stability, S.M.A.R.T. analysis for drive health, and M.2/SATA connector testing.
Graphics switching
Dedicated GPU stress testing, switchable-graphics verification, and video output on every port.
Peripheral testing
USB power and data, audio-jack detection and output, plus webcam and microphone.
The Diagnostic Fee
An upfront fee for the time, expertise and equipment it takes to find the real fault. Here’s what it covers — and how it works.
Phones & tablets
Laptops & computers
Data recovery assessment
Why we charge for diagnostics
Technician time
1–3 days of focused work by technicians who train continuously on new devices and diagnostic techniques.
Equipment
Serious investment in thermal cameras, oscilloscopes, microscopes and specialist software at our Wimbledon workshop.
Expertise
Years of experience spotting obscure faults. Knowing the common failure patterns saves you from unnecessary repairs.
Documentation
A full report with findings, photos and repair options — useful for insurance claims or a second opinion.
How the fee works
What We Typically Find
From our diagnostic work, here’s what customers most often couldn’t spot themselves.
Devices often have two or three problems feeding the same symptom. Fix only the obvious one and the hidden issues remain.
A good share of “hardware” problems turn out to be corrupted firmware, driver conflicts or OS issues.
Poor repairs elsewhere often cause new problems — lifted pads, wrong parts, missing screws.
An honest call when the repair costs more than the device is worth, so you can decide on a replacement.
Faulty chargers
A chunk of “dead battery” cases are actually a failing adapter delivering the wrong voltage.
Simple cleaning fixes
Some overheating laptops just need fresh thermal paste and dust removal — no parts at all.
Loose components
A number of boot failures are just RAM or cables dislodged in transport or by earlier work.
Diagnostics FAQ
Clear answers about how our diagnostics work.
Can’t you tell what’s wrong without opening it?
External symptoms rarely reveal the root cause — a device that won’t power on can have twenty-plus different faults, from a simple battery issue to a complex board failure. Opening and testing is the only way to give an accurate diagnosis and a fair price.
How does the fee work — do I always pay it?
The fee is paid upfront. If you go ahead with the repair, we take it off your repair price, so the diagnosis effectively costs you nothing. If the device can’t be repaired, or you decide not to proceed, the fee stays with us to cover the work done — and you keep the full report either way.
How long does diagnosis take?
Typically 1–3 days, depending on the device and how complex the fault is. We’ll discuss the timeframe with you up front and can prioritise urgent cases when needed.
Do you test with my data intact?
Yes — diagnostics are non-destructive. We don’t wipe devices or access personal files during testing. For privacy-sensitive devices we can run hardware-only diagnostics without booting the OS.
What if I want a second opinion?
Our report includes photos and detailed findings you can share with other technicians. We document everything transparently so you can verify it independently.
Can diagnostics damage my device?
Done correctly, professional diagnostics are safe — anti-static protocols, proper tools and gentle handling. If your device has pre-existing critical damage, such as water corrosion, we’ll tell you before any test that carries risk.
Where can I get diagnostics done in London?
At our Wimbledon workshop — 136 Kingston Road, London SW19 1LY, a 10-minute walk from South Wimbledon tube. Drop-ins are welcome, or book ahead so we can prioritise your device.
Do you provide a written report?
Yes — every diagnostic includes a detailed report: the specific faults found, component test results, repair options with pricing, and our recommendation. It’s detailed enough for insurance claims or warranty disputes.
After the Diagnosis
Once we know the fault, here’s where the repair usually goes — all handled in-house.
Find out exactly what’s wrong
Accurate fault-finding saves money by preventing the wrong repair. Book your device in and we’ll tell you precisely what it needs.