EBC-820 "Apple diagnostic tool" -- does this work?

[TrumanHW]

The EBC-820 relies on the J6100 interface (its unclear if it works on 2018+ either, which'd negate any real value).

IF it does 'debug' issues on newer units, the video shows it providing error codes and 'breadcrumbs' to follow & fix identified issue(s).

Is this a gimmick for suckers (like me)..? Are there better products that are also affordable...?


Lastly, does anyone have suggestions on how to learn how to follow the schematic // boardview to trace problems..? Because even when watching the video it was unclear how certain selections were made (provided no basis for the "choose your own adventure" choices they were making).

https://vimeo.com/458915497?embedded...owner=69200627

You'll see in the video that it makes selections without saying how it knew to make those (or at least I didn't know how it made them).


Thanks in advance ...

[piernov]

Re: EBC-820 "Apple diagnostic tool" -- does this work?

That's just like a POST diagnostic card. You can get the same info with any POST diagnostic card with an LPC interface. It's no more useful than that. Won't tell you what's the problem and how to fix it.
This tool just has a fancy cable to hook up directly to the J6100 debug connector on compatible models to make it easy, rather than having to solder 8 wires directly to the board (e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K63AvEW3XLw).
Note that Apple removed the LPC interface from the debug connector in 2015 so this fancy cable is only useful on older models.

[TrumanHW]

Re: EBC-820 "Apple diagnostic tool" -- does this work?

That's just like a POST diagnostic card. You can get the same info with any POST diagnostic card with an LPC interface. It's no more useful than that. Won't tell you what's the problem and how to fix it.
This tool just has a fancy cable to hook up directly to the J6100 debug connector on compatible models to make it easy, rather than having to solder 8 wires directly to the board (e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K63AvEW3XLw).
Note that Apple removed the LPC interface from the debug connector in 2015 so this fancy cable is only useful on older models.

It's present through 2017, but I take your drift ...

Is there a way to hook up to 2018+ units via the "LPC interface" ...?

Are there any other means (or products) that can simplify debugging ..?

[Sniffy]

Re: EBC-820 "Apple diagnostic tool" -- does this work?

It's present through 2017, but I take your drift ...

Is there a way to hook up to 2018+ units via the "LPC interface" ...?

Are there any other means (or products) that can simplify debugging ..?

SWD or DSCD cables? I know it's a legal grey area tho...