They are quick to overtly or subconsciously assume the problem being chased is due to the software, the lousy chips, or the power company, when simple experience teaches us that any new design is rife with bugs. Assume it's broken. Stop a minute and make sure you have good access to the system. No matter how minor the problem seems to be, troubleshooting is like a bog we all get trapped in for far too long. Take a minute to ease your access to the system.
Some systems have signals that regulate major operating modes.
Solder a resistor lead on these points as well, as you'll surely be scoping them at some point. This small investment in time up front will pay off in spades later. Following the Loop Let's cover each step of the troubleshooting sequence in detail. Observe the behavior to find the apparent bug . In other words, determine the bug's symptoms.