Microelectronic components are commonly tested with probe cards. Certain
aspects of the invention provide alternative probes, probe cards, and
methods of testing microelectronic components. In one specific example, a
probe card includes a base and a probe carried by the base. An actuator
is associated with the probe and is adapted to selectively position the
probe with respect to an electrical contact on the microelectronic
component. A test power circuit is coupled to the first probe and adapted
to deliver test power to the first probe. In one exemplary method, a
microelectronic component is tested by contacting each of a plurality of
second probes carried by the probe card to one of a plurality of
spaced-apart second contacts on the microelectronic component, thereby
aligning each of the first probes with a first contact of the
microelectronic component. The second probes may then be moved out of
contact with the second contacts while keeping the base of the probe card
stationary with respect to the microelectronic component.