The following sites are very helpful on igniters and coils.
Both describe how to check for spark, which is probably
where you should resume your diagnosing efforts, assuming
you've replaced the basic tuneup items below or feel really
confident that they're in good repair.

http://techauto.te.funpic.org/index.php?content=Ignition#key
(better-organized but perhaps not as detailed as the next
site)

http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/startproblems.html#basics

www.autozone.com has free online repair manuals for the 1990
Civic. Register, then click on "Repair Info," then "Vehicle
Repair Guides." Click on car year, make, and model, etc. Go
to the engine electrical section, IIRC. There are tests
there for at least the coil, but I think it's only a
resistance test, and that does not necessarily yield enough
info to make a full diagnosis.

What's the status of all those other items I listed (air
filter, fuel filter, plugs, wires, distributor cap and
rotor)? Any idea how old the parts are? OEM parts or not?
Take all these seriously. You could have something as simple
as very fouled spark plugs. Or maybe your ignition wires
just need replacement. If you have a digital multimeter, you
can easily check their resistance and eliminate them as
being a part of the problem or THEE problem. You don't know
this car's history, since you just bought it in August, so
be methodical and willing to spend a little money on these
basic items (air filter, fuel filter, etc.) to get it up to
snuff. You're going to have to replace these items in the
next few years anyway. If it was reasonably well taken care
of, you should get another 100k miles out of it.

Elle
Original owner, 1991 Honda Civic LX, 172k miles.