How To Determine your computer Specifications

In order to ask someone to help you with your problem (whether its a friend, coworker, phone support or whatever), you are going to need some basic information about your computer. As soon as you outline your problem, depending on exactly what it entails, they are immediately going to begin peppering you with questions such as these:

• Is your computer is Dell, HP, Compaq, or other pre-built system? (that's important, as many of these use proprietary parts and are sometimes more difficult to troubleshoot).
• What motherboard do you have?
• Is your processor an AMD or an Intel? 
• How much memory do you have?
• How big is your hard drive?   Is it one big drive letter, or is the hard drive divided up into several drive letters?
• What brand of sound card?
• What Operating System are you using? (There are many differences between Windows 98/Me and Windows 2000/XP/Vista).
• What is the name and model of the hardware that is having a problem?

 PROGRAMS YOU CAN USE TO USE TO DETERMINE YOUR HARDWARE

There are a number of different computer diagnostic programs out there, and I'll discuss four of easiest and most useful ones.

• Windows System Information Utility
• PC Wizard
• System Information for Windows (SIW)

WINDOWS SYSTEM INFORMATION UTILITY

The advantage with this utility is that there is nothing to download or install, it is already on your computer. The Sytem Information Utility is provided in all versions of Windows, and is located at START - PROGRAMS - ACCESSORIES - SYSTEM TOOLS.

Simply navigate through the different folders to determine the information you need, such as your graphic card type or souund card. The info provided is pretty basic, and is usually given in terms of "Windows" names, as opposed to more "Street" names in terms of hardware in your computer.

PC Wizard 2008 (2009 due out soon)

This beautiful FREE application is constantly being updated so as to be aware of the latest hardware as it comes out.  The program can be downloaded as an installable version (it doesn't really install, it just copies the file to a new directory and makes shortcuts to the program, or you can download an extractable zip file.  It functions as a "standalone" program if you copy the entire unzipped folder to a thumb drive (approx. 4.5 MB total).

The program gives a nice little summary, and you can dig into any of the specific components if you wish to.  Another neat feature is that it will display your CPU Temperature and other information directly on your desktop if you wish!



System Information for Windows (SIW)

The advantage to this one is that you can get the freeware version that consists of just ONE file (the "standalone" version).  Another great program to put on your thumb drive.  It's a bit more confusing to use than PC wizard, but has all the same functions. Don't forget to check out the "Secrets" button, that will quickly show you how securely Windows stores your email and remembered web login usernames and passwords! (Not).