The Anatomy of Windows XP's System Information Tool

The Anatomy of Windows XP’s System Information tool

System Information Components System Information employs an expandable tree structure to break down system configuration information into five categories:

System Summary: Displays a general profile of your computer and the operating system including CPU type, amount of RAM, and information about the page file

Hardware Resources: Displays detailed information about hardware resources including DMA, IRQ, and the I/O channel

Components: Displays detailed about each of the main components in your system such as storage devices, display devices, and network adapters

Software Environment: Displays information about the system software configuration including such things assigned drivers, program groups, and running tasks

What System Information is System Information Tricks Internet Settings: Displays detailed information about Internet Explorer configuration including file The Windows XP System Information • Launch System information from the Run version numbers, installed objects, and connectivity utility collects and displays detailed dialog box with the commands: settings configuration information about your Winmsd.exe or Msinfo32.exe. computer. This includes information By Greg Shultz about the main components, hardware • Use the Find What panel to quickly locate resources, and system software. System specific configuration information. Information is extremely handy when • View menu lets you switch to System troubleshooting problems related to your History view, which shows an entire machine's system configuration. month’s worth of configuration changes. Version 1 March 8, 2005 Launch System Information from the • Tools menu provides access to a number Start | All Programs | Accessories | of useful troubleshooting utilities, such as Copyright ©2005 CNET Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. Net Diagnostics, System Restore, File System Tools menu. To see more downloads and get your free TechRepublic membership, Signature Verification Tool, DirectX please visit: http://techrepublic.com.com/2001-6240-0.html Diagnostics Tool, and Dr. Watson. The Anatomy of Windows XP’s Version 1 System Information tool March 8, 2005

Additional resources • Tech Tip: Investigate changes with the System Information tool (TechProGuild) • Tech Tip: Document your system with System Information utility (TechProGuild) • Maximize the Performance of Windows XP (Book Chapter) • KiXtart script: Change a PC's registered owner on Windows NT/2000/XP (Free Download) • Windows Service Process Identifier Tool (Free Download) Version history Version: 1.0 Published: March 8, 2005

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