Upgrading is serious business, so it�s important to ascertain which hardware is already on your system before you begin.There are several ways to find the names and specifications of each PC part. You can unplug the system, remove the cover, and take a good look. That�s the hard way; too many parts are tiny, hard to identify, or placed under something bigger and sight-obscuring.
Another way is to look at the computer�s manual. This method isn�t completely foolproof. Manufacturers often list several different system setups in the same manual, and you may not be able to identify which system you have just from the manual.
The most efficient way is to use the manual in conjunction with a program such as the Windows utility Microsoft Diagnostic or add-on third-party software (see sidebar).
DOS & Windows 3.x.
Both DOS and Windows come with a much-maligned little program called Microsoft Diagnostic (MSD). MSD is a resident-utility program new to DOS 6.0 and Windows 3.1 and comes standard in later releases.
MSD was initially created for use by Microsoft technicians and beta support staff so they would have a complete picture of customers� systems. Despite this humble beginning, MSD is also a good resource for the end user. It helps detect installed hardware and can compile this information for you in a separate file.
MSD comes with several built-in command-line switches typical of a DOS-type program. The best use of MSD is to detect all the functional hardware on your PC. This is also the main drawback to using MSD; only functional software will be detected, so if there�s a driver problem or the device simply isn�t working, MSD won�t tell you about it.
Still, for your hardware inventory purposes, MSD does the trick.
Starting MSD. For the best results, it�s absolutely vital that MSD be run directly from DOS. This is true even though Windows 3.x offers a DOS prompt window. Running MSD from within Windows can result in inaccurate information that won�t serve you well when you�re getting ready to invest hard-earned cash in upgrades.
Going directly to the regular DOS prompt for Windows 3.x users means exiting Windows. Once in DOS, you should see the C:\> prompt. Type msd at the prompt. The Microsoft Diagnostic screen appears to inform you that it is examining your system. This could take a few seconds or nearly a minute depending upon the speed of your computer.
System Summary. When MSD finishes its examination, the System Summary Screen appears. This screen contains three menu items: File, Utilities, and Help, as well as several blocks of information, including Computer, Memory, Video, Network, OS Version, Mouse, Other Adapters, Disk Drives, LPT Ports, COM Ports, IRQ Status, TSR Programs, and Device Drivers. Some versions also include a Windows block. Each block contains a screen of its own, which can be accessed by pressing the block�s highlighted letter.
Computer. To the right of this block are two lines. The top line lists the type of ROM (read-only memory), followed by the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) manufacturer�s name. Often, the information is the same for both items. The second line lists the PC�s processor type. Pressing the P key brings up the Computer information screen, listing all kinds of information from the name of the computer to keyboard specifications.
Memory. On the main screen, several numbers are shown: the PC�s amount of conventional RAM (random-access memory), extended memory, and any available memory. Press M to get a more complete picture.
Video. Not surprisingly, this screen lists the PC�s video capabilities.
Network. If you�re not part of a network system, the words No Network appear on the main screen to the right of this block. If you are, press N and the name of the network pops up.
OS Version. OS stands for operating system. The name says it all.
Mouse. Wondering which kind of mouse you�re using? Find that titillating tidbit here. Its IRQ (interrupt request line) address is found here, as well.
Other Adapters. This section displays facts about game adapters, such as joysticks, should you have one installed on your system.
Disk Drives. This block contains disk drive information. Pressing D will give you a list of all drives, their letters, type, free space, and total size.
LPT Ports. On the main screen is a number showing how many LPT (line printer terminal) ports MSD has located on your PC. The LPT screen gives you the base I/O (input/output) address of the port, as well as different status data.
COM Ports. Again, the number on the main screen indicates the number of COM (communications) ports detected. Pressing C brings up the COM Ports screen with port addresses, baud rates, and other communications information.
Windows. The current version of Windows in use is displayed on the main screen. If you delve further, you�ll see the technical information and Windows directory path.
IRQ Status. Pressing Q displays one of the most useful screens in MSD. It lists in order IRQ numbers 0 through 15 and each number�s corresponding hardware. Each device is described, and its hexadecimal address is displayed. This is particularly handy when installing new hardware; knowing which IRQs are free will save you a headache or two.
TSR Programs. Here, the terminate-and-stay-resident (TSR) programs are outlined. TSRs are DOS programs that remain in memory for quick access, even when they�re not running.
Device Drivers. If you�re interested in viewing all the device drivers on your system, take a peek in this section. Device drivers are programs that let hardware communicate with the computer.
Reporting options. A great reason to use MSD is to get a reference sheet of your hardware configurations. You can write them all down from the screen, which is both tedious and time-consuming, or you can print a report.
The simplest way to print a report is found under the File menu. Choose Print Report, and the Report Information screen appears. Here, you can select the report information you need as well as a printer port. To choose different bits of information, use the TAB key to move the cursor down the screen. Press the Spacebar to select or deselect the individual items. An X in the check box identifies that item as part of the report.
It�s also possible to put an X in the first box, Report All, which then reports all information contained in MSD. Unless you want to wade through oodles of Config.sys, Autoexec.bat, and initialization (.INI) files data, it�s best to choose just the items you want.
After you�ve selected the needed information, choose a printer port and press ENTER to continue. Next up is the Customer Information screen, which prompts you to personalize the report with your name, address, and other vital statistics. Again, the TAB key moves you from prompt to prompt. You don�t have to enter anything in this screen to continue with the report. If you�re ready to print, just press ENTER.
Now prepare to wait. The report might be long, depending upon how many doodads your PC contains. If you don�t feel like waiting, save the report as a file instead. To do this, you will have to go back to the Report Information screen and tab down to the Print To section. The last option is File: [Report.MSD . . .]. There, you can enter the drive name and file name of where you would like to save the report.
Windows 95
Microsoft Diagnostic. Microsoft vacillates with MSD in its Windows 95 (Win95) operating system. Essentially, the company excluded MSD in favor of the new Device Manager. You can expect Device Manager to be an integral part of Windows 98, as well.
Microsoft, however, didn�t completely get rid of MSD in Win95. A newer version, MSD 2.13, was shipped with the Win95 installation CD-ROM, but wasn�t part of the automatic installation. MSD wasn�t included anywhere, automatic or not, on the 14-diskette version of Win95. And users of the OSR2 may not have received a copy as part of their operating system package.
MSD is old; there�s no doubt about it. And Microsoft hasn�t updated it to report on Win95�s Registry or any of the newer OS enhancements. Despite this, it�s still useful for diagnosing IRQ and identifying basic hardware in Win95. CD-ROM owners can find Msd.exe in the \OTHER\MSD folder on the Win95 CD-ROM. It�s not a bad idea to locate it and copy it to a bootable diskette.
Device Manager. The newer hardware identification system in Win95 is the Device Manager. To access it from the Start menu, select Settings, then Control Panel, then double-click the System icon. From the Device Manager tab, users can view hardware by type or by connection.
When hardware is viewed by type, each device is listed with an icon. Any devices with additional information or more than one device under that heading are displayed with a plus (+) sign.
Clicking the plus sign shows the entire hierarchical list of hardware connected to that device. Clicking the Disk Drives plus sign, for example, might reveal a generic IDE hard drive, a diskette drive, and a Zip drive, if these drives are installed.
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Regardless of which way you view Device Manager, it�s simple to see the properties of any component by double-clicking its icon. In this window, you�ll see the device type, manufacturer, and hardware version. Device Manager also indicates here whether or not the device is working properly, and if not, what might be wrong.
At the top of the Device Manager hierarchical list is Computer. Double-click this icon to see useful overall system properties. In the View Resources tab, you can list all devices according to IRQ. This is a great way to see which settings are being used by which hardware. Like MSD, Device Manager lists the IRQ list in order from IRQ 0 to 15.
For general information about the central processing unit (CPU) your system has, turn to the first tab in the System applet titled, appropriately, General. Win95 lists on this tab the operating system in use, the type of CPU installed, and the total amount of RAM installed. This is the easy way to determine this information, all of which is essential to making the correct upgrade choices.
Printing reports. As with MSD, it�s a good idea to make a hard copy of the computer specifications for future reference. To do this in Device Manager, begin by pressing the Print button at the bottom of the Device Manager window. A Print dialog box pops up that lists the default printer, and offers you three report options: System Summary, Selected Class Or Device, and All Devices And System Summary.
Choosing System Summary prints out a plethora of information, including bus type, BIOS and CPU details, and summaries for IRQ usage, I/O port usage, upper memory usage, DMA Channel usage, memory, and disk drives.
Printing a Selected Class Or Device report requires you to click one class or device, such as disk drives or monitor. It prints a brief report naming the devices in that class along with any resources they use.
The All Devices And System Summary report fills more than a few pages; the amount of information depends upon how much is on your system. It includes all the sections printed in the System Summary report, but also adds the details of each class and subsequent device. This is a terrific resource you should update each time you add a new device.
If you don�t want to spend the time or the paper on the report, save it to file, and put it on a diskette for safe keeping. Go to the Printer dialog box again, place a check in the Print To File box, and enter a file name, folder, and drive where you want the file saved.
With system information and your manual in hand, you�ll be able to choose and purchase new components for your upgrade. Microsoft Diagnostic, Device Manager, and third-party utilities let you know what you have so you can decide what you need.
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Alternatives To MSD
One of the best-known is Symantec�s Norton Utilities, a comprehensive collection of troubleshooting tricks and maintenance utilities. Symantec makes several software packages to meet a variety of needs. The company�s best choices for folks seeking system information are Norton Utilities 8.0 for DOS/Windows 3.x and Norton Utilities 3.0 for Windows 95. Both have data-protection programs as well as software for testing essential system components and ironing out potential interrupt request line (IRQ) conflicts before hardware installation. Giving Norton a run for its money is Nuts & Bolts, a Network Associates troubleshooting utility. This suite of tools also includes hardware diagnostic and reporting tools and can give your PC a tune-up. Overall, this utility package resembles Norton Utilities, but is gaining a reputation all its own. For those seeking simplicity, Cybermedia�s First Aid 98 could be the utility that meets your needs. First Aid 98 has a terrific interface; users need only click the corresponding icon to test a specific component or peripheral, and there are options to check all at one time. While First Aid�s primary purpose is to resolve software troubles, it also packs a set of hardware diagnostic tools and tune-up tricks. If you�re a novice in the utility arena, this package won�t intimidate you.
For those users who want less automation than First Aid 98, but less complexity than Norton, Touchstone�s CheckIt
5.0 could be the answer. Although it doesn�t include a disaster-recovery program like the other packages mentioned, it does offer tools for testing hardware components. Its easy-to-use hardware diagnostics utility accurately reports on IRQs and other system
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CheckIt 5.0
Touchstone Software
$49.95 (retail; professional edition, $99.95)
(714) 969-7746
http://www.touchstonesoftware.com
