global menu:
SYSTEM INFO AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS
Remarks:
NSSI- System information tool with excellent CPU identification capability.
unrated [added 01-30-98 updated 05-04-01]
NSSI is an up-to-date freeware hardware information tool. Some features have yet to be implemented, but it is quickly becoming a comprehensive and detailed hardware analyzer.
Major components addressed (with detail):
Also includes CPU and FPU performance tests. Other capabilities: Save BIOS, Save Video BIOS, Save Boot, Save Partition, View File, Search Video Modes and Test CPU Bugs, Test Y2K rollover, Reset keyboard, Reset computer, Test speaker, printer, Automatic Report. Command line options available (e.g., autoreport). Author: Tomáš Navrátil, Czech Republic. (2001)
Watch for new versions on Home Page if link becomes outdated.
05-04-01: v0.50.13 (05-01) available.
download nssi050.exe (375K)
Informer- System information tool.
unrated [added 05-07-01]
Seems to be a good sysinfo tool. Optional batch-mode (quiet) report generation.Major components addressed (with detail):
Other summary info:
Author: K.V. Kondakov, Russia (2001).
AIDA- System information and benchmarking program.
unrated [added 01-06-01 updated 05-01-01]
A current sysinfo and benchmarking tool in beta development- strength seems to be with identifying current, rather than legacy hardware. Multi-language support under development. Free for individual use only.
Hungary (2001). AIDA Home Page.
05-01-01: v1.41 (05-01) available.
download aida.zip (874K)
ASQ- System analysis tool from QUALITAS.
unrated
Qualitas, the company that developed the famed MAX memory management tools for DOS, is freely distributing their aging sysinfo program ASQ on their Web site. You'll need to fill in a web page form with your name and e-mail/ postal addresses to get access to the download page. ASQ is analogous to the MSD tool shipped with DOS/ Win3x, but includes a few different features. Doesn't have a graphic memory mapper like MSD. ASQ can analyse your DOS configuration and suggest areas where you can improve performance/ memory management. It is menu driven and contains a helpful tutorial and glossary. Here are some features:
Memory summary..... EMS usage......... CMOS detail
Low DOS memory..... XMS memory........ Equipment summary
High DOS memory.... Access timing..... Video
ROM scan........... Config summary.... Drives
Interrupts......... CONFIG.SYS file... Ports
Extended memory.... AUTOEXEC.BAT file. BIOS detail
Expanded memory.... MAX PROfile file.. Qualitas information
ExtraDOS profile... SYSTEM.INI........ Windows information
The current version (1996) is getting dated now and won't be of much value to owners of newer PC's.
Go to ASQ download page (asq.zip is 230K)
PC Diagnostics- Hardware diagnostics tool.
unrated [added 09-25-99]
PC Diagnostics '95 performs hardware testing- this distinguishes it from traditional system information utils like Microsoft's MSD or Qualitas' ASQ. PC Diagnostics "can check out most aspects of any PC, including modern features such as the PCI, AGP & MCA busses, and handles all types of systems, from an XT all the way to Pentium II. Performs system burn-in's and can even detect intermittent problems." While not difficult to use, it is intended for computer technicians /experienced users who are best able to interpret the information generated. Limitations and cautions are fully discussed in the documentation. This tool needs to be run after a clean boot. For more info see the PC DIAGNOSTICS '95 page
Author: Craig Hart, Australia (1999) Home page.
Development of this program has ceased (last version released 1999- it should remain useful for legacy PC's).
download diags.zip (179K)
Y2000- Test PC for Year 2000 compliance (Y2K).
unrated
"This program tests the personal computer's ability to support the year 2000, not the operating system or software applications. Separate testing must be performed on software." Returns error levels that can be used in batch files. Can't be run under Windows. Author: NSTL (1997)
The following tests are performed:
download y2000.exe (33K, self extracting ZIP)
Also see: HOLMESFX- TSR fix for old bios RTC Y2K failures
PCI- PCI system information tool.
unrated [added 08-28-00 updated 05-04-01]
Most modern PCs (mid 1990's +) include a PCI bus. PCI "examines your PCI Bus (including devices on the motherboard, AGP port and within the PCI chipset itself) and reports in detail. Identifies over 5500 different vendors and devices." Released as freeware, is freely modifiable, and source is included. PCI database is updated regularly.
Usage: PCI [-H] [-D] [-S] [-T] [-B] [-P] [-?] [] indicates optional parameter
-H : Use direct hardware access (instead of the BIOS) to retrieve PCI Info
May be required for accurate reporting on Intel 430FX chipset+Award BIOS
-D : Do a hex-dump of each device's configuration space
-S : Create a brief, summary report only; only devices and IRQs listed
-T : Disable test ROM IRQ Routing Table function
-B : Enable display of Bus, Device & Function info
-P : Enable display of PCI slot routing data
-? : Displays this help screen!
Author: Craig Hart, Australia (2001). Home Page.
05-04-01: v0.42beta available (03-01).
download pci.zip (140K)
and also get latest PCI database: PCIDEVS.TXT
DOS Function Tracers
Memory resident utilities that can be used to troubleshoot program errors and log file access. Don't run these under Windows.
1. Argus- DOS function tracer logs file access and other parameters.
2. KGB- DOS function tracer logs file access.
Argus * * * * A memory resident utility that packs a big punch for its small (8K) size. Argus can log access to drives, directories, files and transferred bytes, EMS use, modifications of the INT table, and memory management. I use it primarily to troubleshoot and to discover what file actions some apps perform (e.g., what files are required by a program, log creation of temp files, etc.). Requires about 5K RAM and can be uninstalled from memory. One warning: The log files created by Argus can grow very large very quickly.
KGB * * * A 2K memory resident utility that logs only file activity. Unlike Argus, KGB doesn't stamp the log entries with times. The log file is smaller and easier to read compared with Argus because KGB doesn't record common error messages. Permanent saving of log file. Requires 1K RAM and can be disabled or uninstalled from memory.
download argus161.zip
download kgb104.zip
[ Go to Top | Front Page ]
© 1994-2001. Rich Green