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Watch for new versions on Home Page if link becomes outdated.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 (quiet) batch-mode 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
HEX EDITORS
There are many freeware hex editors floating around- only a few listed here. I use these mainly for patching.
1. Zap-It- Hex and disk editor.
2. Hex- Small hex editor handles big files.
3. QVIEW- Text viewer for programmers doubles as hex /asm editor.
4. BIEW- Hex Editor.
5. HIEW- Hex editor for power users.
6. HexIt- Hex editor with macros; can insert and delete bytes/ blocks.
7. KZAP- Dual file hex editor/viewer with TSR option.
SMALLER LINUX DISTROS COMPATIBLE WITH DOS PARTITIONS...
Below are some smaller* Linux OS distributions that can coexist with DOS/Win9x on the same partition.
unrated [added 10-15-00 updated 11-16-00]
This newer Linux distro was designed to run on minimal hardware (a 386 CPU with 8MB RAM), yet it includes TCP/IP networking capabilities (ppp/plip/ethernet/slattach), an adequate set of networking applications (web browser, ftp, telnet, fetchmail, router/firewall), and other tools (Pico text editor, bash, and several unix tools).
BasicLinux runs in a 4MB RAM device giving it a degree of quickness even on slower 386's. Although many RAM disk-based Linux distributions are designed to be booted from floppies, the distribution files for Basic Linux (~2MB) can be unzipped to a hard disk directory and Linux can be booted immediately from the DOS prompt. Although you can also boot from pre-prepared floppies (2 req.), a HD boot will obviously be quicker (e.g., about 80 sec. from boot command to login prompt on my 386sx/20 w/8MB RAM, which is fast compared to floppy-only Linux distros). Because it runs in a RAM disk, BasicLinux is a fairly safe distribution to use for learning and experimenting; however, it does permit mounting (and modification) of other drives and was not designed for tutorial purposes (e.g., lacks man pages).
As distributed, BasicLinux provides only about 800 Kb free space in the 4MB RAM disk but an additional 4MB RAM disk can be created if you have 16MB+ RAM. You can mount other drives in order to permanently save work from the RAM disk, but you'll need to be comfortable with creating mount points and mounting devices. BasicLinux is derived from Slackware 3.5.
Author: Steven Darnold, New Zealand (2000)
11-16-00: v1.3 (11-00) available. "Upgraded versions of telnet and umount, improved formatting for fetchmail, more help for new users, built-in mouse capability, several new utilities and modules."
See the BasicLinux Home Page for more info and download links. Also see Steven's Linux For Old PCs page.
unrated [added 09-26-99 updated 02-11-01]
"...is a small distribution of the Linux operating system. Pygmy is UMSDOS based, it allows a novice user to install a fully functional operating system that co-exists peacefully with DOS/Win95,98 on the same partition. It is great for people who wish to experiment with Linux without the fear of trashing their computers with fdisk, for old PC users (minimal configuration is i486, 8 MB RAM and approximately 25 MB of disk space). Pygmy is internet ready, it supports connection via phone line (modem) and network card (LAN). It allows installation of Slackware, Redhat and Debian packages."
02-11-01: v0.9 (02-01) available.
See Pygmy Linux Project Homepage for download information, add-ons, and FAQS. Maintainer: Peter Psota (2001)
Linux-related: other
DOSEMU- Provides DOS emulation under Linux.
unrated [added 03-06-00 updated 07-14-00]
"DOSEMU is a PC Emulator application that allows Linux to run a DOS operating system in a virtual x86 machine. This allows you to run many DOS applications." DOSEMU does require native DOS files (e.g., command.com, io.sys, msdos.sys). Compatible with many DOS's.
Capabilities include:
Author: DOSEMU Team. (2000). Home Page.
07-14-00: v1.01, stable (07-00) available.
See DOSEMU FTP site for latest binaries.
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