[HOW TO: Find out what kind of Hardware you have.] -
HOW TO: Find out what kind of Hardware you have.
Discuss HOW TO: Find out what kind of Hardware you have.
Posted by: Elbatrop1
[b]HOW TO FIND OUT WHAT KIND OF HARDWARE YOU HAVE WITHOUT OPENING YOUR COMPUTER'S CASE[/b]
Here is a tutorial on how to find out some information that is very useful when upgrading or troubleshooting your computer:D
The first section is the steps needed to find out what hardware you have and will give a list of things to include when asking for advice about your computer.
The second section will list the steps to use DirectX Diagnostic Tool to determine your type of Video Card
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[b]Section 1: Obtaining and using CPU-Z to gather system information[/b]
[b]Section 1a: Obtaining and using CPU-Z[/b]
1) Go and download [url=http://www.cpuid.org/cpuz.php]CPU-Z[/url].
2) After downloading CPU-Z extract the contents of the .zip file, and put the extracted files where you can easily access them.
3) Double-click the cpuz.exe file.
4) Now that CPU-Z is open, you can click on each tab to find out specific information about your computer.
[b]Section 1b: What to list when asking for advice[/b]
In the following section list the information that pertains to your query. For example, if you are upgrading your CPU, list the relevant information from the CPU Tab.
[b]CPU Tab:[/b]
Processor Specification
Processor Code Name
Core Speed
FSB
Bus Speed
[b]Mainboard Tab:[/b]
Motherboard Manufacturer
Motherboard Model
Graphic Interface Version
Graphic Interface Transfer Rate
[b]Memory Tab:[/b]
Type
Size
Frequency
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[b]Section 2: Using DirectX Diagnostic Tool to determine your type of Video Card[/b]
The DirectX Diagnostic Tool will give you information about you video and audio equipment and their drivers.
[b]Section 2a: Opening the DirectX Diagnostic Tool[/b]
1)Click the [b]Start[/b] button.
2)Click the [b]Run...[/b] button from the Start Menu.
3)Type [b]dxdiag[/b] in the text box.
[b]Section 2b: Finding relevant information from the DirectX Diagnostic Tool[/b]
In the following section list the information that pertains to your query.
[b]System Tab:[/b]
DirectX Version
[b]Display Tab:[/b]
Device Name
Device Chip Type
Device Approx. Total Memory
Drivers Main Driver
Drivers Version
Hope that helps:D:D
Posted by: bla!!
Might wanna put this in the Tutorials Section (although it doesn't get much traffic)
[url]http://www.tech-forums.net/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=68[/url]
Posted by: DJ-CHRIS
Please add this, and you can make it all bold and fancy and crap
HOW TO FIND GRAPHICS CARD INFOMATION
Press the windows start logo, and travel to the run command. Type dxdiag in that box. This tells you about what kind of a graphic card your running
Report the following in these tab's
SYSTEM TAB:
Report the DirectX Version:
DISPLAY TAB:
Under Device report the following;
Name:
Manafactuer:
Chip Type:
Approx Total Memory:
Under driver report the following;
Main Driver:
Version:
Posted by: Elbatrop1
Whew! :D Added and edited, Chris!
Posted by: DJ-CHRIS
We should also add post a picture of your power supply, or the exact name to that.
And that debug line doesnt tell me it's a 6600GT, just manafactuer and BIOS revision
Posted by: jorsoft03
I usually just use Sandra (Sisoftware). It puts everything in one place for me.
Posted by: GrimReaper23
well lots of people are going to be happy!
Posted by: TheMajor
[color=darkred]CPU-Z is mainly for extremely basic info about RAM and CPU. It barely show anything about your motherboard except for a few BIOS version numbers and random stuff like that and doesn't show any info compared to programs like AIDA32,DrHardware,SiSoft Sandra and Everest. A few things missing in CPU-Z: HDD, FDD, chipset info (like USB/firewire/LAN chips and more), ANY cards (AGP/PCI etc), transfer rates for PCI/IDE and other periphials.
I suggest these four programs I mentioned for good info about your hardware. AIDA32 and Everest will often display links to websites to get BIOS updates and a variety of drivers.[/color]
Posted by: woot7800GT
A noob way to find GPU info is to go to device manager.
Posted by: sam8240
use aida 32 utility
Posted by: Apokalipse
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by woot6600GT [/i]
[B]A noob way to find GPU info is to go to device manager. [/B][/QUOTE]
that'll work unless you don't have drivers
Posted by: DJ-CHRIS
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by woot6600GT [/i]
[B]A noob way to find GPU info is to go to device manager. [/B][/QUOTE]
And windows doesnt always get your hardware right
If i always got my hardware right, I would have a 1.23 Terabyte drive
Posted by: Juice Daddy
some friendly users from good old TF gave me info on a great system information program
EVEREST - [url]http://www.lavalys.com/products.php?lang=en[/url]
Posted by: Raze
I just want to say I used CPU-Z and it told me everything about a computer I just bought. Excellent choice for finding out whats inside. You can read more about what CPU-Z told me about the computer I bought at this link [url]http://www.tech-forums.net/showthre...15&pagenumber=1[/url]
Also I want to say that CPU-Z helped but I wouldnt have known if it hadnt been for these forums and the members here. Everyone here has been a great help throughout this headache of mine.
Posted by: inam
hey Elbatrop1, thanks for the tip...it really helped
Posted by: Sethlin
Everest, from lavalys.com and belarc from belarc.com are great diagnostic and troubleshooting programs.
Ive used for both for a number of years and they have always helped me get new drivers or find out what a part is. Everest can also do benchmarks.
Posted by: NJDfan1711
Hmm, ok...the 3 easiest ways I know of, which you guys kind of touched on:
1- Start > Run > "dxdiag" (without the quotes). Press Enter, let it run the test, then save the file and upload the .txt file here.
2- Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > "System Information". That'll tell you virtually everything you want to know.
3- Right-click My Computer, choose Properties. Click the hardware tab. Click Device Manager. Voila.
:D
Posted by: jaksback
what program is ever going to be 100% accurate, i tghought sisoftware was supposed be the greatest and latest but it was totally inaccuratetelling me i had 5 memory banks and 2 cpu's and such.....
Posted by: NJDfan1711
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by jaksback [/i]
[B]what program is ever going to be 100% accurate, i tghought sisoftware was supposed be the greatest and latest but it was totally inaccuratetelling me i had 5 memory banks and 2 cpu's and such..... [/B][/QUOTE]What's wrong with using my method #2? That's 100% accurate and always will be.
Posted by: Cage K
Some real good information posted in this thread, thanks for stickying it.
Posted by: straightv6
What about the people running some type of linux?
Posted by: Elbatrop1
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by straightv6 [/i]
[B]What about the people running some type of linux? [/B][/QUOTE]
Believe me, if I knew a bit more about Linux, then I might do just that. Since I dont know too much, perhaps you could write up something?
Posted by: frogtalk
Can this everest or other software tell you what kind of hard drive connections are in your computer? Or do I have to open the case to find out? the device manager said it was an IDE/ATA thing for hard drives... that makes no sense to me, but I am not the techhie in the house.
Posted by: bagamot
You can also use a free tool called Belarc Advisor which you can download at [url]www.download.com.[/url]
It tells you just about everything about your computer hardware including software installed on your system and service packs that are installed.
Posted by: figero
I use both SiSandra and Belarc Advisor.