Identifying your Computer Hardware

**steve.ledger** · 02 October 2007, 08:23 PM

Often when questions or reports of problems which may be hardware or driver related are posted, you could be asked to submit certain system information so that some more technical members can help with finding solutions.
However, sometimes accuracy in correctly identifiying hardware can be difficult, not everyone is familiar with PC hardware.

A complete system hardware information/identification software is available for free as the very excellent 'PCWizard':
http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/icons/icon2.gif http://www.cpuid.com/pcwizard.php
No installation necessary if you dl' the .zip version (also runs as a portable app from USB flash drive etc).

**ascerbic** · 25 April 2009, 08:35 AM

thank you, i used SIW before but this is just as good, maybe better

**Soquili** · 25 April 2009, 12:41 PM

I've used PCWizard for several years. Looking forward to the 2009 release.

It is the most accurate program that I have found for identifying new and ancient hardware.

**Burpee** · 25 April 2009, 07:12 PM

I usually do Start/run/dxdiag. I think most of the information is there. In any case it's fun to do some of the tests in there.

**Albacore** · 26 April 2009, 09:24 AM

Steve I use "Belarc Advisor" but it has to be installed but it give a lot more info.

**steve.ledger** · 26 April 2009, 09:30 AM

Yes that's a good one Peter. But I have to be careful what I install on customers PC's therefore portable software which runs from my 2.5" USB Notebook HDD is perfect

**kinetica** · 01 June 2009, 11:22 AM

I have just used this to identify and repair a problem on a friend's PC. Thank you very much.

**ginger44** · 03 June 2009, 07:43 PM

I have IE ver 7 on my machine - under Help on the menu just under the about.. is a button for system info, it lists all hardware, software, drivers and my latest urine test.... Neatly hidden by MS

Yvonne