System Information Tool

The System Information Tool collects your system configuration information and provides a menu for displaying the associated system topics. Support technicians require specific information about your computer when they are troubleshooting your configuration. You can use System Information to quickly find the data they need to resolve your system problem. Not that you're going to have any problems with the Windows operating system! Internet Explorer Repair Tool The Internet Explorer Repair Tool gives you choices to Add a component, Repair Internet Explorer or Restore the previous Windows configuration. DirectX Diagnostic Tool This tool reports detailed information about the DirectX components and drivers installed on your system. It allows you to run tests, diagnose problems and change your system configuration. Windows Report Tool If you have problems using Windows and would like to send a diagnostic report to technical support engineers, use the Windows Report Tool. After you describe the problem, the tool automatically copies pertinent information from your computer and system files. Technical support engineers can then look at your system information and work with you to resolve the problem. Update Wizard Uninstall You may have used Windows Update to install an updated version of a patch, driver, or system tool. If you then decide to uninstall the new version, and cannot reestablish your Internet connection, use the Update Wizard Uninstall to revert to the earlier version. Update Wizard Uninstall displays the updates that have been installed on your computer. Previous versions of patches, drivers, and system tools are saved in a backup folder on your hard drive. When you choose an item to uninstall, the newer version is copied to the backup folder and the older version is reinstalled. System File Checker Use System File Checker to verify the integrity of your operating system files, to restore them if they are corrupted, and to extract compressed files (such as drivers) from your installation disks. You can have System File Checker back up the existing files before restoring the original files. You can also customize search criteria based on folder and file extension. Signature Verification Tool The Signature Verification Tool finds signed and unsigned files on your computer. A signed file is one that has been granted a Microsoft digital signature. The signature states that the file is an unaltered copy of the original file. With the Signature Verification Tool, you can: View the certificates of signed files to make sure the files have not been tampered with. Search for signed files in a specific location. Search for unsigned files in a specific location. Registry Checker Windows always keeps a backup copy of your registry configuration (including user account information, protocol bindings, software program settings, and user preferences). You can use the backup copy if your current registry encounters a problem. Each time you restart your computer, Registry Checker automatically scans your registry. If Registry Checker notices a problem, it automatically replaces the registry with the backup copy. Automatic Skip Driver Agent The Automatic Skip Driver (ASD) tool identifies failures that have caused Windows 98 to stop responding on previous startups and marks them so they are bypassed on subsequent startups. Dr. Watson Dr. Watson is a diagnostic tool that takes a snapshot of your system whenever a system fault occurs. It intercepts software faults, identifies the software that faulted, and offers a detailed description of the cause. Dr. Watson can often diagnose the issue and offer a suggested course of action. When you contact Microsoft Technical Support for assistance, Dr. Watson is the tool used to help evaluate the problem. Note: Dr. Watson is not loaded by default. To launch Dr. Watson automatically, create a shortcut in your Startup group to \Windows\DrWatson.exe. System Configuration Utility The System Configuration Utility (Msconfig.exe) automates the routine troubleshooting steps that Microsoft Technical Support engineers use when diagnosing issues with the Windows 98 configuration. This tool permits you to modify the system configuration through a process of elimination with check boxes, reducing the risk of typing errors previously associated with Notepad and System Configuration Editor. System Configuration Utility also can create a backup copy of your system files before you begin a troubleshooting session. Create backup copies of your system files to ensure that the modifications made during your troubleshooting session can be reversed. ScanDisk For info on ScanDisk, click here. Version Conflict Manager During installation of new software, including Windows 98, older versions of software files may be detected and then replaced with the newer versions. The older versions are backed up and saved on your hard disk. If you have conflicts with your system or software files after you install an application, Version Conflict Manager is used to restore a backup file. Version Conflict Manager lists all your backup files, the dates they were backed up, and the version numbers of backup and current files. When you restore a backup file, the current version is then backed up. Both versions remain available. For more information on Windows System Tools, click the Windows Start button and choose Help. Select the Index tab and type one of the above in as a keyword. It's that simple! Top of page last modified Monday December 20 2004 © 2000 - David Seibold