Best Free System Information Utility
The freeware utility AIDA32 was for a long time the best system information / inventorying tool ever, regardless of price. It documented just about every aspect of your hardware and software configuration as well as checking networks and providing memory benchmarks. However the developer announced in March 2004 that the free product had been frozen and development work shifted to another organization where AIDA32 was re-launched as a commercial product called Everest. You can however still find the old AIDA32 at the first link below [1] and the non-discontinued free version of Everest called Everest Home here [2]. The old AIDA32 works better across networks while Everest Home covers more modern hardware than AIDA32.
Another inventory utility for networks is Spiceworks [3]. It's a browser based inventory program that allows LAN managers to quickly discover and document the hardware, software and patch status of their network PCs.
That rather bland description seriously under-sells the usefulness of this product. It's got a terrific filter system that allows you to target your inventory request plus a highly customizable reporting system. On top of that it has a great interface, is easy to use, can handle Linux and Mac OS X workstations and uses standard network protocols. It's free but is discreetly advertising supported.
If you only need to inventory a single PC then you should also check out Belarc Advisor [4]. It's free for non commercial use and while not quite as thorough as AIDA32, it has the advantage of being actively developed.
My current favorite for home use is the SIW utility [5] written by Gabriel Topala. It "displays detailed specs for motherboard, BIOS, CPU, devices, memory, video, disk drives, ports, printers, operating system, installed programs, processes, services, serial numbers (CD keys), users, open files, system uptime, network, network shares, as well as real-time monitors for CPU, memory, page file usage and network traffic. It also displays currently active network connections, passwords hidden behind asterisks, installed codecs, and more." That's impressive enough for a freebie but my favorite feature is SIW does not need installing; all you need to do is run the executable. This means one less installed program on your PC as well the fact that you can run the program directly from a USB flash drive.
PC Wizard 2008 [6], is a system information utility that is strong in workstation description and benchmarking. It's a well implemented program with a nice multi-panel display with different analysis functions easily selectable using sidebar buttons. Overall it provides a little less system information that SIW but the benchmarking feature makes up for it. Benchmarks can be run on individual parameters such as processor performance, memory and cache speed, video performance and hard drive speed or can be run be for all functions with the single press of a button. In the latter case an overall numeric system performance index is also calculated. Overall PC Wizard 2008 is an impressive system utility well suited to those who want to get a better understanding of their PC's configuration and performance. The fact that it is regularly updated adds further to its appeal.
[1] AIDA32 - Personal System Information
Website: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download181.html
Download link: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download181.html
Author: Tamas Miklos
Current version: 3.93
Version date: Feb 23 2004
License: Freeware
Download Filesize: 2.9MB
Operating Systems Supported: 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP/Vista
Additional Software Required: None
64 Bit Capable: No
Portable Version Available: No
Additional Software Required: None
Non-English languages supported: Albanian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, Gallegan, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Serbian, Simplified Chinese, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Traditional Chinese, Ukrainian, Estonian, Icelandic
Other relevant information: The product is discontinued and unsupported.
[2] Everest Home
Website: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html
Download link: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html
Author: Lavalys
Current version: 2.20
Version date: Aug 18 2005
License: Freeware
Download Filesize: 4MB
Operating Systems Supported: 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP/Vista
Additional Software Required: None
64 Bit Capable: No
Portable Version Available: No
Non-English languages supported: None
Other relevant information: The product is discontinued and unsupported.
[3] Spiceworks
Website: http://www.spiceworks.com/
Download link: http://spiceworks.com/signup/
Author: Spiceworks
Current version: Version 2.1
Version date: Mar 2008
License: Freeware
Download Filesize: 7,917KB
Operating Systems Supported: XP Pro SP2/2003/Vista
Additional Software Required: Firefox 1.5 - 2.0, Internet Explorer 6.0-7.0
64 Bit Capable: No
Portable Version Available: No
Additional Software Required: None
Non-English languages supported: None
Other relevant information:
[4] Belarc Advisor
Website: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
Download http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
Author: Belarc
Current version: 7.2x
Version date: March 11 2008
License: Freeware
Download Filesize: 1633 KB
Operating Systems Supported: 95/98/Me/NT4/2000/XP/2003/Vista
Additional Software Required: Requires IE 3 or Netscape 3, and higher versions. Also runs on Opera, Mozilla, and Firefox.
64 Bit Capable: No
Portable Version Available: No
Additional Software Required: None
Non-English languages supported: None
Other relevant information:
[5] System Information for Windows (Freeware Version)
Website: http://www3.sympatico.ca/gtopala/about_siw.html
Download link: http://www.gtopala.com/siw-download.html
Author: Gabriel Topala.
Current version: 2008-06-04 Freeware Version
Version date: June 03, 2008
License: Freeware (non commercial use)
Download Filesize: 1.47MB Eng - 3.95MB Multi+Installer
Operating Systems Supported: 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Additional Software Required: None
64 Bit Capable: No
Portable Version Available: No
Non-English languages supported: Catalan, Chinese - Simplified, Chinese - Traditional, Czech, Danish, Dutch, French, Greek, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese Brazilian, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Ukrainian
Other relevant information: None
[6] PC Wizard 2008
Website: http://www.cpuid.com/pcwizard.php
Download link: http://www.cpuid.com/pcwizard.php
Author: Laurent KUTIL & Franck DELATTRE
Current version: 2008.1.84
Version date: 24 Feb 2008
License: Freeware
Download Filesize: 2706 KB
Operating Systems Supported: 95/98/98SE/Me/NT SP4/2000/XP Home/Professional/XP SP1/XP SP2/Vista.
Additional Software Required: None
64 Bit Capable: 64-bit (x86-64, IA-64) : Windows XP/2003, Server 2003,Server 2003R2, Vista.
Portable Version Available: No
Additional Software Required: None
Non-English languages supported: French, German, Serbian, Slovak, Russian, Greek
Other relevant information: None
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Just thought you should include LogInventory here - not as intuitive as Spiceworks, but a very comprehensive auditing tool nonetheless.
At the time of writing, Loginventory will scan 20 machines for free - more than enough for most home networks. I trialed both Loginventory and Spiceworks at work, and found that Loginventory was (only just), better than Spiceworks: it was faster to use, crashed less and provided more information.
However, this was some time ago now - so both products will have improved with age, one hopes. Recent tests with Spiceworks does show a distinct advantage for business users, as the built in HelpDesk solution is very capable - though not really in the Remedy or Lan Desk arena.
But for FREE, Spiceworks is very likely unbeatable.
Ummm.... CPU-Z?
Thanks for the tip about SIW I was hoping that it would also provide information about Outlook accounts - ie user names and passwords and set up details. Can you find this information with SIW? Is there another similar program that will give Outlook details
Phil S
Running SIW under Software | Secrets you will find Resource Type , Resource Name, User Name and Password (!) for past and present accounts. So when you have your computer serviced.........
For setup details ( I assume you mean server names) I go to the site of the ISP. Although that might be a problem if you have only one computer without a running connection.
Hans M
Just a few notes about Spiceworks. Not only is it a network inventory tool (and a great one at that), but it also has a *fabulous* helpdesk ticketing system. For the user, it authenticates using your networks Active Directory credentials using an easy-to-use helpdesk web portal. Updates are automatically sent to the user (unless you as the techie specify otherwise).
It is advertising driven, but the ads are mostly off to one side and non intrusive. If you wish you can pay $10 a month (or $110 / year) for an ad-free experience.
Way too many feature to describe here, but if you are looking for a network inventory / helpdesk tool, Spiceworks is a *great* way to go.
posted by Keith Richmond, the Canadian Tech Guy.
http://canadiantechguy.blogspot.com
SIW has a portable edition & is EXCELLENT..........Even better than the ones above it
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