System Profiler Tools (AIDA 32 Alternative)

osaddict

As part of a 'PC Audit' I wish to do on our workstations I would like to get a 'profile' for each PC.

In the past I had used AIDA 32 - quite a nice little app, even told me the programs installed - worked well.

However, as I understand it this is no longer updated and is rather defunked.

So... what other programs can you suggest which would provide me with the same information - with the output saved as a pdf or html file for example.

(This is a real long shot, and indeed unlikely, but something where I could configure it and send round a '1 click' type application which my colleagues could then press and send me the results would be superb too - but I doubt that would be readily available)

Thanks in advance!

kryyst

Check out Spiceworks. I use it at work and it's very easy to setup and provides a lot of information. You don't even have to install anything on the remote machine as it probes them to get the information very effectively.

osaddict

Thanks for that Kryyst - It looks like a very useful tool

osaddict

I've installed this, and given it a go - it looks superb, but I'm having problems getting it to scan other PCs and give me the details...

I stuck with the default port of 80, I have my firewall turned off, and I have turned one off on another PC - therefore as I understand it there should be no issues of ports being closed.

When I set it up I get the prompt

Does the account you are logged into right now have remote administration privileges to Windows computers on the network?

I don't fully understand what this means, but I just clicked yes, as if I click no it prompts me to enter one that does have these admin privileges.

We are NOT currently in a domain based environment, i.e. all individual workstations which connect to the server for internet access and as a file server.

Would we have to operate a client:domain structure for the whole remote admin priv's to be applicable?

If not - does anyone know how I can achieve it? - This app looks really sweet, but I've kind stumbled ad the first hurdle at present!

osaddict

I should have pointed out - we access the internet via a proxy server - as the internet connection gets passed through ISA server - but I assumed this would not affect how I scanned the PCs - hence I kept it as port 80.

(Browsers are configured to use port 8080)

kryyst

The app works best in an environment with a Domain Controller, because then it can use the domain/administrator authorization to scan every machine. If you aren't in a DC then you need to provide it with an administrative account that is valid on a given PC. So if every PC has a seperate account for the person and that's it then you'd need to know their username/password to scan it.

If that is the case, I'd recommend creating an admin account on each computer with the same password for everyone and then you can use that to do the scans.

osaddict

Ah ok, as I thought - I played around with it a little on Friday - it also doesn't seem to like adding accounts without passwords too - as some users have.

If I created an admin account on each PC with the same user/pass would that user account have to be logged in at the time of scanning with Spiceworks or would it still scan if just logged in as a standard user?

(I guess this also raises issues about people who may have installed apps on an admin account on their pc for just their account - meaning I wouldn't have a record of the stuff they installed on just their account...)

kryyst

If a proper administrator account exists it can scan that machine with those credentials, regardless of what user is actually logged in at the time, and the administrator account has to have a password (which is just good practice anyway). It will find any applications installed regardless of what account they were installed under or who's got access to them.

Administrator knows all sees all good luck charms!