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Question

S/w w/c give h/ware+s/ware+folders+file content summaries?

Mar 18, 2014 10:43AM PDT

Is anyone here able to recommend any software that can:

i)make & provide a summary of one's hardware (eg.configuration details) software (eg. list by name & type) folders & their contents?

ii) do this across 2 or more machines in a small network?

This is for a home user.Does such software exist? Or anything near it?

Thanks.

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Is this the old IT assignment of cataloging PCs/software?
Mar 19, 2014 2:51AM PDT

There are pay for applications that do that but for free you can look at Belarc Advisor. While I think it's great some quibble/complain it's not in the exact format they demanded. For those I suggest they buy some IT Inventory Apps.
Bob

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Re.Is this the old IT assignment of cataloging PCs/software?
Mar 19, 2014 10:10PM PDT

I have done some research on this question.

To answer you directly & firstly, I guess that my question is concerned with the cataloguing of PCs/software.

I am not sure yet, but may end up with a third computer (2nd hand laptop) on top of the recently purchased new laptop, & the trusty desktop. Will have to adjust my home network for all of this.

Overall, what I will have is still pretty much a light load compared to the quite a bit of software that deals comprehensively with large organisations' PC/laptop/tablet inventory & s/w. Way more than I need, but in essence I think represent such cataloguing as you call it.

One of the things I notice is that none of these software appear to be able to give some sort of summary of folder numbers & cataloguing of files within them. Is there other software that can provide this? Or is this found via the root directory, if I remember correctly?

This would be it, wouldn't it--the bee's knees, as they say--comprehensive management of hardware, software, & files. Then you can become a really effective manager of your equipment/tools, & content.

Thanks for the referral to Belarc.

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That's called scripting.
Mar 20, 2014 5:42AM PDT

If I wanted an inventory of folders and such that's a script. There is no need for an app unless your IT staffer is the cousin of the President and that's how they got the job.

I guess some what everything to be an app today and don't want to write a script anymore.
Bob

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alternative means of data presentation...?
Apr 2, 2014 12:40PM PDT

Thanks for the reference to Belarc Advisor. It seems to provide its data on a html document. This presents a dilemma.

A malware problem has prevented internet availability on my main machine--which is to receive an OS reinstallation soon.

Along with the reinstallation, I am planning some upgrading. My Pentium 4 machine (2nd & supplementary machine) will be retired, & replaced by a more-up-to-date laptop. Some applications from the Pentium machine will be transferred to the laptop.

I would really love to be able to undertake the audit that Belarc Advisor performs, most definitely prior to the planned OS reinstallation. And of both machines. This will definitely help me in deciding what to keep & discard.

Yet, I am very unsure that Belarc Advisor will work on a network, with only on one machine (supplementary machine) fully functional, & with internet connection.With the main machine, only the network & transfer of files is functioning.

In this very unusual case, I am thinking that the only way to proceed is for such software to be able to be used on each machine as stand alone software.

What do you think? Are you able to recommend some additional software that suits this purpose?

Thanks.

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Try it now?
Apr 2, 2014 1:43PM PDT

I've used BA on no-network banged up OS with malware present to get a view of what's on the PC.
Bob

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Tried IT assets management software
Apr 9, 2014 10:41AM PDT

Have installed & utilised Belarc Advisor in both machines.

I have managed to gain good information about what is on either machine, both hardware & software. It provides a lot of information, which is quite useful. More than I can utilise, or fully comprehend.

It certainly focuses on the security issues, with its listing of Microsoft hotfixes & how significant each of these are. Along with other, very deep internal security measures. This part I can see is useful for someone with significant experience in IT, who wishes & knows how to implement very tight security on his system.

It does what it does, & does it well. Beyond giving me the ready, solid reference, the only other use I can see for it is when I manage to get around to concentrating on implementing my home user network security measures.

It is helping me deal with my planned reinstallation & my IT support contractor. If I wanted to get into the security issues deeper, and had to discuss this with my contractor, I wonder if he would tell me that it is way more than I need, & try & dissuade me...? I have found this with some IT support contractors--seemingly only wanting to do what they want to do, not wanting to work with the client to help fulfill his larger, strategic aims. This is another discussion, of course.


The only fault I can find with Belarc Advisor is that it appears you can't print any of it for yourself ie. no 'print' function/button. There just maybe times when you aren't at your computer, & you wish to use the information. I also haven't found that you can export the results to your USB, instead of printing it. Perhaps with the type of information it provides, maybe it is just as well it can't do these things.

Thanks again.