Making a System Dossier
Table of Contents
What is a system dossier?
A system dossier is a great way to provide needed information about your computer (hardware, software, and OS). While you could list it all by hand, some problems can require a lot of information, and it would be time-consuming to obtain it all manually. The more info you can provide about your computer the easier it is for someone to diagnose your issue, and the more accurate their advice will be.
General System Information
None of the tools here do everything, but oftentimes all of them don’t need to be run.
Specs (Get-Specs)
Specs is a small tool made by us that gets a bunch of info about your hardware, software, and OS, and allows convenient ways to save and share it. You can download it here.
Once downloaded, extract the zip file and run Specs.exe. Follow the prompts, and it will eventually give you an option to upload the snapshot to our pastebin or to view the file on your computer. Uploading the file will last for 24 hours. Either way, the file will be saved in TechSupport_Specs.html.
Alternatively, you can use Speccy to get similar information.
msinfo32
msinfo32 is built into Windows. It will provide some of the same information Speccy does. This is more focused on hardware and OS than installed software.
It is best if you run this tool with elevated privileges, but it won’t force you to.
You can open the tool by typing msinfo32 into a command line, or you can open it using run (Win+R).
When saving information from msinfo32, you can choose to save or export. Both of these provide all of the information seen.
- Saving will create a .nfo file, which allows it to be opened in msinfo32 later. It can be read by hand as well. It will be larger than export.
- Exporting will create a .txt file, which is easiest to read without msinfo32. It cannot be opened by msinfo32 at a later date
dxdiag
dxdiag is also built into Windows. It provides very basic information about your system but has a few things that nothing else provides.
It is best if you run this tool with elevated privileges, but it won’t force you to.
You can open the tool by typing dxdiag into a command line, or you can open it using run (Win+R).
There is only one way to save the information from dxdiag, which is the “Save All Information…” button. It will create a small .txt file.
Useful for crashes or blackscreens
These are not a replacement for general system information tools, these should only be an additional tool you use.
HWiNFO stress tests and logging
This provides a view of how your system runs under load. This is useful to determine hardware faults or overheating issues.
Dump files
Dump files are what Windows uses to save information before a crash. You might have dump files in C:\Windows\Minidump.
If you do, copy the folder to the desktop and create a zip file of it.
Power Supply
If you are using a desktop computer, getting the make and model of your power supply can help identify if that is the problem.
None of these tools can identify it, you have to look at your PSU if you don’t know. Saying “500W Gold” doesn’t give any real information about your power supply.
Useful for networking issues
These are not a replacement for general system information tools, these should only be an additional tool you use.
ipconfig
ipconfig is a command-line tool built into Windows. This outputs information into the command line and you are responsible for saving it. You can use pastebin, or save it to a text file.
- Running
ipconfig /allwill give information about network adapters and current network connection status. - Running
ipconfig /displaydnswill give information about currently cached information
ifconfig.me
ifconfig.me is a site will which give information about your external network connection and status. You can use the command line to get information using the curl commands. This outputs information into the command line and you are responsible for saving it. You can use pastebin, or save it to a text file.
- Running
curl ifconfig.me/allwill give give information out external connection status.
If you get the error Could not resolve host, just saying that is fine.
Other, single-task tools
These are not a replacement for general system information tools, these should only be an additional tool you use.
winver
winver is a tool built into Windows. It will give information about the Windows version, build, and skew.
You can open the tool by typing winver into a command line, or you can open it using run (Win+R).
Taking a screenshot, or manually copying the relevant information is acceptable.
- For version and build, you need the line:
Version ____ (OS Build ___.___) - For skew, you need the line:
The Windows __ ____ operating system and...
slmgr
slmgr is a tool built into Windows. It will give information about the current license and licensing status.
You can open the tool by typing slmgr /dli into a command line, or you can open it using run (Win+R).
Most of this information can be useful, it is recommended that you take a screenshot of the window that pops up.
Crystal disk info
Crystal disk info (CDI) is a tool for obtaining the SMART status of all attached drives.
You can download it here.
For saving information, Edit -> Copy then either save it to a text file or use Pastebin