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HOW TO USE WINDOWS 95 AND 98: GETTING INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR OS AND HARDWARE

Every software program and hardware device has specific minimum requirements (usually listed on the box and in the instructions). Before you buy new software or gadgets for your PC, you need to make sure your PC's hardware and operating system meet or exceed the product's requirements.  Use the instructions below to determine your PC's Operating System, Processor manufacturer and model, the amount of memory (RAM) your PC has, and how much space is available on your hard drive.


Opening the Device Manager
Printing a System Summary
Reading the System Summary
Checking how much free space is on your hard drive

Opening the Device Manager

  1. Click on the Start button (usually located at the bottom left-hand corner of your screen).  This will bring up the Start menu.
  1. Click on Settings.  This will open the Settings window.
  1. Click on System.  This will open the System Properties window.


  1. Click on the Device Manager tab.

 

Printing a System Summary

  1. Now, Click the Print button.

  1. If there isn't already a black dot in the white circle next to System Summary, Click in the little white circle next to System Summary.

  2. Click the OK button.  The resource summary report will now be printed out- it will probably be about 2 pages in length.

 

Reading the System Summary

  1. In the first section, System Summary, look for the following:

Windows Version: This is the version of Windows installed on your PC.

  • For help interpreting the Windows version information, click here.

Processor Type:  This will show you the make of your computer's processor.
Processor Vendor: This will give you the name of the company that made your PC's processor. 
Physical Memory:  This tells you how much memory (also called RAM) is installed in your PC.


Before installing any new hardware or software, you will probably also need to know how much free space you have on your PC's hard drive:

 

Checking how much free space is on your hard drive

  1. On your computer's Desktop, Double Click on My Computer.

  2. Click on View, and then click on Details.  This will make the My Computer window list information about any drives connected to your computer.

  1. Locate your hard drive- most often, your hard drive's name will be Local Disk (C:)- and note the figure listed in the Free Space column.


Note: If you don't see all of the necessary information listed for your hard drive, Click on the maximize button (circled in red in the above image).  This will make the My Computer window large enough to fit all of the information. 

Congratulations!  You now have the basic system information you will need to choose compatible hardware and software for your PC.  It's a good idea to keep this information on hand so it will be ready next time you need it.

If you would like general guidelines and instructions for installing Software, see Installing Software.
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