This is a collection of programs I’d suggest using to gather information on your PC before making major changes.  How often I’ve gotten calls from folks asking for help with their computer that is having issues, however they don’t have a clue as to what is in it.  I’d be a billionaire if I had a nickle for each of those calls.

Piriform Speccy – This has lately become one of my favorites.  Folks at Piriform keep rolling out software that is so useful that I’m having a hard time not shelling out more and more bucks to support their full version of their products.  This little jewel gives you temp’s, Operating system info, Ram, and the list goes on and one.  Snap this one up folks.  It’s my new Recommendation.  Supports XP, Vista and Win7.

EVERST Ultimate Edition – DISCONTINUED, was one of the BEST tool’s I’ve ever seen for find out what’s inside your computer.  The parent company is now pushing their new product AIDA64 Extreme (Trial version).  Only supports Vista and Win7.

Belarc Advisor – Great FREE personal pc audit tool.   Run’s on most of the windows platforms and with most of the browsers on the market.  It’s a great way to monitor what products are being used on your pc’s.  Useful for an audit in cause you are worried that someone has installed unlicensed software on your systems.  In the past I’ve been paid to use this software for an Audit of internal systems for major companies.  It is good and very effective.