How to Create a WinMSD Report

ID: Q232848

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0

SUMMARY

Windows NT Diagnostics, also known as WinMSD, is a utility used to gather detailed configuration information about computers running Windows NT. It can be beneficial for Microsoft Support Professionals to use this information to troubleshoot issues. End users can also use this utility to record current configuration information on each of their computers for archival purposes. WinMSD can be run from the graphical user interface (GUI) or at an MS-DOS command prompt.

MORE INFORMATION

WinMSD usage:


winmsd [\\computername] [/a /s /f /p]
/a  Causes a complete system report to be generated
/s  Causes a summary system report to be generated
/f  Causes the system report to be sent to a file
/p  Causes the system report to be send to the current printer

If you run the utility from the command prompt without switches, a GUI appears, which has multiple tabs that allow you to view specific information. The default tab is the Version tab, which indicates the version, service pack, and serial number.

WinMSD can be run from a command prompt or from the Start Menu.

For troubleshooting purposes, a common command would be:

winmsd /a /f

This queries the local computer and creates a text file (computername.txt) in the current directory.

Another common usage is:

winmsd \\computername /a /f

This queries a remote computer (computername) and creates a text file (Computername.txt) in the current directory.

To use the GUI version:

From the Start menu, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Windows NT Diagnostics.

Click Print.

Set the following option:
Scope = All Tabs, Detail Level = Complete, Destination = File

You can name and locate the file anywhere you wish.

Additional query words: winnt 4.0 winmsd msd windows diagnostic report

Keywords : kbtool
Version : winnt:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbhowto