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Apple System Profiler 2 (ASP) provides an extensive overview of the hardware and software installed in a Macintosh computer. This article briefly discusses several practical uses for this utility.
DISCUSSION
- Many of the hardware and software configuration details reported by Apple System Profiler either cannot easily be obtained by other means, or would require time-consuming examination of the existing hardware and software. Apple System Profiler brings all this information together in one place.
- Apple System Profiler is non-intrusive--existing settings can only be viewed, not altered, thus preventing inadvertent changes.
- Profiles created with Apple System Profiler can be saved as documents and later reviewed in either Apple System Profiler or a word processor.
- A 256K level-2 cache module is installed ("external" because it is not part of the processor like a backside cache).
- Both memory banks shown (A1/B1 and A2/B2) are populated with memory modules of identical sizes, so memory interleaving is occurring on each bank. (Only specific computer models support interleaving.)
- Adding a single 32 MB DIMM instead of two 16 MB DIMMs would partially populate the third memory bank, A3/B3 (not shown, because it is empty), preventing interleaving on that bank, but leaving more slots available for future expansion.
- Apple System Profiler will describe the location and memory type differently depending upon the computer. The profile of an iMac, for example, would include "Top" and "Bottom" in its description of the RAM location.
- RAM soldered directly onto the logic board, if present, appears as "DRAM" under the "Memory type" column, instead of DIMM or SIMM.
- VRAM information may also be included, but only if the computer is a model for which this information can be accurately determined.
- The built-in serial port is active for PPP, confirming that a dial-up connection to an Internet Service Provider is either starting up or has completed and is currently underway. Otherwise, the "Active network port(s)" field would show the computer's normal configuration, such as "LocalTalk (printer) built-in," or "Ethernet PCI Slot [E1]." Note that there is a difference between successfully completing a dialup connection to a PPP server and actually having access to network services (the web, email, and so forth). For that, the TCP/IP control panel must be configured correctly, as well as the server that hosts the internet connection.
- An IP address has been assigned to this computer. Every computer must have an IP address in order to access the internet. Once a successful dial-up connection has been achieved and the IP address known, a computer support technician or network administrator could use special software to "ping" that address to confirm that the computer is in fact online. A missing IP address would indicate either that the TCP/IP control panel is not configured correctly, or TCP/IP has not loaded. To ensure that TCP/IP is loaded when checking this section, open your web browser before opening Apple System Profiler.
Overview: Key Benefits Of Using Apple System Profiler
A saved profile provides an ideal hardware and software overview for those who either want to maintain an archival or printed record, such as those performing site inventories or audits, or are unable to examine the system personally, such as an offsite computer support technician.
A profile saved when a computer is working well can serve as a guide to restoring that hardware and software configuration should later changes introduce problems. The "Extensions" section of a saved profile, for example, could be used to determine whether any extensions were added after installing a program, or whether any of the existing extensions were replaced with different versions.
Computer support technicians often hear users wonder why two supposedly identical systems don't behave identically. Apple System Profiler helps reveal some of the differences not always apparent, such as that one system has virtual memory turned on, or AppleTalk, or File Sharing; or one has a different RAM configuration, or lacks a level-2 cache, or is using a PCI video card instead of built-in video. Maybe some of those extensions, control panels, or applications that look the same are actually of different versions. The differences between supposedly identical disk drives and other devices is also revealed--different vendors, model numbers, driver versions, and firmware revisions. Apple System Profiler makes these kinds of comparisons easy.
To save an Apple System Profiler report, open Apple System Profiler, then choose "New Report" from the File menu. Specify the information to be included in the report, as shown, then click "OK."
Figure 1: A New Report window.
In order to maintain the document's graphical appearance when opened in Apple System Profiler, click the "Apple System Profiler Document" button in the profile window:
Figure 2: "View Report" window.
Then choose "Save" from the File menu. Word processors that can open an Apple System Profiler document will always open it as a tab-delimited file. Only Apple System Profiler can open saved profiles in their original graphical form, and only when saved as Apple System Profiler documents.
Need A Hint? Turn On Balloon Help
Apple System Profiler provides some additional assistance in the form of Balloon Help. Choose "Show Balloons" from the Help menu, then point to an item in the profile window. Balloon Help works with menu commands as well. Not all items have Balloon Help descriptions.
Figure 3: Balloon Help.
Memory Overview
With Apple System Profiler, obtaining specific information about the built-in memory no longer requires opening the computer to visually inspect the memory modules and their sometimes cryptic markings. For each memory module installed, Apple System Profiler shows its size, type, and the location of the memory slot it occupies.
Figure 4: Memory information.
The user of the Power Macintosh 8500 profiled here, for example, learns that:
It is easy to see how this kind of information can save time and effort.
Notes
Hardware Overview
This information may appear self-evident to those, for example, who have maintained sole-ownership of the computer or are not in a school or corporate environment where computers change hands frequently. Apple System Profiler helps by identifying what the computer is now, after it may have had a logic board upgrade or a processor upgrade, or perhaps after having simply lost the model name sticker from the front of the computer. Note, however, that Apple System Profiler requires at least Mac OS 7.6 and a Power Macintosh to run.
Figure 5: Hardware overview.
Network Overview
Figure 6: Network information.
The information provided here may largely be of interest to network administrators, who will appreciate having these disparate settings organized in one place, but even those simply connecting to the internet with a modem may benefit from knowing that, as shown:
Devices & Volumes
Apple System Profiler provides a wealth of information about accessible internal or external hardware. This can be especially useful when it isn't clear what hardware devices are present.
Figure 7: Device information.
The "Revision number" can be used to distinguish drives of different firmware revisions. Though it is uncommon, software patches are occasionally released to address bugs discovered in the firmware of specific drive revisions. Being able to determine whether the installed hard drive is among those affected can save time.
Because driver-related issues (wrong driver, bad driver, missing driver) can render the devices they control unavailable to normal use, Apple System Profiler's ability to probe for devices can be a useful means of confirming that the device is at least logically present.
Perhaps it is not known what kind of expansion hardware is present in a computer. It would be hard to know that a QuickDraw 3D Accelerator card is installed, for example, without either opening the computer or using Apple System Profiler. Apple System Profiler will examine every possible internal and external expansion hardware location when compiling its reports.
In addition, the graphical layout of this section diagrams the order and location of connected devices. This can be especially useful when troubleshooting a large USB chain, for example. Note that ASP shows the USB version number, and the USB devices that are recognized. They are displayed graphically to reflect the connection hierarchy.
Production Information
Not all Macintosh computers will include the serial number and original software bundle part number, but having this information available here can save searching for the bar code label on the computer, which isn't always in the most accessible place. If the hard drive has ever been low-level formatted since it was first used, the serial number and software bundle information will not appear.
ASP 2.1.2 now shows the Boot ROM version and the Mac OS ROM file version.
Figure 8: Product information.
Distinguishing Between Apple Software And Third Party Software
The information shown for Applications, Extensions, and Control panels is similar in format except that "Enabled" isn't a column appearing in the Applications pane. With this information, users can quickly isolate Apple software from third party software, plus determine at a glance what version is in use. The task of resolving software conflicts relies heavily upon ensuring that the right version, or most up-to-date version, of the software is in use. Remember, however, that Apple System Profiler cannot modify existing settings, so it is not possible to enable or disable software with it.
Figure 9: Extensions information.