New Utility from myself (shaneturner12) - PC Information Application

Just a note to say thanks for your new utility.

Do you have a recommendation for the minimum REASONABLE computer and video card for Trainz? I've found the minimum and recommended platforms for TS2009, but I can't find the equivalent for TS 2010 or the new 12.

It might be cool if your app indicated a 'grade' or pass/fail mark on the suitability of the tested PC for trainz.

Cheers.

If you need to compare a system with your own, this is nowhere near gaming spec but runs Ts2010 adequately
http://rog.pynguins.com/content/item/Computer Spec
Rog
 
An update has been made to the utility.

The utility can now identify the build for each Trainz version you have installed.

NOTE: If you are running Windows Vista or 7, and you have Trainz installed in Program Files or Program Files (x86) you must run my utility as administrator to find these versions. This is due to security restrictions in these folders.

The program can still be found on my tutorial website - link is in the first post in this thread.

This may be useful to TRS2006 users as they can now find out their build number without launching the application.

Shane
 
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The download page for this utility on your web site mentioned that something called "Smartfilter" will attempt to block the installation of the utility.

The same also applies to Norton 360 - after downloading the utility it was automatically scanned and then deleted by Norton 360 which reported that it contained a virus called "WS.Reputation.1"

Peter Ware
 
I've been having several issues lately with Norton programs removing my software for no apparent reason.

Now I have the required information, I can try and stop this issue.

Thankyou for letting me know about this.

Shane

EDIT: I have submitted a false positive report to Symantec, and am awaiting a response.
 
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Norton 360, the PC Security option, automatically scans every file I download. Until today it would give a pop-up window above the system data/clock with a tick of approval if the file passed the scan. Today it rejected its first download (your utility) on two download attempts with a warningmessage and a notice that the file had been deleted (no option given for me to choose).

Here is the detailed report it produced.

Full Path: d:\downloads\pcinformationapplication.exe
____________________________
____________________________
On computers as of:
28/11/2011 at 7:18:47 AM
Last Used:
28/11/2011 at 7:58:30 AM
Startup Item:
No
Launched:
No
____________________________
____________________________
Very Few Users
Fewer than 5 users in the Norton Community have used this file.
____________________________
Medium
This file risk is medium.
____________________________
Threat Details
Threat type: Insight Network Threat. There are many indications that this file is untrustworthy and therefore not safe
____________________________
Origin
Downloaded from http://shaneturner12.awardspace.co.uk/trainzdata/PCInformationApplication.exe
http://shaneturner12.awardspace.co.uk/trainzdata/PCInformationApplication.exe Downloaded File pcinformationapplication.exe
(WS.Reputation.1) from: awardspace.co.uk


pcinformationapplication.exe
____________________________
File Actions
File: d:\downloads\pcinformationapplication.exe
Removed
____________________________
File Thumbprint - SHA:
1128d979705390f2330f5837619337a5c449dedd7b6080458dbc090e7ac4db8b
____________________________
File Thumbprint - MD5:
d5fa1e36fb7b15361aac3948ac77f90f
____________________________

Peter Ware
 
Some good news for users running Norton software who wish to use my application.

Symantec have reviewed my enquiry/false positive report (with the additional report information from pware) and have identified it as a false positive.

This means that the detection of my program should no longer happen after the next day or two when the relevant definition is downloaded.

Thanks goes to pware for providing me with the essential information to be able to do this.

Shane
 
Shane,

I regret to inform you that my latest attempt to download your utility was still blocked by Norton 360 with identical reasons given as before.

I manually updated the Norton 360 definitions before trying again with identical results.

Peter Ware
 
That's odd. Norton came back to me and said the detection was removed.

I will get straight back onto them and try and find out what's going on.

It may be due to a small update I had to do a couple of days ago.

Thankyou for letting me know.

Shane

EDIT: I have submitted a whitelist request to Symantec to allow the program to be used, but it may take a few weeks for it to be confirmed.
 
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G'day Shane,

Just tried out your PC utility, and it works just geat.

One request, would it be possible, in a future reincarnation of the program to allo the to determine the font size and the bakground colour?
The reason I ask is because I am severely vision impaired and need a rather large font size in order to be able to read anything on the screen, and the white background colour is a bit blinding to me, I use a soft green bakhround as my system colours as this is more gentle on my eyes.
I am sure that I am not the only one who has these problems.

Have a good one,
E.C.
 
It may be due to a small update I had to do a couple of days ago.

My hypothesis:

It appears that Norton generates a unique CRC value (called an MD5) based on file size, byte sequences, etc for each product it assesses as safe. By changing your product it no longer matched its MD5 value so was rejected.

From the Norton Glossary:
MD5 hash

RSA Data Security, Inc. MD5 Message-Digest Algorithm: A one-way function that produces a unique 128-bit value. MD5 hashing transforms information and produces a value that it cannot be changed back into its original form. This method is used for encrypted authentication (for example, verifying passwords or authenticating applications).
 
I will have a look into that.

Be aware though that any font size changes will affect the layout of the program.

Shane

EDIT: Any updates will take a few weeks before they are available, thanks to Symantec/Norton, who seem to think my program should be blocked, and make me fill in forms to get it whitelisted.

EDIT EDIT: If any users are wondering what update I was referring to a post or two ago, the program can now identify (to a reasonable extent) whether a graphics card is integrated or dedicated.
 
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Having trouble installing Direct X to run Trainz 12. My data is:

PC Information Report
Generated using PC Information Application by Shane Turner
System Information

System Manufacturer:Dell Inc.
System Model:OptiPlex 745
System Type:X86-based PC

Operating System Information

Operating System Name:Microsoft Windows XP Professional|C:\WINDOWS|\Device\Harddisk0\Partition1
Build:2600(Multiprocessor Free)
Service Pack:3.0
Status: OK

Memory Information

Total/Free Physical Memory (in GB):1.99/1.16

Graphics Card Information

Graphics Cards Found:0


Processor Information

Number of Logical Processors: 2
Processor:Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6600 @ 2.40GHz
Current Clock Speed:2.39 Ghz
Maximum Clock Speed:2.39 Ghz
External Clock Speed (If present):1.07 Ghz
Processor Type:32 Bit
Processor Status:OK
Processor information can be affected by power management and certain processor features.

DirectX and Drive Information

Detected DirectX version: (This may not match any expected values) 4.09.00.0904
Drive Information:
Drive C:\ : 153.73GB Free ( 232.82 GB Capacity after formatting)
Drive F:\ : 245.59GB Free ( 298.09 GB Capacity after formatting)

Keep receiving message:
Internal system error occured.
refer to dx error log. and directx.log in your windows folder.

Cannot find any references to the above and/or doing a system search.
Any ideas.
Thanks
Charlie
 
OK. The two .log files mentioned should both be in the C:/Windows folder, but they may be hidden. The process to show these is:

1.Click Tools, then Options.
2.Click View.
3.Somewhere in that section will be a selection for 'Show hidden files and folders' - make sure this is selected, then click OK.

Which method of installing DirectX are you using? (as per my sticky)

Shane
 
direct X problem

Thanks for the prompt reply.

Hidden files was already checked.

was trying to install the latest, i guess it is # 10
 
There is no official DX10 for Windows XP it's for Vista upwards only, latest for XP is directX 9c which is what Trainz requires.

If you have tried to install DX10 or the dodgy hacked version for XP which is not from Microsoft and may well break your existing DirectX, that probably explains the error.
 
clam1952 is correct. XP users should not attempt to install dx10. Use the advice in my sticky thread in this forum to update.

Shane
 
How look my system?

PC Information Report
Generated using PC Information Application by Shane Turner
System Information
System Manufacturer:Hewlett-Packard
System Model:p7-1012
System Type:x64-based PC
Operating System Information
Operating System Name:Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium |C:\Windows|\Device\Harddisk0\Partition2
Build:7601(Multiprocessor Free)
Service Pack:1.0
Status: OK
Memory Information
Total/Free Physical Memory (in GB):3.75/2.41
Graphics Card Information
Graphics Cards Found:1
Graphics Card 1
Graphics Card:ATI Radeon 3000 Graphics
Dedicated Memory:256.00MB
Driver Version:8.871.0.0
Date of current driver:20110627000000.000000-000
Video Memory:0.25 GB (256.00 MB)
Processor Information
Number of Logical Processors: 2
Processor:AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 220 Processor
Current Clock Speed:1.60 Ghz
Maximum Clock Speed:2.80 Ghz
External Clock Speed (If present):0.20 Ghz
Processor Type:64 Bit
Processor Status:OK
Processor information can be affected by power management and certain processor features.
DirectX and Drive Information
Detected DirectX version: (This may not match any expected values) 4.09.00.0904
Drive Information:
Drive C:\ : 410.17GB Free ( 454.52 GB Capacity after formatting)
Drive D:\ : 1.36GB Free ( 11.15 GB Capacity after formatting)





Let me know,


NKP
 
Hi NKP,

It looks like your processor speed is being restricted by Windows' power management.

According to another source on the Internet, your graphics card is an integrated one, and as a result may not perform as well with Trainz as a dedicated one would. (Also, the driver is out of date - check if there are any later ones)

I've also noticed that your system is a 64-bit one. Do you have the 64-bit version of Windows installed? If so, you may be able to add more memory to the system.

Shane
 
I have now created a video tutorial on how to download and run the program, including which button to click to copy the report information to the clipboard, from where it can be pasted into a new post.

This can be found at the bottom of the System Info Utility page on my tutorial website.

If you have trouble viewing parts at the bottom, scroll down the page until you can see it.

(Browser used is IE9, but other browsers should work similar)

Shane
 
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