If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a system administrator, you probably feel like your work is never done. So, the larger the system, the more of that work that probably needs to be done regularly too. And, no matter what kind of operating system you depend on,\u00c2\u00a0 so troubleshooting is usually required to resolve problems involving them. For those working with Windows 7, the following command line functions will make this that much easier to do.<\/p>\n
The System File Checker is invaluable for ridding your computer of some very malicious forms of software. What sometimes happens is that this type of software ends up in your system with the goal of replacing core system files with altered versions. So, these versions will then take control of your entire system.<\/p>\n
You can use the System File Checker to verify the legitimacy of the Windows system files. So, if you find that any of them are missing or otherwise corrupted, the System File Checker will automatically replace them.<\/p>\n
Another extremely helpful way to verify the legitimacy of a system is by making sure that all its files have been digitally signed. To accomplish this, just use the File Signature Verification tool, which can be launched from the command line using GUI interface.<\/p>\n
Once it runs, the verification tool will report which files have been signed and which ones haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t. And in general, all of your files should definitely be digitally signed. However, some hardware manufacturers don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t sign their driver files.<\/p>\n
Your system can wind up with all kinds of problems thanks to incorrect device drivers. Fortunately, the driverquery command line function can show you which ones are installed on a Windows 7 system. On top of that, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll get lots of information about the various drivers being used.<\/p>\n
If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d like a bit more information, just add on the \u00e2\u20ac\u201cv switch. You can also add the \u00e2\u20ac\u201csi switch, which will cause the tool to display the drivers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 signature data. Those two options are:<\/p>\n
driverquery -v<\/p>\n
driverquery \u00e2\u20ac\u201csi<\/p>\n
nslookup<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
If you want to check to see that the DNS name resolution is working correctly, the nslookup tool is the perfect solution. Run it against a hostname and nslookup will show you which DNS server it used for the process and, of course, how the name was resolved.<\/p>\n
One reason a lot of people use nslookup is to troubleshoot issues having to do with DNS records that are still around but are no longer accurate.<\/p>\n
To use this command, just be sure to put the name of the host after \u00e2\u20ac\u0153nslookup.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ping<\/h2>\n
Of all the diagnostic commands available, ping might be the simplest. Its purpose is to help verify general TCP\/IP connectivity to a network host. After entering the command, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153ping\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, put in the IP address of the host you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re trying to test.<\/p>\n
Keep in mind that if there is a firewall blocking ICMP traffic, this command line function will fail. You can only use it if ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) traffic is allowed to go between two different machines.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
pathping<\/h2>\n
Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s say the ping test does fail, either because of a lack of ICMP connectivity or some other reason. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be left without an answer regarding why the failure occurred.<\/p>\n
To move forward, use \u00e2\u20ac\u0153pathping\u00e2\u20ac\u009d plus the IP address in question. This command line function was made for environments where at least one router between hosts exists. It does this by sending a number of packets to any of the routers available and monitoring if any of them perform slowly or drop them.<\/p>\n
So, with the above command line functions, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll have easier time troubleshooting issues related to Windows 7. Here at ServerPronto, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re always available to help too.<\/p>\n