Is it possible to log hardware changes on XP?

[gejzik]

There have been a RAM changed on PC with Windows XP few weeks ago and I need to know the time it happened and previous memory module capacity.

Is XP logging information like this?

[Scarecrow Man]

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/...ss/default.mspx

Although it only works for dates after it was installed, and it may be a bit of overkill for what you require, it should show hardware changes.

You can also skim through the event log and look for hardware changes.

[gejzik]

Thanks for the tip but Steady State would help only if installed before. It won't be needed in future, as I hope.

I was looking into the Event Log but I think hardware changes aren't stored there, or am I mistaken? If so, which type of event have I to look for.

I also tried to go through *.log files all over the harddisk but nothing useful was found.

I have been thinking about windows registry too. I didn't have a time to learn about it's structure in detail, I am going to look at it on weekend. Do you think I can find info about hardware changes there?

[Scarecrow Man]

I doubt you will see any logs about hardware changes. A quick google search shows a few scattered topics on the same subject, with no conclusion being found.

A Windows XP-based computer records events in the following three logs:

• Application log
  The application log contains events logged by programs. For example, a database program may record a file error in the application log. Events that are written to the application log are determined by the developers of the software program.
  
  
• Security log
  The security log records events such as valid and invalid logon attempts, as well as events related to resource use, such as the creating, opening, or deleting of files. For example, when logon auditing is enabled, an event is recorded in the security log each time a user attempts to log on to the computer. You must be logged on as Administrator or as a member of the Administrators group in order to turn on, use, and specify which events are recorded in the security log.
  
  
• System log
  The system log contains events logged by Windows XP system components. For example, if a driver fails to load during startup, an event is recorded in the system log. Windows XP predetermines the events that are logged by system components.
  

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427

[gejzik]

Well, it seems I won't find what I am searching for. I will try the registry but I doubt it will help.

Many thanks for your time and tips anyway.