Microsoft releases Network Diagnostic Tool

Filed under: Internet, Utilities, Windows, Microsoft

Microsoft releases Network Diagnostic Tool

by Jason Clarke Jul 26th 2006

Microsoft has released a utility to assist users in determining the cause of networking problems. Called Network Diagnostics for Windows XP, the utility aims to make detecting networking problems easier for home users. Of course, in true Microsoft fashion, everything about installing and actually using it is confusing. You'll want to read the knowledge base article about it first, but even that is less than spectacular.

Here's what you need to know. When you download it (after jumping through the Windows Genuine "Advantage" hoops, grr) and go to run it, it will identify itself as a "hotfix". It's not a hotfix, it's a utility, but don't be alarmed if you see the word "hotfix".

Once you've got it installed, you'll probably wonder where the heck it is, as it doesn't show up in the Start menu or the Control Panel. At the bottom of the knowledge base article, it explains that the utility can be accessed via Internet Explorer's Tools menu, under "Diagnose Connection Problems..." (of course, why didn't I think of that!?), or run manually by clicking Start, Run, typing %windir%\network diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe, and then clicking OK.

Perfectly user friendly, no?

Tags: microsoft, network diagnostics, NetworkDiagnostics, windows xp, WindowsXp

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

dennis said 5:44PM on 7-26-2006

wow.. you want some cheese with that whine?

theres a REASON it was called a "hotfix", it wasnt meant to be a user friendly application that sits in your start menu. its meant to be a "hotfix" for IE, like an addon and as a supplement for support techs.

it is clearly NOT intended for the average user, they even mention themselves in the description:

"Typically you will do this along with a support professional, either on the phone or over the internet."

look, im all over for microsoft bashing where its due.. but gimme a break. this is just bashing for the sake of bashing...

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