Computer hardware and software diagnostic and report system

Abstract

The present invention tests computer systems for defects that are able to cause performance and functional problems. An agent application is first installed on a user's system. The agent application then retrieves problem data from the expert system library pertinent to the user's operating environment. The agent application tests the user's system for each problem description within a downloaded data structure from the expert system library. If a problem is discovered, a script attempts to remediate the problem and/or notifies the user, describing the issue. If an unknown problem arises, a feedback mechanism expands the expert system library by sending a notification that a problem was discovered. The feedback is then utilized to increase the total knowledge in the expert system library. Then when another user with a similar or the same setup is tested, the agent application will recognize the issue and will take the appropriate remedial actions.

1 . A system for monitoring a computing device comprising:
 a. a plurality of programs for interacting with the computing device to gather information;   b. a plurality of scripts coupled to the plurality of programs for initiating the plurality of programs, wherein the plurality of scripts are stored within an expert system library on a memory device, wherein the system runs in the background of the computing device; and   c. a feedback mechanism for sending feedback to the expert system library, wherein the feedback mechanism expands the expert system library.   
     
     
         2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein interacting with the computing device further comprises:
 a. determining a setup of the computing device; 
 b. gathering information related to configuration of the computing device; and 
 c. analyzing the computing device. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of scripts are less complex than the plurality of programs. 
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of scripts return a condition status. 
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the condition status is a binary-type value. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of scripts run in a specified order. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a user interface coupled to the plurality of scripts for interacting with a user. 
     
     
         10 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a feedback mechanism for sending feedback to an expert system library. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a reporting mechanism to report one or more problems. 
     
     
         13 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of scripts are embedded within an extensible markup language (XML) structure. 
     
     
         14 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the computing device is selected from a group consisting of a personal computer, an Apple computer, a thin client, a laptop, a cell phone and a PDA. 
     
     
         15 . The system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein gathering information includes discovering one or more problems. 
     
     
         16 . A system for monitoring a computing device while running in the background of the computing device comprising:
 a. a plurality of programs for
 i. determining a setup of the computing device; 
 ii. gathering information related to configuration of the computing device; and 
 iii. analyzing the computing device for one or more problems; 
   b. a user interface coupled to the plurality of programs, the user interface for interacting with a user;   c. a plurality of scripts coupled to the plurality of programs and to the user interface for acting as an intermediary between the plurality of programs and the user interface, wherein each of the plurality of scripts return a condition status, wherein the plurality of scripts are stored within an expert system library on a memory device, wherein the system runs in the background of the computing device; and   d. a feedback mechanism for sending feedback to the expert system library, wherein the feedback mechanism expands the expert system library.   
     
     
         17 . The system as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the condition status is a binary-type value. 
     
     
         18 . The system as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the plurality of scripts are less complex than the plurality of programs. 
     
     
         19 . The system as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the plurality of scripts run in a specified order. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The system as claimed in  claim 16  further comprising a reporting mechanism to report the one or more problems. 
     
     
         24 . The system as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the plurality of scripts are embedded within an extensible markup language (XML) structure. 
     
     
         25 . The system as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the computing device is selected from a group consisting of a personal computer, an Apple computer, a thin client, a laptop, a cell phone and a PDA. 
     
     
         26 . A method of monitoring a computing device to gather information comprising:
 a. determining a setup of the computing device;   b. gathering information related to configuration of the computing device;   c. analyzing the computing device;   d. sending feedback to an expert system library stored on a memory device; and   e. expanding the expert system library using a feedback mechanism, wherein the method of monitoring is performed while running in the background of the computing device.   
     
     
         27 . The method as claimed in  claim 26  wherein analyzing the computing device further comprises querying the computing device for one or more problems. 
     
     
         28 . The method as claimed in  claim 26  further comprising initiating one or more remediation scripts if one or more problems are detected. 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The method as claimed in  claim 29  further comprising expanding the expert system library using the feedback mechanism. 
     
     
         31 . The method as claimed in  claim 26  further comprising reporting one or more problems. 
     
     
         32 . The method as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the computing device is selected from a group consisting of a personal computer, an Apple computer, a thin client, a laptop, a cell phone and a PDA. 
     
     
         33 . A method of monitoring a computing device to gather information comprising:
 a. determining a setup of the computing device;   b. gathering information related to configuration of the computing device;   c. analyzing the computing device;   d. reporting analysis on the computing device;   e. sending feedback to an expert system library stored on a memory device; and   f. expanding the expert system library using a feedback mechanism, wherein the method of monitoring is performed while running in the background of the computing device.   
     
     
         34 . The method as claimed in  claim 33  wherein analyzing the computing device further comprises querying the computing device for one or more problems. 
     
     
         35 . The method as claimed in  claim 33  further comprising initiating one or more remediation scripts if one or more problems are detected. 
     
     
         36 . The method as claimed in  claim 33  further comprising expanding the expert system library using a feedback mechanism. 
     
     
         37 . The method as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the computing device is selected from a group consisting of a personal computer, an Apple computer, a thin client, a laptop, a cell phone and a PDA.