Have you ever wondered what the cryptic scribblings in the lower right-hand corner of your desktop are? Well, sit back and I’ll tell you a story about…
BGInfo
BGInfo is a program that displays information about Brent Gerzema’s computer. As the mother goat said, I kid.
BGInfo is a program that displays information about your computer that technicians may require when troubleshooting. We have set this to show the Host Name, which allows us to quickly know which asset and office you are using. This information stays the same, and will be used by a person submitting a work order request.
Below you will find some network information, the IP Address and the MAC Address. The IP Address is usually a dynamic number, and will change depending on which office or network you are connected to.
Not to break the rhythm of this blog, but some things are just too funny not to share. It turns out that Brent is blogging on BGInfo, too! Rather than having 2 blogs about nearly the same thing, or a steel cage match where two blogs enter, 1 blog leaves…we are going to try this new thing they call “teamwork”. So now, without further adieu, heeerrreeesss Brenty!
On occasion, the IP address information will be displayed as 0.0.0.0. This can happen for a number of different reasons, but in some cases BGInfo has run prior to your computer’s connection to the network, and the user actually has obtained a valid IP address.
To refresh BGInfo click Start> Programs> Startup, and click the Shortcut to run icon. This should change the 0.0.0.0 address to a valid IP address (i.e. 10.147.24.1). If the address does not change, you have not connected to your network and you will need to submit a work request order so a computer technician can further assist you.
The MAC Address is a unique, static number. Some networks that you may want access to will require this for their security settings, but it will be a rarity.
There are also times when BGInfo does not reference the configuration file correctly, and spills an impressive and unwanted amount of information on the desktop. This is easily removed by following Brent’s previous instructions on refreshing BGInfo.
And thus ends another wondrous tale of technology. Feel free to send compliments to Nicholas Schelle, and complaints to Brent Gerzema.
