can PHP can client's computer info?

shelbytll

Hi,
I wonder can PHP do things like get client's computer information such as the computer Bios and Pentium what etc etc?

stolzyboy

nope

Mordecai

No, PHP is server-side, and thus, cannot get any client information unless it is sent. The only thing that would be even slightly close is the user-agent: $_SERVER["HTTP_USER_AGENT"]

You can, however, get this information about the server. Check phpinfo() if you want a list of all the environment variables (i.e. $_ENV["PROCESSOR_IDENTIFIER"]).

shelbytll

so I guess the only thing is to use Java right?

jimson

java and javascript is a two different things...

use javascript for ur problem.

shelbytll

Oh so simple javascript can get client's computer system information huh....

Mordecai

You won't be able to get that sort of information with JavaScript, to my knowledge. I don't think it's available to most browsers, as it could be a security issue.

Norman_Graham

You could get this kind of information using ActiveX controls (Windows only) and there my be other ways. Certainly no web-scripting language will do this.

I suggest you don't bother - this is exactly the type of privacy intrusion which keeps Microsoft in the headlines week after week.

If you want this kind of information, make a form and ask the user for it. If they don't want to give it, then that's their choice.

Norm

shelbytll

Hi,
I've been to an IBM web site. simply click on a button and they will know some of my computer information and they will provide information such as should I upgrade my bios or not this kind of thing. I'm from the IT department and my boss hope to implement this kind technology to our customer so that we can advise them what to upgrade with just a click...

I was thinking how the IBM website did it.
Maybe like u say, ActiveX.

Weedpacket

I remember someone saying that Symantec's site did this, too. Turned out that they had a slew of Symantec's packages installed and one of them was providing the information to the site.

Where is this button you're referring to? I'd like to see what it says about my machine.

shelbytll

ok let me check it out from my boss first...

jimson

me too, what to see what the IBM says about this IBM clone box ... 🙂

i am illegal ... man... 🙂

dopp

How it probably works (Microsoft switched to something like this during the Windows Update Controversy) is that IBM makes the client download a catalog which is then compared client-side, not server-side, then the clientside chooses what is displayed and what not. Don't ask me how it is done, but there's the general (peobably too simplified method).

shelbytll

Hi, the url is at ibm.com.sg and then download and support link.
I realised that it prompt me to download "Business Access Support". That must be the activex control.

Anyway, thanks.