This document provides some frequently asked questions about Sandra. Please read the Help File as well!
Q: What does Sandra stand for?
A: It stands for System ANalyser, Diagnostic and Reporting Assistant.
Q: What is this crazy double-versioning scheme? Can you explain it?
Q: The complete version string contains 4 numbers, in the form a.b.c.d (e.g. 2001.4.8.7), where:
Q: In addition to the versioning, you also append 2 characters (e.g. 2001se) at the end of the release year, why?
A: This is done to differentiate more strongly between versions released in the same year. The letters denote:
Q: Does (for example) Sandra 2000 require Windows 2000 (and so on)?
A: Not really, but recommended. You should not use lower versions of Sandra on higher versions of Windows (e.g. don't use Sandra 99 on Windows 2000) but you should be able to use higher versions of Sandra on lower versions of Windows.
Q: I read somewhere that Sandra was packaged along with the full version of Windows 98. I've checked my CD but see no indication.
A: No, Sandra has not been bundled with Windows... yet. (no we haven't made this up - this question is genuine)
Q: Windows XP installer asks for Sandra to be uninstalled before proceeding! Is this valid?
A: This refers to older versions of Sandra. Make sure you're using at least Sandra 2001se (7.5x).
Q: Now that Windows will be called "XP" what will Sandra be called?
A: Sandra BS - i.e. B*** S*** (answers on a postcard, please).
Q: Isn't a name like Sandra daft for a program? Whatever possessed you to choose such a name?
A: It's supposed to be an acronym. Well, we did "stretch" it a bit to make it sound better. This is not the first program to have a female name, remember Apple Lisa, Miranda, Microsoft Mum, Brenda, etc. There are more...
Have a look at these alternative names suggested (by users):
Q: Should I call Sandra "it" or "her" (or
"him")?
A: If that's your only problem then you're lucky…
Q: Can I get Sandra's source code for free?
A: No.
Q: Will you be releasing the code for Sandra as Samantha/Jemima take over?
A: No.
Q: I have some DOS system analyzer which shows way more information than Sandra. Why can't you do that?
A: Well, ask them why they haven't written a Windows version yet. Win32 programming is even harder and you can't do what you want like in DOS. Some stuff is just not relevant in Windows. Also, quite a few Windows analyzers are still 16-bit, Sandra is not.
On the other hand, a DOS analyzer could be better than a Windows analyzer if you check/test hardware at low-level. To check the Win16 sub-system a 16-bit analyzer could do better, too. The choice is yours.
Q: I have (e.g. Norton Utilities, CA Utilities, Nuts & Bolts, etc.) and I think that their sys info (e.g. Norton SI/32, Discover Pro) is much better. Can't you do better than that?
A: If we could, some software company (Microsoft, Symantec) would have snapped us up a long time ago… However, we do think that Sandra does things that SI does not do, but overall it can't compete. Also remember that NU is a package and not a stand-alone product. Seen anything you like?
Q: What's the best overall information tool in your opinion?
A: Must be Discover Pro from Nuts & Bolts (former Hurricane). While memory compression programs are utter crap, it has the best diagnostic tool we've ever seen. Pity it is still 16-bit.
Q: I think that MS-Info is better than Sandra.
A: Are you a troll? No way!
Q: God! When Sandra crashes it takes Windows (even NT/200X!) with it. Where's the robustness I've read/heard so much about?
A: Well, we always say that if you do something, you
might as well do it properly… On a serious note, things are
getting very complicated down here, so watch out…
Q: Any interesting sayings?
A: There you go: