@37 (Gargamel) It´s just an example. Smart people like you can adjust the IP range.
"How can you even compare your suggestion with today’s giveaway?":
It´s half of the program ;) and you learned something for life. Like me - now I know the meaning of smart*ss...

@32: For your daily WiFi network hunting, try Xirrus and maybe WeFi or inSSIDer. Take your pick from here:
https://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-wi-fi-network-finder-utility.htm
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/software/13130/12-downloads-to-super-charge-and-secure-wi-fi/

@Giovanni:
Zamzom.com does not have much info on the product your highlighted, and another link there took me to a suspicious site, so I would advise to steer clear of Zamzom and its products, until its provenance is known and reputation is improved.

@9, hmmm, my smartphone will connect to a network automatically every time it encounters one, without me having to click connect each time. If I had not assigned the MAC address to an IP address in the router, it would change IP addresses periodically.

In my case, withmultiple network disk drives, a ROKU, two OBI VOIP units, a VOIP phone and an HP Touchpad, all set up for DHCP, a program like this would be useful to me, if I didn't already have one that also maps how devices connect to each other. It was the original version of Ipswitch's What's Up.

#32 Brandon

Have a look out for inSSIDer (http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider/), which is a great tool for graphically displaying all nearby hotspots and their signal strength (if they are broadcasting their SSID.

@33 kilroy

Yes, windows changed drastically with XP - not for planned obsolescence, but, because the code was getting too buggy with all the carry-overs from 3.1 & DOS. XP and later are derived from WinNT ("New Technology") and are 'stand-alones' rather than an add-on for DOS. Just as you can't run 32bit Win98 code on 16bit Win3.1, you can't run NT class code on Win98 so supporting Win98 means coding for Win98 (and patching to run correctly on XP/Vista/7). Much easier to code for XP which *is* still in heavy use and then test and tweak for Vista/7...

Sew it says Mac and Windoes, it that corrent?

Install fails with:

msjro.dll fails to register with RedSvr32 exit code 0×5 error msg

the prompted retry also fails.

As mentioned previously in post 26.

@ 20

Have you installed an appy called "tinywall"? I did and it caused the same type of problems that you described. If you have installed it I suggest that you uninstall it (using revo or full uninstall etc.) and then try again. Just an idea...good luck!

When minimizing IP-Mac Scanner to the Systray, it annoyingly pops up a balloon which must be repeatedly dismissed.

When generating a "TOOLS > Generate an IP-Mac binding BAT file > from Scan list" (wow, handy -- I recently created a text file with this same info from a tedious cut-and-paste session using my router's user interface) it seems to randomly place the resulting ARP-S1.BAT file in random folders on my drive with no indication of where that was or with an offer to open that folder. I had to perform searches on my C: drive to find it each time.

Have not yet tried the remote shutdown, wake-on-LAN, or send message features yet, but they could come in handy in a home LAN setting (Kids, homework NOW!). I'm not expert enough to know if this can be done from outside the home LAN. It likely has no effect on an Xbox anyway -- too bad, or I could remotely enforce their homework time before arriving from work!

Under the DATABASE menu the word "bakcup" is misspelled. As I said, the user interface needs more work.

@27 Ian- Sometimes we don't comprehend fully what we read.
The question is "Did you find this comment useful? yes no "
Many of us interpret that to mean "Did this comment help your decision to download & try this G0TD?"
Some interpret it to mean "After downloading trying this G0TD did you find this project useful? yes no"

I read the comments to help me decide Pros & Cons before downloading and installing to save my time and prevent headaches.

IP-Mac Scanner functions OK for the installing account as far as I can tell during a quick trial. As usual, I used the administrator-privileged account on my XP SP3 Home machine.

The installation set up the Start Menu and Desktop shortcuts for All Users. However, the program will not launch in other non-admin accounts, even after re-booting/restarting the machine.

The HELP > CONTENTS link within the IP-Mac Scanner menu does nothing. However, a file HELP.CHM does exist within the Program Files/AthTek folder. As a work-around, create a shortcut for that file and place it in the folder "Start Menu > Programs > IP - Mac Scanner" so you can easily launch it.

Several links such as the Systray icon right-click "About", the application main window menu "HELP > About IP-Mac Scanner", and "HELP > Browse the latest version" all simply open your web browser to the product's online page rather than display version or user registration info as normally expected.

Seems OK -- I'm no expert in this field (try the link in my previous comment) -- but at least it needs somewhat more refinement to the user experience in its present incarnation.

I cant get it to work on my Windows 95 laptop. Any ideas?

I have a free alternative, you can write it in c# with something like this

ProcessStartInfo infos = new ProcessStartInfo("ipconfig.exe"," /ALL");
infos.WindowStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Hidden;
Process proc = Process.Start(infos);

I have a general violation access on my patched win3.11, I skip

@29:
Hey smart*ss, and what will this line do exactly? Ping hosts in the subnet of 192.168.188.0? Oh great! And what if, for example, someone's network is on the 192.168.1.0 network like 90% of the home networks do, how will your misleading information be of any help? How can you even compare your suggestion with today's giveaway?

Why would anyone us this type of software from a foreign company, just so their PC can be hacked?

#19 giovanni

Thanks for your list of free alternatives.

However, have you personally tried all those many titles you recommend? If so, which is best and in what ways?
How do they compare with today's offer?
Aside from costing nothing, what advantages do they have over IP – MAC Scanner, if any?
Have you installed and tried IP – MAC Scanner to know the difference?

Although I usually enjoy and sometimes learn from your comments, I also often think they serve to distract more people from actually trying out the GOTD titles and subsequently commenting on them, to the detriment of the developers who would have benefitted from learning of their shortcomings or of what they're doing right versus the competition.

I have listed alternatives myself on some occasions, so I'm not blameless -- mea culpa! But I try to at least link to pages with comparison reviews, comments or explanations/tutorials such as those at www.techsupportalert.com (possibly the "Best Free Network Analysis Tools" page) in the hope that GOTD visitors and software developers alike can gain some useful knowledge.

Unfortunately, I myself am not familiar with this category and so am unable to compare (and therefore comment) or review. But at least I'll be posting again shortly if there are any problems with the installation.

@ #5 #23 and #32 Windows 98? It's 2012 developers aren't going to support Windows 98 it was released as you might expect in 1998 that is 14 years ago. Guys, it is time to upgrade.

PA

just wondering, WHY it is that software folk no longer Support Win98. IS Microsoft forcing the programmed obsolescence by having Xp , and 7 & 8 radically different from 98, or is it doing it in a more underhanded way?

# 20 RichU - I experianced the same problem yesterday except a reboot didnt fix it, it just came back on and I wonder when its going to happen next.
The only thing I clicked on recently was Fixit!, a link provided by giovanni ( no offense giovanni, I love your posts.)
It said it was an online "Fix" but I had to download a zip file and when I opened the executable nothing happened and I now cant find it anywhere. I deleted the zip and scanned with Malwarebytes and Superantispyware but came up clean.
Ive been very suspicious about this and am going to do a Panda scan today.
Thank you all for your posts
willythewave

This thread is interesting and I'd like to learn more about the basics. We have an older Linksys router that has worked fine. I bought a wireless access point to be able to use w/my Denon stereo and iPod Remote app) but can't get it working after logging alot of time on the net looking for answers and testing diff suggestions out. So I guess I'm missing basic knowledge. If anyone knows of free web based reading/training about IPs and routers and mac addresses (101 type stuff), please include links here. Thanks much.

Scanning from the command line:

for /L %i in (1,1,255) do ping -a -n 1 192.168.188.%i >>result.txt

@23 have you looked at the requirements which are Windows XP (SP2 or later), Vista, 7;

Giveawayoftheday provides software of all types to users of all types with experience at all levels.

Is it too hard to see what is being given each day and deciding whether it could be of use to you? If it is something you would like to evaluate then download and install it.

If you get on with it and would like to keep it then give it a thumbs up. You don't need to make any comment.

If you don't like it then uninstall it.You don't need to make a comment unless there is something you are unsure of or something that other users may need advice on.

In my opinion a thumbs down should only be given if the software doesn't do what it claims to do. A user may only look at the thumbs ups and downs and decide it is not worth trying if there is a massive thumbs down figure. That thumbs down figure is probably inflated by users who have never tried the software, don't really know what the software does or don't need that type of software. Experienced users often give a thumbs down because the software is aimed at inexperienced users. If you think a giveaway is basic stuff aimed at new and inexperienced users please don't give a thumbs down. Every user has different levels of experience and is interested in different topics.

Most giveaway comments are suggesting alternative software that they feel is better than that days offering or cheaper. What is cheaper than the nothing you pay for Giveaway downloads? Perhaps at the side of the thumbs a third field could exist for users that think there is better software. They could click that which would take them to the forums where they could could offer their alternatives and say why they are better.

I think that the forums are underused. If they are given more prominence at the start of the home page they would be better used and could highlight the alternatives users have. Perhaps the top new postings in the forums together with the thread for alternatives to the days giveaway and special notices aimed at users.

I second (or third or fourth) the recommendation for SoftPerfect's free utility NetScan. it comes in a 32-bit and 64-bit version and is a single EXE so its as portable as portable gets. While today's giveaway has one or two interesting features not yet included in NetScan, the later is a much more useful, feature-rich, and intuitive tool for this type of task. (While you're at their site, check out their other free tool called NetWorx. It's become another essential tool in my SysAdmin Toolbox.)

not working on my win 98 se. no buy from me then...

Seems to work fine. Interesting, maybe even useful, but the help file is not functional. Only for "paying" customers, perhaps? Or is my install not working correctly?

#2 Leo - ipconfig /allcompartment /all --- for even more detail.

Todays program is maybe a fast way for a tech-dude to look at the network, but it is too expencive in the long run...

some free alternative programs:

http://www.angryip.org/w/Download
http://www.colasoft.com/products/freeware.php
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/fastresolver.html
http://free.windows9download.net/download/open-source-mac-address-scanner.html

A month or 2 ago, my computer suddenly started losing (apparently) its network connection around 8:00 PM eastern to around midnight. The little systray icon still says I have an internet connection, but I am unable to bring up a web page. I do not get a "not found" error, but rather just get a spinning progress wheel and an occasional time out message from Chrome. I have tried connecting through explorer, but no joy and I am also unable to see any pictures through Outlook 2010. Rebooting the modem and router does not seem to fix this, but rebooting the computer does. Win7 64 bit.
Question 1 is: has anyone else noticed this problem after downloading a program from GAOTD? I think I had recently downloaded and installed Sothink SWF Catcher when this started.
Question 2 is: will today's program perhaps help me to track down why I am losing my network connection.

# 1. Peter M

Still using the prehistoric Windows 98?? LOL....where do you live?

--------------------------------------------------------------------

As for today's giveaway to be honest I'm not particularly interested in such kind of programs since (unfortunately) I'm not a professional network administrator, but if you have a PC network and want to scan and manage information on every single workstation of it this software could be the right tool for you.

However, why pay 40 bucks for an app lik this GAOTD if you can do more or less the same things or even more for FREE using award-winning FREEWARE programs like these ones?

http://www.colasoft.com/capsa-free/
http://www.softperfect.com/products/networkscanner
http://www.softpedia.com/get/PORTABLE-SOFTWARE/Network/Portable-SoftPerfect-Network-Protocol-Analyzer.shtml
http://www.advanced-ip-scanner.com
http://www.paessler.com/prtg
http://www.eusing.com/ipscan/free_ip_scanner.htm
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Network-Tools/Network-Monitoring/CyD-NET-Utils.shtml
http://agatasoft.com/ping_utility.html
http://www.angryip.org/w/About

And to see who is really connected to your wifi connection:

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wireless_network_watcher.html
http://www.zamzom.com/index-3.html
http://home.comcast.net/~jay.deboer/airsnare

Enjoy!!

I can't believe how in earth would someone pay $43 dollars for this software...

Here's some FREE alternatives..

Angry IP Scanner (Free,Open-Source,also for MAC&Linux)
http://www.angryip.org

Eusing Free IP Scanner
http://www.eusing.com/ipscan/free_ip_scanner.htm

FamaTech Advanced IP Scanner
http://www.advanced-ip-scanner.com/

iEverything devices and android phones will not connect automatically unless you have them set up to connect automatically, I know this because I have a wireless connection and an Iphone, Ipod and an Android phone plus other wireless gadgets and they don't connect on auto unless I allow them too, so I'm not sure why some are saying that they connect without human interaction, as for today's giveaway, not something I need this time around.

@wired, #13:

Still krypto, #9 is right, because you configured your android device to automatically connect to the WIFI-hotspot it remembers and encounters.
It will still not connect to WIFI when it did not encounter this WIFI before or when it did encounter this WIFI before when it was not MANUALY set to autoconnect and remember.

So only after manually setting to remember and autoconnect it will connect, a human action was needed although being on a differnt time in your case.

@Ccrazed, #11:

I'm sure wireshark is not the same as IMScanner, in fact wireshark is a whole lot more. But functionallity from IMscanner can be found in wireshark aswell. I think that was the reason for naming wireshark.

Seriously, I've used ScriptLogic SL360 for years. It's free for commercial use, does managed switch port mapping, Cisco config editing, Port and IP scanning, SNMP scans and walks, and much more.

It's now available from Dell, who bought Quest, who bought ScriptLogic...

http://www.quest.com/scriptlogic/ via sl360 under Helpdesk Management

@8
I am afraid you are wrong, once the initial setup is done, almost all modern wireless adapters will connect automatically when the device is switched on, with no user input, not even pressing a 'connect' button.

To say that having devices connected and downloading does not slow the internet down is ridiculous. Just one user downloading/uploading torrents without restriction can kill the connection completely for other users.

I agree that this program is of little use to the average user, but it does do what it says on the tin, so it gets a 'thumbs up'.

@8 krypto, iEverything devices and android phones look for wireless connections to attach to. An unsecured WiFi router is a magnet for them and they connect without human interaction. No need for human interaction of any kind, not even pressing a "connect" button.

Potentially useful but I don't need it at home and the terms and conditions prevent me using it at work where i could use it...

Why are people saying this does the same as ethereal and wireshark? It doesn't. All it is, is a simple scanner...ie quickly pings to see whats on the network.it is not a protocol analyser or packet sniffer or anything like that.

Look@Lan or fing are better and free alternatives to this, but to compare it to ethereal and wireshark is just ridiculously stupid.

I have been using Colasoft Mac Scanner for years. In the IT field there are multiple times it is useful. I may use this one just to see if it has a better interface and better export ability. For a home user, not too useful, but I use a mac scanner about once a week as an IT consultant.
I am going to see how this one looks and operates compared to that. And to suggest Wireshark, which is a packet sniffer to anyone that is not advanced in networking capabilities is a little silly. It is a complex program and takes a lot of effort to correclty interpret the results of all the packets as opposed to a quick list of layer three to layer two addresses.

@6
All modems and devices that have routing functionality have a DHCP table feature built-in if they offer a DHCP server. That table contains all devices connected to the network and some devices that have been recently connected to the network. Also, most of the time having a lot of devices connected to the internet doesn't slow down your access to the web by the amount of data these devices are downloading, it's the number of active connections that is slowing your own access down.

Not to mention your delusion that devices somehow connect to wireless networks automatically. No, that's not how it works. Even if you have 0 security on your wireless, no device will automatically connect to that network. Human interaction is always required, even if it's just to press a "connect" button. Point being, it's not automatic. If you need to rely on blocking mac addresses when your wireless becomes slow and you can't figure out how to un-connect your own wireless devices from your own network, then you shouldn't be giving any advice to anyone about any type of networks.

Better free alternatives:
- Check your router's status/settings page
- Wireshark ( http://www.wireshark.org/ )
- Rest of the features are included in your operating system

@#6 chris locke, thank you very for your post...it's very educational! honestly, i didn't understand all these things on networking until i've read from your post. keep up the good deed!

A comment on a comment:

@6. Chris "a laptop would have a unique MAC address for both the LAN card and the Wireless card."

Actually "a laptop would have different MAC addresses for the LAN card and for the wireless card" (I think).

Probably what you meant, Chris ;)

The usual run of comments from people not knowing what this does. ipconfig only shows your current IP configuration - it doesn't let you scan the network.

So, now we know what this program does - it scans your network for IP addresses and MAC addresses. What is the purpose of it? Is it useful for me? For the vast majority of users who just use their PCs for basic tasks, no. If you have a home network, while it may be useful in a "why isn't this working?" tinkering weekend, its not going to get used often.

If you have a wireless network, it can be surprising how quickly devices can attach themselves to it. Most people are getting tablets now, and laptops, WI consoles, smartphones - even fridges can be wireless so they can order your next carton of milk. They all connect and silently download, and its not until things start running slowly you realise how much traffic they're using and just how mnay devices you have.

Each device uses an 'IP address' which is a unique number identifying that equipment on your network. Each device also has a 'MAC address', which is a unique number identifying the actual network adapter - theoretically, each MAC address is unique, so a laptop would have a unique MAC address for both the LAN card and the Wireless card. IP addresses can change and are often dynamic, as they're normally only assigned on a network-by-network basis when needed. Armed with this information, you can identify what devices are connected to your network and some basic information about them - the manufacturer of the device, etc. Most routers allow you to block MAC addresses, so you can stop certain devices connecting.

Overall, this is a useful program to have tucked away, but its not going to get much use. Scanning a network is an interesting way to pass 5 minutes, but is much the same as working out how many cars are parked down the road - its not something you're going to want to do every evening.

Is this comment in the "ideas" box above correct; "MSWINSOC.OCX - installed is being older then the one on computer - can you include the latest version of that component"?
If it's true can I use the newer file already on my computer instead?

Wireless Network Watcher (Nirsoft) does very much the same and it is FREE

Single line commands are available in windows to accomplish this. Try typing "ipconfig" in the command window.

Absolutely useless software specially if one has to pay for it.

1. How is this different from Ethereal? Doesn't Ethereal do all of this and more for free?

2. Note: It doesn't work under Windows 98 (patched properly). I get a arcane DLL error.