values for Windows version (dwMajorVersion, wServicePackMajor stuff)

[crystal160]

i am working with these,

dwMajorVersion
dwMinorVersion
dwBuildNumber
dwPlatformId
wServicePackMajor
wServicePackMinor

1) So, dwMinorVersion (1) could only be Windows XP and dwMajorVersion
(6) could only be Windows Vista or Windows Server

2008?

2) So, if I had dwMinorVersion (1) and wServicePackMajor (1) that
could only be Windows XP SP1?

3) So, if I had dwMinorVersion (1) and wServicePackMajor (2) that
could only be Windows XP SP2?

4) Would dwMajorVersion (6) and wServicePackMajor (1) be possible?

Thank you. I am hoping these scattered questions will help me
understand this.

Crystal

 

[Andrew McLaren]

i am working with these,
dwMajorVersion
dwMinorVersion
dwBuildNumber
dwPlatformId
wServicePackMajor
wServicePackMinor
1) So, dwMinorVersion (1) could only be Windows XP and dwMajorVersion
(6) could only be Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008?
2) So, if I had dwMinorVersion (1) and wServicePackMajor (1) that
could only be Windows XP SP1?
3) So, if I had dwMinorVersion (1) and wServicePackMajor (2) that
could only be Windows XP SP2?
4) Would dwMajorVersion (6) and wServicePackMajor (1) be possible?

Hi Crystal,

It sounds like a trick question . You're saying, in effect: "I want to
examine a subset of my OSVERSIONINFOEX struct, and extrapolate the value of
other OSVERSIONINFOEX fields based on this subset". That's always going to
be risky programming: basically, it's trying to conjure information out of
thin air.

I suspect that dwMajorVersion (6) and wServicePackMajor (1) will certainly
be possible and common, once Service Pack 1 for Vista has been released.

dwMinorVersion (1) and wServicePackMajor (1) could easily prove to be an
as-yet unnanounced version of Windows like Vista R2 SP1, or similar -
there's no gurantee it will always be limited to Windows XP SP1.

Likewise, dwMinorVersion (1) and wServicePackMajor (2) may end up equalling
both XP SP2 *and* Windows Server 2008 R2, SP2. We just don't know.

We already saw huge bugs in 3rd party applications for Windows 3.1, which
did:

if (MinorVersion < 10) {
Error("This program requires Windows 3.1");
}
Windows 95 required a special comptibility fix to let all these programs
run. The programs had no technical incompatibility with Windows 95; but they
refused to run because of their broken MinorVersion check. Meanwhile, users
blasted Microsoft for "breaking compatibility".

So, my question for you is: how are you getting these dwMajorVersion, etc
values? I'm assuming that you are calling GetVersionEx() or
VerifyVersionInfo(). If you call weither of thee functions you will get a
fully populated OSVERSIONINFOEX struct. This gives you all the information
you need to determine the exact version of Windows - even versions which
don't exist yet. So, what are you trying to achieve, by manipulating a
subset of this information? What resource are you trying to conserve, while
making you application more fragile and error prove in its version checking?

 

[crystal160]

So, my question for you is: how are you getting these dwMajorVersion, etc

values? I'm assuming that you are calling GetVersionEx() or
VerifyVersionInfo(). If you call weither of thee functions you will get a
fully populated OSVERSIONINFOEX struct. This gives you all the information
you need to determine the exact version of Windows - even versions which
don't exist yet. So, what are you trying to achieve, by manipulating a
subset of this information? What resource are you trying to conserve, while
making you application more fragile and error prove in its version checking?

Very Interesting! I think see what you mean....

I am indeed using GetVersionEx() to get the fully populated
OSVERSIONINFOEX.

So, based on this data, how can I pluck it to come to the conclusion I
am dealing with, 1) a Windows XP version less than Windows XP2, and 2)
a Windows Vista machine? I want to limit constraints to 1 & 2, so...
like server editions, Windows 2003 or whatnot should be ignored/not
identified. Can that be done?

Crystal

 

[Andrew McLaren]

I am indeed using GetVersionEx() to get the fully populated

OSVERSIONINFOEX.

So, based on this data, how can I pluck it to come to the conclusion I
am dealing with, 1) a Windows XP version less than Windows XP2, and 2)
a Windows Vista machine? I want to limit constraints to 1 & 2, so...
like server editions, Windows 2003 or whatnot should be ignored/not
identified. Can that be done?

Of course! The trick is that you must *never* make decisions based on
dwMinorVersion alone, without an explicit dwMajorVersion context for it.
Generally, you'd want to use dwMajorVersion and dwMinorVersion togther, to
make sure the version context is clear:

if ( osvi.dwMajorVersion == 6 && osvi.dwMinorVersion == 1 )
printf ("Gee, it must be Vista Service Pack 1!");

if ( osvi.dwMajorVersion == 6 && osvi.dwMinorVersion == 0 )
{
if( osvi.wProductType == VER_NT_WORKSTATION )
printf ("It is Windows Vista");
else printf ("It is Windows Server 2008" );
}

if ( osvi.dwMajorVersion == 5 && osvi.dwMinorVersion == 1 )
printf ("It is Microsoft Windows XP ");

if ( osvi.dwMajorVersion == 5 && osvi.dwMinorVersion == 0 )
printf ("It is Microsoft Windows 2000 ");

There are many code samples in MSDN, see here for a good starting point:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms724429.aspx

Hope it helps,

 

[crystal160]

if ( osvi.dwMajorVersion == 5 && osvi.dwMinorVersion == 1 )
printf ("It is Microsoft Windows XP ");

Ah! Very good and I do believe I have a clear understanding.

Just to verify, within the subset of Windows XP, am I right in my
logic below?

if ( osvi.dwMajorVersion == 5 && osvi.dwMinorVersion == 1 )
printf ("It is Microsoft Windows XP Home or Professional
SP1");

if ( osvi.dwMajorVersion == 5 && osvi.dwMinorVersion == 2 )
printf ("It is Microsoft Windows XP Home or Professional
SP2");

 

[Andrew McLaren]

Just to verify, within the subset of Windows XP, am I right in my
logic below?

if ( osvi.dwMajorVersion == 5 && osvi.dwMinorVersion == 1 )
printf ("It is Microsoft Windows XP Home or Professional
SP1");

if ( osvi.dwMajorVersion == 5 && osvi.dwMinorVersion == 2 )
printf ("It is Microsoft Windows XP Home or Professional
SP2");

No! No, no, no. That code will give you the wrong results.

(dwMajorVersion == 5 && dwMinorVersion == 1) includes *all* releases of
32-bit XP; including RTM, SP1, SP2; and SP3 when it finally ships.

(dwMajorVersion == 5 && dwMinorVersion == 2) is Windows Server 2003 R2,
Server 2003, or XP x64.

dwMinorVersion does not give you any information about Service Pack level.
It indicates the minor version, that is all. The Service Pack version is
indicated by wServicePackMajor and wServicePackMinor.

Did you look at the code sample in the URL I sent you? -
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms724429.aspx

Everything you need to know, is there.

if ( osvi.dwMajorVersion == 5 && osvi.dwMinorVersion == 1 )
{
printf ("It is Microsoft Windows XP Home or Professional ");
{
if ( osvi.wServicePackMajor == 0 )
printf ("with no Service Pack");
else if ( osvi.wServicePackMajor == 1 )
printf ("with Service Pack 1");
else if ( osvi.wServicePackMajor == 2 )
printf ("with Service Pack 2");
else printf ("unrecognised Service Pack");
}
}

You need to read and understand the MSDN documentation. That is more
reliable, than trusting random fools in newsgroups:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms724833.aspx

 

[purposegreen]

than trusting random fools in newsgroups

L0L, you don't seem like one

Finally, I want to ask,

please look at this:

if ( osvi.dwMajorVersion == 6 && osvi.dwMinorVersion == 1 )
printf ("Gee, it must be Vista Service Pack 1!");

Can one determine Windows Vista service pack releases the same way as
calculated with Windows XP?

so, like

if ( osvi.dwMajorVersion == 6 && osvi.dwMinorVersion == 1 )
{
printf ("It is Microsoft Windows Vista All Versions");
{
if ( osvi.wServicePackMajor == 0 )
printf ("with no Service Pack");
else if ( osvi.wServicePackMajor == 1 )
printf ("with Service Pack 1");
else if ( osvi.wServicePackMajor == 2 )
printf ("with Service Pack 2");
else if ( osvi.wServicePackMajor == 3 )
printf ("with Service Pack 3");
else if ( osvi.wServicePackMajor == 4 )
printf ("with Service Pack 4");
else printf ("unrecognised Service Pack");
}
}

It is slightly exaggerated, but will it work? I noted you have this:

if ( osvi.dwMajorVersion == 6 && osvi.dwMinorVersion == 0 )
{
if( osvi.wProductType == VER_NT_WORKSTATION )
printf ("It is Windows Vista");
else printf ("It is Windows Server 2008" );
}

Is above just an alternative way to get to the same information?

 

[passssifit]

L0L, you don't seem like one

Finally, I want to ask,

please look at this:

if ( osvi.dwMajorVersion == 6 && osvi.dwMinorVersion == 1 )
printf ("Gee, it must be Vista Service Pack 1!");

Can one determine Windows Vista service pack releases the same way as
calculated with Windows XP?

so, like

if ( osvi.dwMajorVersion == 6 && osvi.dwMinorVersion == 1 )
{
printf ("It is Microsoft Windows Vista All Versions");
{
if ( osvi.wServicePackMajor == 0 )
printf ("with no Service Pack");
else if ( osvi.wServicePackMajor == 1 )
printf ("with Service Pack 1");
else if ( osvi.wServicePackMajor == 2 )
printf ("with Service Pack 2");
else if ( osvi.wServicePackMajor == 3 )
printf ("with Service Pack 3");
else if ( osvi.wServicePackMajor == 4 )
printf ("with Service Pack 4");
else printf ("unrecognised Service Pack");
}
}

It is slightly exaggerated, but will it work? I noted you have this:

if ( osvi.dwMajorVersion == 6 && osvi.dwMinorVersion == 0 )
{
if( osvi.wProductType == VER_NT_WORKSTATION )
printf ("It is Windows Vista");
else printf ("It is Windows Server 2008" );
}

Is above just an alternative way to get to the same information?

i hope this different view is satisfactory -- no?

 

[Andrew McLaren]

Finally, I want to ask,

please look at this:
Is above just an alternative way to get to the same information?

Is there some specific technical question you are not clear about? Or are
you just looking for general confirmation?

Everything you need to know about GetVersionEx() is in the MSDN URLs I gave
you. If the answer is not obvious from those links, read them again; repeat,
until the answer is obvious.

I can answer questions forever; but eventually you need exercise your own
analytical powers.

 

[crystal160]

Andrew McLaren
amclar (at) optusnet dot com dot au

No worries Andrew, thank you for your time and I appreciate it. I am
assuming you are singing off -- it is critical to me to get
confirmations, (like I was trained by a guy from Singapore -- who
always preached, 'trust, but re-confirm'". therefore, when there are
blank spaces, I try not to play word volleyball, just be polite and
understand sometimes conversationalists on-balance sometimes one
wishes.

 

[Andrew McLaren]

Cool. If I thought you really needed further guidance to achieve
understanding, I'd happily give it to you. But I think you have all the
tools you need. Study the MSDN docs and look at the code samples in MSDN.
The rest is up to you.

You can also experiment with testing your code and verifying the behaviour.
If you install a tool like Virtual PC:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx
you can have XP, XP SP1, XP SP2, Server 2003 and Vista, all running on the
one machine at the same time. This will make it easier to test your
application and/or explore the behaviour of APIs, on different versions of
Windows.

If you get stuck on a specific technical question regarding the
OSVERSIONINFOEX struct, try asking on microsoft.public.win32.programmer.ui.
GetVersionEx() and related functions aren't "UI" as such, but that is
probably the closest appropriate group.

BTW here's a fairly good article I just noticed while browsing CodeGuru:
http://www.codeguru.com/cpp/w-p/system/systeminformation/article.php/c8973__1/
Marius covers the same ground as MSDN but in a more narrative, digestible
style. Besides, I like Romanian programmers

Good luck with the project!

 

[crystal160]

BTW here's a fairly good article I just noticed while browsing CodeGuru:
http://www.codeguru.com/cpp/w-p/system/systeminformation/article.php/...
Marius covers the same ground as MSDN but in a more narrative, digestible
style. Besides, I like Romanian programmers

I am actually very poor (no kidding), ... I do not have vista, but can
you confirm yay or nay if the last code blob was correct, or is it
just simply not documented or clear as of yet? thank you for the
right push have a fabulous day!!

thank you for the encouragement, I am working hard on it. I'll
definitely want to re-test it, and confirm, but it's nice to know
someone who is fully digested in the material to give grace to what is.

 

[Andrew McLaren]

I am actually very poor (no kidding), ... I do not have vista,

Download the 30 day Eval Vista VHD and run it in Virtual PC. Both Virtual PC
and the Eval VHD are free (apart from cost of download). Thsi will give you
a chance to run your compiled code on Vista and verify the results (assuming
Vista is a target platform for your code):

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...d4d1-4b9b-926d-86493c7da1aa&displaylang=en&tm

but can
you confirm yay or nay if the last code blob was correct, or is it
just simply not documented or clear as of yet? thank you for the
right push have a fabulous day!!

It is correct. Except, you said ....

if ( osvi.dwMajorVersion == 6 && osvi.dwMinorVersion == 1 )

It should be ...

if ( osvi.dwMajorVersion == 6 && osvi.dwMinorVersion == 0 )

Vista and Server 2008 are Windows 6.0.

Windows 6.1 hasn't been announced; we don't know what 6.1 will be, if
anything (next major release is expected to be Windows 7.0).

if ( osvi.dwMajorVersion == 6 && osvi.dwMinorVersion == 0 )
{
if( osvi.wProductType == VER_NT_WORKSTATION )
printf ("It is Windows Vista");
else printf ("It is Windows Server 2008" );
}

Is above just an alternative way to get to the same information?

No. The code here is specifically querying wProductType, to determine the
Product Type. This is not an alternative path to any information contained
in the other OSVERSIONINFOEX fields - the fields are all orthogonal:

- dwMajorVersion tells you the Major Version of Windows. It does *not* tell
you anything about the Service Pack level or Product Type.

- wServicePackMajor tells you the major version of Service Pack. It does
*not* tell you anything about the major version of Windows or Product Type.

- ProductType tells you the Product Type. It does *not* tell you anything
about the Windows Version or Service Pack level.

- and so on ...

Seriously - the MSDN doco is very clear and straightforward here. Read it.
If you don't understand, read it again. If you still don't understand, read
it again. If you still don't understand, read it again. There are no
undocumented mysteries about GetVersionEx() or OSVERSIONINFOEX which you
cannot discover just by reading the MSDN doco. If you still don't
understand, read it again. If you still don't understand, read it again. If
you still don't understand, read it again.

Good luck,

 

[crystal160]

Good luck,
--

Thank you. you have been most helpful, and accurate.