Check A Computer’s Memory with PowerShell’s CIM_PhysicalMemory
Our mission to use PowerShell to interrogate a computer’s physical memory, to see the properties of that RAM stick(s). Goals include discovering the capacity, speed and data width. We also have pure PowerShell goals, to research with Get-member and to control the display with format-table -auto.
Topics for PowerShell Memory
- Preparation with Get-Help
- Research Properties with Get-Member
- Simple Example to Display CIM_PhysicalMemory
- Refined Example Using More Properties
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Trusty Twosome (Get-Help and Get-Member)
When you discover a new PowerShell command, it benefits from being surveyed with what I call the ‘Trusty Twosome’. Research with Get-Help and Get-Member and reveal new scripting possibilities for Get-WmiObject CIM_PhysicalMemory. To see what I mean start with Get-Help.
Preparation with PowerShell’s Get-Help
The master cmdlet is Get-WmiObject, and as we will see later, PowerShell’s CIM_PhysicalMemory is a class of this object.
# Help with PowerShell WMI object:
Get-Help Get-WmiObject
Note 1: If you prefer examples: help gci -full
Get-Help unearths useful parameters such as -class and -computerName (-computer also works).
Simple Example: Display CIM_PhysicalMemory
A simple script to display your computer’s physical memory.
# A simple command to display CIM_PhysicalMemory
Get-WmiObject CIM_PhysicalMemory
Those with a VBScript, or SQL background may be more familiar with query and select statement. This achieves the same result, but is only useful if you wished to modify "Select *".
# Display CIM_PhysicalMemory using -query and "Select"
Get-WmiObject -query "Select * from CIM_PhysicalMemory"
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Research Properties with Get-Member
# Properties for PowerShell memory object:
Get-WmiObject CIM_PhysicalMemory |Get-Member
Note 2: If you enjoy aliases: gwmi CIM_PhysicalMemory | gm
Note 3: If you are fond of filters: gwmi CIM_PhysicalMemory| gm -Membertype property
Get-Member (gm) reveals a whole host of properties that you don’t normally see in the Device Manager.
Refined Example: Using Properties We Researched with Get-Member
Get-WmiObject -query "Select * from CIM_PhysicalMemory" |`
Format-Table name, Capacity, DataWidth, Speed -auto
Summary: PowerShell Memory CIM_PhysicalMemory
We want to find the computer’s physical memory using PowerShell. In particular, we want the capacity, speed and data width. Note in passing how we investigated with Get-member and to control the display with format-table -auto.
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See More Microsoft PowerShell WMI Examples:
• Home • PowerShell Get-WmiObject • Win32_ComputerSystem • Free WMI Monitor
• WMI Class • [WMI] Type • Win32_printer • Win32_product • SystemRestore • WMI Services
• WMI Disk • DNS • Memory • PowerShell -Filter • Check Server UpTime • ConvertToDateTime
Please email me if you have a script examples. Also please report any factual mistakes, grammatical errors or broken links, I will be happy to correct the fault.
