Check if a PC is active on the network

[april]

I need to check if a pc on another floor is connected to the network because it needs to be patched.

I don't think ping is the best way to check because that uses a different port.  I was told even if a PC is pingable, it doesn't mean the PC can be patched.

Is there a better way to validate if a PC is active and can be patched?
If I write a dos script to check the PC, how do I validate the status?

Thanks.

[april]

I forgot to mention the PCs to be validated are Windows XP SP2.

[fgdn17]

I need to check if a pc on another floor is connected to the network because it needs to be patched.

I don't think ping is the best way to check because that uses a different port.  I was told even if a PC is pingable, it doesn't mean the PC can be patched.

Is there a better way to validate if a PC is active and can be patched?
If I write a dos script to check the PC, how do I validate the status?

Thanks.

open windows explorer, open networks...is the machine present??? If so and you have acces it is accessable to you...if NOT then it isn't...this finds if it's active on your network...now as for patching it I think you may need to use some other tools...remote desktop maybe??

Good Luck