Abstract: In an Internet-based client/server application, a system is provided to detect the infrastructure at the client side so as to ascertain information such as the computer type, what peripherals are attached to the computer, CPU power, hard disk space, what viewer or sound card is installed and the Internet connection information associated with the client and to automatically transmit required software to the client or give the client consulting advice to remotely identify problems and provide solutions, to install new software and to remotely instruct individuals as to how to use their machines. In one embodiment, each user is provided with software having a unique serial number. Having the serial number, infrastructure data is checked at the client side and reported to the server periodically, with the server updating a database with the infrastructure data from each PC to permit the remote consulting and repair.