Patent ID: 8151193

Claim:
A computer implemented method for providing image-based guidance for remote assistance with electronic hardware component configuration, the method comprising the steps of: receiving, by a remote computer, hardware component identification information, the hardware component identification information being automatically determined by a component identification agent and comprising metadata associated with at least one electronic hardware component of a user's computing system, to remotely assist the user with configuration of the at least one associated electronic hardware component; wherein receiving hardware component identification information further comprises receiving hardware component identification information originating from the component identification agent, the component identification agent being in communication with the at least one electronic hardware component of the user's computing system, and the component identification agent polling the at least one electronic hardware component of the user's computing system or polling an operating system of the user's computing system; responsive to a look-up according to the metadata, receiving, by the remote computer, at least one image associated with the at least one electronic hardware component; transmitting, by the remote computer, the at least one image, to remotely assist a user with configuration of the at least one associated electronic hardware component; and providing, by the remote computer, at least one visual cue concerning the at least one image to the user, to further remotely assist the user with configuration of the at least one associated electronic hardware component.