Help with checking a server's status

[DustinH]

My problem is I need to detect if a server is running, I tried using detect if file exists and it worked just fine on my Administrator box, but when I tried it on a computer with less access it isnt working, so Im thinking I have a permisions problem with this method, is there any other way to check if another computer is up and running without detecting a folder or file? Here is what I have.

Dim TheFile2 As String
            Dim Results2 As String
 
            TheFile2 = "\\mga-ts1\C$\Shell\testpacket.txt"
            Results2 = Dir$(TheFile2)
            '============================================
 
            'Change icons to display connectivity =======
 
            If Results2 = "" Then
                picMGATS1.Image = picDisabled.Image
                mgats1status = 0
            Else
                picMGATS1.Image = picEnabled.Image
                mgats1status = 1
            End If
        End If