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Jared Oberhaus

4 Posts

54957

January 10th, 2006 20:00

SMBIOS contains no serial number: PowerEdge 1850

Hello,

We have several Dell PowerEdge 1850's, and one of them does not contain a serial number in its SMBIOS information. That is, there is no serial number specified in DMI type 1, System Information, which is where the serial number is supposed to be. There IS a serial number specified in DMI type 2, Base Board Information, but this does not match the service tag, and it appears to look a little strange with extra periods surrounding it. Besides, the serial number is supposed to be in type 1--scripts that run on Windows using WMI will look for the serial number in DMI type 1.

Note that I captured the full dump of dmidecode (an executable that runs on Linux--please note that SMBIOS does NOT change when run on Windows or Linux--it is read-only memory in BIOS and so the values are the same and is not affected by which OS you are running). The dump that I show here is when I was running BIOS version A01. I upgraded to BIOS version A04, and the output of dmidecode does not change (except for the BIOS version). There is still no serial number.

Has anyone else ever seen an issue like this? Does anyone else have a PowerEdge or any other Dell that doesn't have a serial number? Is there a way to repair this, similar to upgrading the FlashBIOS?

dmidecode output below ("inactive" sections and bottom removed because of 20000 character limit): 


# dmidecode 2.4
SMBIOS 2.3 present.
87 structures occupying 2861 bytes.
Table at 0x000F9BB0.
Handle 0xDA00
	DMI type 218, 11 bytes.
	OEM-specific Type
		Header and Data:
			DA 0B 00 DA B2 00 17 00 0E 20 00
Handle 0x0000
	DMI type 0, 20 bytes.
	BIOS Information
		Vendor: Dell Computer Corporation
		Version: A01
		Release Date: 09/02/2004
		Address: 0xF0000
		Runtime Size: 64 kB
		ROM Size: 1024 kB
		Characteristics:
			ISA is supported
			PCI is supported
			PNP is supported
			BIOS is upgradeable
			BIOS shadowing is allowed
			ESCD support is available
			Boot from CD is supported
			Selectable boot is supported
			EDD is supported
			Japanese floppy for Toshiba 1.2 MB is supported (int 13h)
			5.25"/360 KB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
			5.25"/1.2 MB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
			3.5"/720 KB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
			Print screen service is supported (int 5h)
			8042 keyboard services are supported (int 9h)
			Serial services are supported (int 14h)
			Printer services are supported (int 17h)
			CGA/mono video services are supported (int 10h)
			ACPI is supported
			USB legacy is supported
			LS-120 boot is supported
			BIOS boot specification is supported
			Function key-initiated network boot is supported
Handle 0x0100
	DMI type 1, 25 bytes.
	System Information
		Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
		Product Name: PowerEdge 1850
		Version: Not Specified
		Serial Number: Not Specified
		UUID: Not Present
		Wake-up Type: Power Switch
Handle 0x0200
	DMI type 2, 9 bytes.
	Base Board Information
		Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
		Product Name: 0D8266
		Version: A02
		Serial Number: ..CN137404BS006B.
Handle 0x0300
	DMI type 3, 17 bytes.
	Chassis Information
		Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
		Type: Main Server Chassis
		Lock: Present
		Version: Not Specified
		Serial Number: Not Specified
		Asset Tag: Not Specified
		Boot-up State: Safe
		Power Supply State: Safe
		Thermal State: Safe
		Security Status: Unknown
		OEM Information: 0x00000000
Handle 0x0400
	DMI type 4, 35 bytes.
	Processor Information
		Socket Designation: PROC_1
		Type: Central Processor
		Family: Xeon
		Manufacturer: Intel
		ID: 41 0F 00 00 FF FB EB BF
		Signature: Type 0, Family 15, Model 4, Stepping 1
		Flags:
			FPU (Floating-point unit on-chip)
			VME (Virtual mode extension)
			DE (Debugging extension)
			PSE (Page size extension)
			TSC (Time stamp counter)
			MSR (Model specific registers)
			PAE (Physical address extension)
			MCE (Machine check exception)
			CX8 (CMPXCHG8 instruction supported)
			APIC (On-chip APIC hardware supported)
			SEP (Fast system call)
			MTRR (Memory type range registers)
			PGE (Page global enable)
			MCA (Machine check architecture)
			CMOV (Conditional move instruction supported)
			PAT (Page attribute table)
			PSE-36 (36-bit page size extension)
			CLFSH (CLFLUSH instruction supported)
			DS (Debug store)
			ACPI (ACPI supported)
			MMX (MMX technology supported)
			FXSR (Fast floating-point save and restore)
			SSE (Streaming SIMD extensions)
			SSE2 (Streaming SIMD extensions 2)
			SS (Self-snoop)
			HTT (Hyper-threading technology)
			TM (Thermal monitor supported)
			SBF (Signal break on FERR)
		Version: Not Specified
		Voltage: 1.4 V
		External Clock: 800 MHz
		Max Speed: 3600 MHz
		Current Speed: 2800 MHz
		Status: Populated, Enabled
		Upgrade: ZIF Socket
		L1 Cache Handle: 0x0700
		L2 Cache Handle: 0x0701
		L3 Cache Handle: 0x0702
		Serial Number: Not Specified
		Asset Tag: Not Specified
		Part Number: Not Specified
Handle 0x0401
	DMI type 4, 35 bytes.
	Processor Information
		Socket Designation: PROC_2
		Type: Central Processor
		Family: Xeon
		Manufacturer: Intel
		ID: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
		Signature: Type 0, Family 0, Model 0, Stepping 0
		Flags: None
		Version: Not Specified
		Voltage: 1.4 V
		External Clock: Unknown
		Max Speed: 3600 MHz
		Current Speed: Unknown
		Status: Unpopulated
		Upgrade: ZIF Socket
		L1 Cache Handle: 0x0703
		L2 Cache Handle: 0x0704
		L3 Cache Handle: 0x0705
		Serial Number: Not Specified
		Asset Tag: Not Specified
		Part Number: Not Specified
Handle 0x0700
	DMI type 7, 19 bytes.
	Cache Information
		Socket Designation: Not Specified
		Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 1
		Operational Mode: Write Through
		Location: Internal
		Installed Size: 16 KB
		Maximum Size: 16 KB
		Supported SRAM Types:
			Unknown
		Installed SRAM Type: Unknown
		Speed: Unknown
		Error Correction Type: Single-bit ECC
		System Type: Data
		Associativity: 8-way Set-associative
Handle 0x0701
	DMI type 7, 19 bytes.
	Cache Information
		Socket Designation: Not Specified
		Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 2
		Operational Mode: Varies With Memory Address
		Location: Internal
		Installed Size: 1024 KB
		Maximum Size: 1024 KB
		Supported SRAM Types:
			Unknown
		Installed SRAM Type: Unknown
		Speed: Unknown
		Error Correction Type: Single-bit ECC
		System Type: Unified
		Associativity: 8-way Set-associative
Handle 0x0702
	DMI type 7, 19 bytes.
	Cache Information
		Socket Designation: Not Specified
		Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 3
		Operational Mode: Varies With Memory Address
		Location: Internal
		Installed Size: 0 KB
		Maximum Size: 0 KB
		Supported SRAM Types:
			Unknown
		Installed SRAM Type: Unknown
		Speed: Unknown
		Error Correction Type: Unknown
		System Type: Unified
		Associativity: 2-way Set-associative
Handle 0x0703
	DMI type 7, 19 bytes.
	Cache Information
		Socket Designation: Not Specified
		Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 1
		Operational Mode: Write Through
		Location: Internal
		Installed Size: 0 KB
		Maximum Size: 16 KB
		Supported SRAM Types:
			Unknown
		Installed SRAM Type: Unknown
		Speed: Unknown
		Error Correction Type: Single-bit ECC
		System Type: Data
		Associativity: 8-way Set-associative
Handle 0x0704
	DMI type 7, 19 bytes.
	Cache Information
		Socket Designation: Not Specified
		Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 2
		Operational Mode: Varies With Memory Address
		Location: Internal
		Installed Size: 0 KB
		Maximum Size: 1024 KB
		Supported SRAM Types:
			Unknown
		Installed SRAM Type: Unknown
		Speed: Unknown
		Error Correction Type: Single-bit ECC
		System Type: Unified
		Associativity: 8-way Set-associative
Handle 0x0705
	DMI type 7, 19 bytes.
	Cache Information
		Socket Designation: Not Specified
		Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 3
		Operational Mode: Varies With Memory Address
		Location: Internal
		Installed Size: 0 KB
		Maximum Size: 0 KB
		Supported SRAM Types:
			Unknown
		Installed SRAM Type: Unknown
		Speed: Unknown
		Error Correction Type: Unknown
		System Type: Unified
		Associativity: 2-way Set-associative
Handle 0x0800
	DMI type 8, 9 bytes.
	Port Connector Information
		Internal Reference Designator: SCSIA
		Internal Connector Type: 68 Pin Dual Inline
		External Reference Designator: Not Specified
		External Connector Type: None
		Port Type: SCSI Wide
Handle 0x0802
	DMI type 8, 9 bytes.
	Port Connector Information
		Internal Reference Designator: Not Specified
		Internal Connector Type: None
		External Reference Designator: Not Specified
		External Connector Type: DB-15 female
		Port Type: Video Port
Handle 0x0803
	DMI type 8, 9 bytes.
	Port Connector Information
		Internal Reference Designator: Not Specified
		Internal Connector Type: None
		External Reference Designator: Not Specified
		External Connector Type: DB-15 female
		Port Type: Video Port
Handle 0x0804
	DMI type 8, 9 bytes.
	Port Connector Information
		Internal Reference Designator: Not Specified
		Internal Connector Type: None
		External Reference Designator: Not Specified
		External Connector Type: Access Bus (USB)
		Port Type: USB
Handle 0x0805
	DMI type 8, 9 bytes.
	Port Connector Information
		Internal Reference Designator: Not Specified
		Internal Connector Type: None
		External Reference Designator: Not Specified
		External Connector Type: Access Bus (USB)
		Port Type: USB
Handle 0x0806
	DMI type 8, 9 bytes.
	Port Connector Information
		Internal Reference Designator: Not Specified
		Internal Connector Type: None
		External Reference Designator: Not Specified
		External Connector Type: Access Bus (USB)
		Port Type: USB
Handle 0x0807
	DMI type 8, 9 bytes.
	Port Connector Information
		Internal Reference Designator: Not Specified
		Internal Connector Type: None
		External Reference Designator: Not Specified
		External Connector Type: Access Bus (USB)
		Port Type: USB
Handle 0x0809
	DMI type 8, 9 bytes.
	Port Connector Information
		Internal Reference Designator: Not Specified
		Internal Connector Type: None
		External Reference Designator: Not Specified
		External Connector Type: RJ-45
		Port Type: Network Port
Handle 0x080A
	DMI type 8, 9 bytes.
	Port Connector Information
		Internal Reference Designator: Not Specified
		Internal Connector Type: None
		External Reference Designator: Not Specified
		External Connector Type: RJ-45
		Port Type: Network Port
Handle 0x080B
	DMI type 8, 9 bytes.
	Port Connector Information
		Internal Reference Designator: Not Specified
		Internal Connector Type: None
		External Reference Designator: Not Specified
		External Connector Type: DB-9 male
		Port Type: Serial Port 16550A Compatible
Handle 0x080C
	DMI type 8, 9 bytes.
	Port Connector Information
		Internal Reference Designator: Not Specified
		Internal Connector Type: None
		External Reference Designator: Not Specified
		External Connector Type: PS/2
		Port Type: Keyboard Port
Handle 0x080D
	DMI type 8, 9 bytes.
	Port Connector Information
		Internal Reference Designator: Not Specified
		Internal Connector Type: None
		External Reference Designator: Not Specified
		External Connector Type: Mini DIN
		Port Type: Mouse Port
Handle 0x0900
	DMI type 9, 13 bytes.
	System Slot Information
		Designation: PCI1
		Type: 64-bit PCI-X
		Current Usage: In Use
		Length: Short
		ID: 1
		Characteristics:
			3.3 V is provided
			PME signal is supported
Handle 0x0901
	DMI type 9, 13 bytes.
	System Slot Information
		Designation: PCI2
		Type: 64-bit PCI-X
		Current Usage: Available
		Length: Short
		ID: 2
		Characteristics:
			3.3 V is provided
			PME signal is supported
Handle 0x0907
	DMI type 9, 13 bytes.
	System Slot Information
		Designation: RAC_CONN
		Type: Proprietary
		Current Usage: Available
		Length: Other
		Characteristics:
			5.0 V is provided
			3.3 V is provided
Handle 0x0A00
	DMI type 10, 12 bytes.
	On Board Device 1 Information
		Type: SCSI Controller
		Status: Enabled
		Description: LSI Logic 53C1030 Ultra 320 SCSI
	On Board Device 2 Information
		Type: Video
		Status: Enabled
		Description: ATI RADEON 7000 PCI Video
	On Board Device 3 Information
		Type: Ethernet
		Status: Enabled
		Description: Intel 82541EI Gigabit Ethernet
	On Board Device 4 Information
		Type: Ethernet
		Status: Enabled
		Description: Intel 82541EI Gigabit Ethernet
Handle 0x0B00
	DMI type 11, 5 bytes.
	OEM Strings
		String 1: Dell System
		String 2: 5[0000]
Handle 0x0C00
	DMI type 12, 5 bytes.
	System Configuration Options
		Option 1: NVRAM_CLR:  Clear user settable NVRAM areas and set defaults
		Option 2: PASSWD:  Close to enable password
Handle 0x0D00
	DMI type 13, 22 bytes.
	BIOS Language Information
		Installable Languages: 1
			en|US|iso8859-1
		Currently Installed Language: en|US|iso8859-1

Jared Oberhaus

4 Posts

January 10th, 2006 21:00

I have found a Dell utility that updates the "service tag" in the SMBIOS, but it does not appear to work on the machine that I have. Here is the link for libsmbios which I compiled on Windows:

http://linux.dell.com/libsmbios/main/index.html
http://linux.dell.com/libsmbios/download/

However, when I run it, this is the output (note I replaced the service tag I really used with xxxx. I found my service tag on a sticker on the box): 


C:>serviceTagD -s xxxx
Existing Service Tag:
Changing Service Tag: xxxx

An Error occurred. The Error message is:


Could not set tag. Common problems are:
    -- Some systems do not allow setting of service tag outside of the factory.
       All attempts to set Service Tag on these systems will fail.

    -- Password-protection in the BIOS.
       Try using the '--password' option to specify the BIOS setup password.

    -- Insufficient permissions to perform operation.
       Try running as a more privileged account.
          Linux  : run as 'root' user
          Windows: run as 'administrator' user

    -- dcdbas device driver not loaded.
       Try loading the dcdbas driver
          Linux  : insmod dcdbas
          Windows: dcdbas driver not yet available.


So now I am stuck again. Anyone have any ideas?

speedstep

9 Legend

 • 

47K Posts

January 11th, 2006 05:00

The dell asset utility updates the SERVICE TAG/SERIAL NUMBER IN BIOS.

Jared Oberhaus

4 Posts

January 11th, 2006 16:00


@speedstep wrote:
The dell asset utility updates the SERVICE TAG/SERIAL NUMBER IN BIOS.



Yes, that is true. The service tag/serial number is in the BIOS in an area called SMBIOS. On all the other PowerEdge 1850's that we have (and as far as I know, all Dell's that we have) the service tag is stored in SMBIOS in System Information Block (DMI type 1) in the field "Serial Number". The sticker on each box and the SMBIOS information match.

As I mentioned before, when you write a VB or WMI script to access the serial number/service tag of your Dell machine, it is actually Windows accessing the SMBIOS information and reading the "Serial Number" field from the System Information Block.

Also, entering the BIOS during boot (by pressing F2), the "Service Tag:" display on the setup screen is empty, further suggesting that it is stored in SMBIOS, as that is also empty.

On the specific box, I have a problem with, the SMBIOS does not contain a serial number, and so management utilities from Dell and others cannot determine what the unique serial number of the machine is (which also happens to be a Dell service tag).

barhampa

718 Posts

January 14th, 2006 00:00

The following is an extract from the User Guide which will assist you with your Asset Tag issue.

Creating the Asset Tag Utility Diskette

  2. Insert the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD into the CD drive of a system running a Microsoft® Windows® operating system.
    Insert a blank diskette into the system's diskette drive.
    Select the system for which you want to create an asset tag and click Continue.
    On the Utilities and Drivers Page, select Dell: Bootable Diskette with Asset Tag Utility.
    Save the utility to the hard drive and then execute the utility to create a bootable diskette.
    Insert the diskette into the system for which you want to assign the asset tag and reboot the system.

At the DOS Prompt : asset /s  Your Service Tag Here

This will save the service tag to BIOS.

 


Jared Oberhaus

4 Posts

January 16th, 2006 21:00

Thank you! That works. That updated the SMBIOS with the Service Tag that I specified.

Optic Nerve

31 Posts

January 24th, 2006 01:00

Hi,
 
Just thought I would add my thanks also.  I recently had a motherboard replaced on a PE1850 and the Dell tech didn't update the service tag.  I did it myself using these instructions and it worked perfectly.
 
Thanks,
Optic

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