How to retrieve Serial Number from Windows on new U/EFI box?

Question

I need to retrieve the hardware serial numbers from a set of new HP mini desktops that need provisioning.

This worked in the past using a WSH script to query it via WMI. Unfortunately, the newer models no longer contain a BIOS but rather come with EFI instead. All known ways of querying the information no longer work.

I've googled the subject quite a bit but all the answers I found recommend the ineffective method above. Can anyone help? I need a solution that will work with XP (embedded) if it makes a difference.

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 12 '11 at 15:08

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dmidecode in linux is capable of pulling this information via EFI, there is a port available here http://gnuwin32.sourceforge.net/packages/dmidecode.htm which appears to be compiled after EFI support. The command would dmidecode -s system-serial-number as tested on my BIOS based system, however I'm unable to test fully as I havn't got an EFI system to hand.

answered Sep 12 '11 at 15:08

Alex Berry

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Interesting, thanks. Unfortunately the need was for Windows. – Gringo Suave Sep 12 '11 at 18:45
There are other programs available for Windows that read the information out of the DMI table - this is a valid answer. – MikeyB Sep 12 '11 at 19:08
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This is a port to windows, tested on windows 7. The link is for a windows executable. – Alex Berry Sep 13 '11 at 08:11

Gringo Suave · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-12T21:22:46.507

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We found out the model we had was a pre-release box, and a serial number hadn't been assigned yet. Once trying it on a newer box, it worked just fine. The value was available via WMI after all.

Nothing to see here, move along. ;)

Scripting examples in the language of your choice to print serial numbers can be found at Microsoft TechNet.

edited Sep 12 '11 at 21:22

answered Sep 12 '11 at 18:49

Gringo Suave

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Can you post the actual command used to retrieve the serial number to assist future visitors? – MikeyB Sep 12 '11 at 19:09

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Sep 24 '11 at 00:46

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Scriptomatic 2 (available free from Microsoft) allows you to easily browse all of WMI and provides you with the scripts needed to do so.

answered Sep 24 '11 at 00:46

gWaldo

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How to retrieve Serial Number from Windows on new U/EFI box?

3 Answers3