Serial Nos

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March 10th, 2003, 08:44 PM
11001001

Serial Nos

Ok. Here's the situation:

My office is being audited. As a result, we need to collect the serial numbers from all of our servers. Problem is, we have more than ten remote sites, making it difficult to go from site-to-site before our deadline. We have the ability to hit each server remotely, but we can't restart the machine and grab the s/n from the BIOS, because it will kick us out of the remote viewing during the shutdown process. So, does anyone know of a way of obtaining the serial number of a dell server from windows?

Thanks in advance.

-11001001
March 10th, 2003, 09:04 PM
Algaen

If you have SMS installed this might help
http://www.swynk.com/friends/Hobbs/win2k.asp#Top
Check out item 3 on collectiong asset info.
Good luck!
March 10th, 2003, 09:09 PM
thehorse13

Dell servers usually have pre-installed software with your express service code and service tag info. Go to start>programs and look for Dell Accessories. You will see the service tag link in there.
March 10th, 2003, 09:28 PM
imported_nathanb33

Here is something that might get you started.

http://www.i386.com/default.asp?c=6&k=15&p=1045
March 10th, 2003, 09:46 PM
11001001

Quote:

Originally posted here by Algaen
If you have SMS installed this might help
http://www.swynk.com/friends/Hobbs/win2k.asp#Top
Check out item 3 on collectiong asset info.
Good luck!

Thanks Algaen, but we don't have SMS installed.

Quote:

Originally posted here by thehorse13
Dell servers usually have pre-installed software with your express service code and service tag info. Go to start>programs and look for Dell Accessories. You will see the service tag link in there.

Thanks thehorse, but I tried that but it's not there on any of the servers. I don't know how they were configured when they were, but much of the "standard Dell software" is missing.

Quote:

Originally posted here by nathanb33
Here is something that might get you started.

http://www.i386.com/default.asp?c=6&k=15&p=1045

Thanks nathan, but I'm no programmer, and I'm not quite sure what to do with that link.
March 10th, 2003, 11:24 PM
imported_nathanb33

OK,

Check this out. Here is a shareware app called WMI Asset Logger.
It scans remote systems on your network and returns useful asset data. I downloaded it and ran it on my local network and it came back with the serial number, OS, servicepack level, and all kinds of good stuff. Might be what you are looking for...

Check it out:

http://www.tucows.com/preview/290318.html

Here is the blurb about the app:

Quote:

This is a utility designed to scan your network for Domain members and return the NetBIOS name, IP address, BIOS manufacturer, BIOS serial number, CPUID string, CPU actual speed, total system memory, total HD size, operating system name, operating system build and operating system latest service pack.

This information can then be stored in a tab separated value list that can be imported into a spreadsheet or database, or it can be saved as a Microsoft Access Database which can be queried to form reports. The program also provides ADSI and NetServersEnumerate API for generating lists of domain members.
March 11th, 2003, 07:04 PM
phishphreek

Do you have the win2k resource kit? I'm assuming that you are using win2k...

you can use the checkbios.vbs script

Quote:

C:\Program Files\Resource Pro Kit>checkbios /?
Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.6
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation 1996-2001. All rights reserved.

Displays information on system BIOS.

SYNTAX:
CheckBios.vbs [/S <server>] [/U <username>] [/W <password>]
[/O <outputfile>]

PARAMETER SPECIFIERS:
server A machine name.
username The current user's name.
password Password of the current user.
outputfile The output file name.

EXAMPLE:
1. cscript CheckBios.vbs
Get the bios information for the current machine.
2. cscript CheckBios.vbs /S MyMachine2
Get the bios information for the machine MyMachine2.

C:\Program Files\Resource Pro Kit>

It lists my serial in there... I'm not sure that every manufacturer will put it in the bios though.
I just retrieved the system serial on a gateway.... worth checking it out though.

I think there are other tools in the win2k resource kit that will also do this. I'll look for em and edit/post again.
March 11th, 2003, 07:45 PM
tampabay420

Quote:

Thanks nathan, but I'm no programmer, and I'm not quite sure what to do with that link.

hey, you are an Admin, you should learn how to code!
VBscript will become your best friend (if win & you like to save time/effort ;)) http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...entid=28001169

anyway- that's the best solution i've seen so far...
good tip nathenb33 :D