Q&A: Is there an easy way to get my motherboard's serial number?
Enjoy today's featured easy-to-follow tech tip.
Rick's Daily Tech Tips Update for Tuesday, December 10, 2024
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Today’s featured tech tip…
Q&A: Is there an easy way to get my motherboard's serial number?
Question from Sharon: A couple of years ago I bought a custom-built Windows PC from a computer store that's about two hours away in another city. My daughter lived there at the time and she had recommended them to me after dealing with them.
This morning I received a letter from them saying some of the motherboards they had used during that time have been recalled due to a potential fire hazard.
They asked me to send them the serial number of my computer's motherboard so they could check to see if it's affected by the recall.
I took the cover off the computer and looked at the motherboard but I can't find the serial number anywhere on it. I have a feeling the number must be on the bottom of the board.
I called them and the lady I spoke with said if I would bring the computer in they could check it out for me, but like I said, that's a two hour drive and I'd rather not go down there if my motherboard isn't affected by the recall.
Is there any way I can get the serial number without having to take the computer apart and remove the motherboard?
Rick's answer: There are actually several ways to retrieve a motherboard's serial number via software, Sharon. I'm a bit surprised that the techs at the store didn't tell you how to do it but maybe the person you spoke with wasn't a tech.
Be that as it may, just follow the steps below and you should be able to quickly get your motherboard's serial number without having to open the case again.
Note: The following procedure will work with the vast majority of motherboards, but not all of them. If it fails to work with yours just let me know and I'll give you a different method to use.
1 - Click the Start button and type the letters CMD into the Search box.
2 - Press the Enter key.
3 - Copy and paste the following after the command prompt (i.e. right after the > character):
wmic baseboard get serialnumber
4 - Press the Enter key.
That's all there is to it. If all went well you should now see the serial number of your computer's motherboard displayed on the screen.
I hope this helps, Sharon. Good luck.
Update from Sharon: Thanks so much. It worked.
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Picture of the Day...
“Mabry Mill”
Today’s POTD features iconic Mabry Mill, one of the most popular (and most photographed) attractions you'll encounter as you travel the Blue Ridge Parkway. I hope you like it.
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Every day I hand-pick five of the best tips I found on my favorite tech sites and share them with you, my wonderful subscribers. Here is today’s selection:
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• How to find full, legal movies on YouTube
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Today's post from 'Living (and loving) Life'...
The Rest of the Story: The poor boy with the out-of-tune guitar
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• TikTok tried to save itself with the First Amendment, but failed
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• Apple Pay finally has an alternative on the iPhone
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Thanks so much, and have an amazing day.
Your tech buddy,
Rick Rouse
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