itech20059
MIS
Hi does anyknow now if it is possible to find a serial # on a HP desktop or IBM R51 laptop using VB. I have been researching but hav no come across much. Is there anything in the WMI area?
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is it possible to find a serial #
- Thread starter itech20059
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itech20059
MIS
figured it out.
strComputer = "."
Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:\\" & strComputer & "\root\CIMV2")
Set colItems = objWMIService.ExecQuery( _
"SELECT * FROM Win32_BIOS",,48)
For Each objItem in colItems
Wscript.Echo "Manufacturer: " & objItem.Manufacturer
Wscript.Echo "Name: " & objItem.Name
Wscript.Echo "SerialNumber: " & objItem.SerialNumber
Next
strComputer = "."
Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:\\" & strComputer & "\root\CIMV2")
Set colItems = objWMIService.ExecQuery( _
"SELECT * FROM Win32_BIOS",,48)
For Each objItem in colItems
Wscript.Echo "Manufacturer: " & objItem.Manufacturer
Wscript.Echo "Name: " & objItem.Name
Wscript.Echo "SerialNumber: " & objItem.SerialNumber
Next
And have you actually tried it out? Whilst one ot two (Most BIOS don't actually have a serial number at the BIOS location that WMI queries (although I guess it is possible that HP and IBM do). For example, my PC has for years responded "xxxxxxxxxxx" to this query
While some manufacturers have serial numbers in their BIOS's (Dell? IBM? HP/Compaq?), the vast majority of whitebox computers don't have them. So you cannot rely on this method to uniquely identify a computer.
A network MAC address might be better, but even that presents problems -- what if I have two network interfaces on my machine? (not so uncommon anymore with laptops -- mine has three interfaces -- 10/100/1000 ethernet, 802.11a/b/g, and Bluetooth)
Chip H.
____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first
A network MAC address might be better, but even that presents problems -- what if I have two network interfaces on my machine? (not so uncommon anymore with laptops -- mine has three interfaces -- 10/100/1000 ethernet, 802.11a/b/g, and Bluetooth)
Chip H.
____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first
>While some manufacturers have serial numbers in their BIOS's
yes, but even those that do don't all have them at the same place; there's no real agreed standard on this ...
>uniquely identify a computer
That's part of the reason I was questioning what the OP was looking for
>what if I have two network interfaces on my machine?
Oh, it's worse than that. A fair number of network cards can have the MAC changed (via advanced tab in NIC configuration). Thise that don't have this option can have the MAC changed via a set of registry changes, or through some simple softare (that makes thiose registry changes for you)
yes, but even those that do don't all have them at the same place; there's no real agreed standard on this ...
>uniquely identify a computer
That's part of the reason I was questioning what the OP was looking for
>what if I have two network interfaces on my machine?
Oh, it's worse than that. A fair number of network cards can have the MAC changed (via advanced tab in NIC configuration). Thise that don't have this option can have the MAC changed via a set of registry changes, or through some simple softare (that makes thiose registry changes for you)
macleod1021
Programmer
I was under the impression that you could not actually change the MAC address once it was assigned by the manufacturer. The MAC Address was designed to be completely unique and every NIC manufacturer was assigned a unique prefix in order to assist in this.
I know you can spoof the MAC address using a bios setting but I've never seen a NIC be able to change the true MAC address. Is this something new that they've started allowing manufacturers to do? Personally, I'm not too keen on the idea that a user can change their MAC address at will. That opens the door to a lot of script-kiddies being able to capture data.
I know you can spoof the MAC address using a bios setting but I've never seen a NIC be able to change the true MAC address. Is this something new that they've started allowing manufacturers to do? Personally, I'm not too keen on the idea that a user can change their MAC address at will. That opens the door to a lot of script-kiddies being able to capture data.
>I know you can spoof the MAC address using a bios
Using the Locally Administered Address (LAA) feature - which isn't a (PC) BIOS setting - is not what I would consider spoofing (although I know that some sites that should know better do call it that)
Using the Locally Administered Address (LAA) feature - which isn't a (PC) BIOS setting - is not what I would consider spoofing (although I know that some sites that should know better do call it that)
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