Question

Check BIOS version without booting Windows 2000/XP Dell Optiplex GX 240

Asked by: esc_toe_account

Is there a way to check the hardware BIOS version without booting on a Dell Optiplex GX 240 running Windows 2000 or XP? I need to check a lot of them and closing all applications and rebooting is too much of an imposition on users, and takes too much time.

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Asked On
2004-04-21 at 12:57:35ID20962528
Tags

check

,

version

,

dell

Topic

General Computer Systems

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Answers

 

by: LucFPosted on 2004-04-21 at 12:59:09ID: 10882214

Hi esc_toe_account,

Assuming you have problems with rebooting the computer every time you have to check bios versions.
Use a utility like AIDA32 (http://www.aida32.hu) to be able to do it from within windows.

Greetings,

LucF

 

by: asyscokidPosted on 2004-04-21 at 13:04:14ID: 10882280

www.aida32.hu is closed as of Monday.  You may still be able to find Aida32 somewhere.  But try CPU-Z, it's free and does the job.

http://www.cpuid.com/

 

by: CallandorPosted on 2004-04-21 at 13:07:14ID: 10882319

 

by: LucFPosted on 2004-04-21 at 13:07:42ID: 10882328

asyscokid,
That's some bad news... :(
I liked Aida, and I still have it here in case someone is interested.

 

by: esc_toe_accountPosted on 2004-04-21 at 14:39:00ID: 10883193

I have AIDA but installation also takes too much time for all workstations. I think we may have another network audit software already installed, I will check that.

Too bad about AIDA, but at least Lavalys, who hired AIDA developer Tamás Miklós, offers their new product EVEREST free in a Home Edition--a system information, system diagnostics and benchmarking tool.

 

by: joelrobPosted on 2004-04-21 at 14:40:56ID: 10883208

Sandra from SiSoft will also do this and many other things as well. They have a freeware version with limited functionality and a professional version with many more features. You can download it here:

http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/index.html?dir=dload&location=sware_dl_x86&langx=en&a=

 

by: esc_toe_accountPosted on 2004-04-21 at 14:56:32ID: 10883330

I'm looking for a time saver--note that I said rebooting takes too much time on a fast computer--just a spot to click, click and read the BIOS version without otherwise imposing on users.

Hence, other options that take as long or longer as rebooting (such as installing software) are also not an option.

 

by: ahmedbahgatPosted on 2004-04-21 at 18:00:05ID: 10884499

view the system information will show you the bios version, that is the fastest you can get

under 2000  <Start><Programs><Accessories><System Tools>
under xp      <Start><All Programs><Accessories><System Tools>

and you will see the bios version and date there.

cheers

 

by: Don_LongPosted on 2004-07-26 at 17:48:37ID: 11642791

ahmedbahgat's solution didn't work for me on W2K.  The <System Information> menu item was missing.
What did work was <Start><Run><msinfo32>

 

by: akoluchPosted on 2005-09-30 at 12:19:54ID: 14995244

Dell makes a Client Configuration Utility Manager (DCCU) that will look at every PC remotely and then change any settings you want to in the BIOS, remotely.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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