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    Serial number missing

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by nmnorris19, Aug 7, 2009.

  1. nmnorris19

    nmnorris19 Newbie

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    I'm trying to locate the serial number of my laptop and it appears to have been removed. It's not under the battery. Is there somewhere in the operating system that I can retrieve this information?
     
    nmnorris19, Aug 7, 2009
    #1
  2. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

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    If you still have the box, they are normally on the outside , but it should be on the bottom of the notebook somewhere.
     
    Tinderbox (UK), Aug 7, 2009
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  3. Fragilexx

    Fragilexx Get'cha head in the game

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    It will be in the BIOS most likely; although this does depend on what machine you have and therefore what BIOS you have - but I'm pretty sure it's there for most newish Dells.

    Press F2 at the Dell logo boot screen and I think it will be under something like "system information" or some such.
     
    Fragilexx, Aug 7, 2009
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  4. Streetmagus

    Streetmagus Notebook Consultant

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    Did you buy the machine off Dell.com or a retailer?
     
    Streetmagus, Aug 7, 2009
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  5. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    The sticker should be on the underside of the laptop itself, not inside the battery bay. What exact laptop are you talking about, and as others have asked, where did you buy it?
     
    Mastershroom, Aug 7, 2009
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  6. own3d

    own3d Notebook Evangelist

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    Try the bios as fragilexx said, if its not there then theres something odd. Unless its very old.
     
    own3d, Aug 8, 2009
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  7. paper_wastage

    paper_wastage Beat this 7x7x7 Cube

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    if you got a 'hot' laptop, with serial numbers missing and the info in BIOS wiped or replaced with fake numbers, it's probably stolen or part of the return scam(dell sent a replacement laptop to someone while that person didn't return the old laptop)
     
    paper_wastage, Aug 8, 2009
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  8. datharo805

    datharo805 Notebook Enthusiast

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    wait, do you mean Dell's service tag number or the serial number to windows? I'm a little confused... I know the service tag would be on the outside while the windows serial could be in the battery bay (if it's not on the bottom of the laptop). I know sometimes the Windows serial is connected in BIOS, so you wouldn't need to put it in while re-installing Windows.
     
    datharo805, Aug 8, 2009
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  9. paper_wastage

    paper_wastage Beat this 7x7x7 Cube

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    i meant to say service tag.. :)

    there are utilities to change the service tag in the BIOS, so if the service tag in the BIOS comes up fake or invalid, probably a stolen or hot laptop
     
    paper_wastage, Aug 9, 2009
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