Service Tag Missing from BIOS on M170

I have had quite a few issues with my laptop so far, but Dell has always fixed them. During the first few months I had a technician at my house 4 times replacing parts. So I've had a few good months of operation so far. When I was playing around with my BIOS a few days ago I noticed my service tag was missing. Without the service tag, I can't set a BIOS, Hard Drive, or Administrators password. I need these features because I've been bringing my notebook to class more and more (if somebody steals my laptop, at least they can't use it ). I contacted them 2 days ago, and they said that they were sending a service technician to set the service tag. Well, I just recieved a new "refurbished" motherboard today. The last thing I want is another part replaced on my laptop thats finally working great. I called Dell and they said thats its necessary.

Anybody know of a program that I can use to set the service tag in the BIOS (I know of a program that I can use to change it, but not create one)? Will a replacement motherboard fix this issue?

 

The Dell tech entered mine after replacing the motherboard during setup. Sorry I was not following his every step but was told this had to entered at this time.

I was looking at my DOA motherboard to see if i could spot the place where XPS LEDs plugged in when the above step took place. I'm curious as well.

 

you are obviously free to "secure" your notebook however you please, but that sure seems like a waste of time/energy/resources (for both you and dell) for something that won't keep your notebook from being stolen in the first place; especially when you can go buy a $20-30 lock giving you a deterrent rather than something that doesn't help you.

in any case, your post is a little confusing:

1. did a tech already come out?
2. you have a new mb as of today so is the problem fixed?
3. if not, why didn't you have the tech set the tag while there?

 

Get the program asset.com from ftp://ftp1.us.dell.com/utility/ and then put it on a floppy disk that has been formatted with system files. Boot onto the floppy and then running that program will allow you to enter a service tag.

 

Boot onto a floppy? Maybe a CD Thanks for the link.

 

The technician should have put in the new mobo number after installation - this is not the same as a service tag.

As mentioned, the service tag can be cleared/entered using ASSET.COM