Checking Mainboard model via Windows, how?

[javierdl]

Is there a way to see the model of ones motherboard without physically opening the box?
I am doing some upgrading to a friend of mine's pc, and after upgrading from WinME to Win2k sp4, I noticed that I could no longer raise the monitor resolution to anything higher than 800x600 and 16 bit color. However, I am pretty sure I had been able to switch to 24bit with ME. Now, it seems he is using the onboard video because nothing shows under Display Adapters in Device Manager. So it seems now the next step is to find out what motherboard model he has, isn't it?
Mind you, I already used the Hardware Wizard to try to find a suitable video driver from the Win2k CD, without success. At that point I thought sp4 would do the trick, but it didn't.

Btw, the reason why I would prefer a non physical way to find out the mboard model is because he doesn't exactly live around the corner. This way he could give me that info over the phone, and then I could search for the driver in the internet at home.

Thanks in advance,

JDL

http://www.sunnylandbaja.com

 

[edfair]

should be able to find it using belarc advisor, sisoft sandra, or aida32 (except it has changed to another owner).
Or use debug and display memory where the video bios resides. It ususally will show the chipset.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[javierdl]

Thanks a lot Ed
it looks like I'll have to opt for debug (I doubt he already has any of the utilities you mentioned, plus he has no internet access just now).
Now, as for debug, could you tell me what exactly am I to type as a full command? All I know is that debug is a DOS tool, correct? And should I enter this in Command Prompt or in Run...?

thanks again Ed,

JavierDL

http://www.sunnylandbaja.com

 

[edfair]

start , run, debug
d c000:0000 (gives a 16 line hex with ascii on the right
d (for the next group)
q (to quit)
Somewhere down the display there should be some indication of the manufacturer.
May not be enough help.
He probably needs to get a friend to download the utilities. All are free.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[javierdl]

Thanks so much again Ed
I guess I'll have to bring these utilities

Although I am suspecting at this point he is already considering getting a $25 video card

Have a good one,

JavierDL

http://www.sunnylandbaja.com

 

[javierdl]

One last couple of questions Ed...

I tried the Belar Advisor utility. Tell me, is the "Main Circuit Board" a synonim for "motherboard"?

Btw, I didn't see in that report what version of DOS I have, does it report that too?

thanks man,

JDL

http://www.sunnylandbaja.com

 

[micker377]

Aida32 is now "Everest Home".

 

[edfair]

Motherboard is a shortcut for main circuit board. Kind of a throwback to older systems that used expansion cards.
My belarc reported the OS as the first item. I haven't checked other versions to see if there have been any changes made.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[Nelviticus]

Some motherboards report their code number and ROM version when you first boot, mine certainly does. It's one of the first things that appears on screen, before the memory test and option to go into BIOS settings.

Nelviticus

 

[norty303]

I'd suggest that if he's thining of going to go out and buy a cheap card then he'll have to open the case. Why not just get him to do that and look for the model number. They are commonly next to the processor slot, but I'm sure people here can give you more details.

Also, check the boot screen where it detects/displays the drives. It should have the mobo manufacturer and model details there if it's not obscured by a splash screen

 

[javierdl]

Thanks guys!
That is correct, one can see some info while the booting is taking place. Someone past me the useful tip of using the Pause key while booting up, it's great! It does just that: pauses the screen until you hit enter.
Unfortunately although it showed the manufacturer of the board (American Megatrend), it didn't show the serial number nor its model number.
According to the American M. site, it looks like this board is not a genuine AM board, which of course, doesn't help.
And since I already went personally to my friend's house to remove that board and have a close look and couldn't find a damn name on it, it's clear to me the next step will be using B.Advisor to get that info.

Later guys,

JDL

http://www.sunnylandbaja.com

 

[Freestone]

Perhaps these motherboard ID tools may help you in your quest:

http://www.motherboards.org/articles/tech-planations/13_1.html

http://www.motherboards.org/moboidtools.html

 

[Nelviticus]

I think American Megatrends is just the name of the BIOS maker, not the motherboard.

Nelviticus