dmidecode is a tool for dumping a computer’s DMI (some say SMBIOS ) table contents in a human-readable format. This table contains a description of the system’s hardware components, as well as other useful pieces of information such as serial numbers and BIOS revision. Thanks to this table, you can retrieve this information without having to probe for the actual hardware. While this is a good point in terms of report speed and safeness, this also makes the presented information possibly unreliable.
The DMI table doesn’t only describe what the system is currently made of, it also can report the possible evolutions (such as the fastest supported CPU or the maximal amount of memory supported).
SMBIOS stands for System Management BIOS , while DMI stands for Desktop Management Interface. Both standards are tightly related and developed by the DMTF (Desktop Management Task Force).
john@john:~$ sudo dmidecode
Handle 0×0000, DMI type 0, 20 bytes
BIOS Information
Vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
Version: 080012
Release Date: 08/10/2009
Address: 0xF0000
Runtime Size: 64 kB
ROM Size: 512 kB
Characteristics:
ISA is supported
PCI is supported
PNP is supported
APM is supported
BIOS is upgradeable
BIOS shadowing is allowed
ESCD support is available
Boot from CD is supported
Selectable boot is supported
BIOS ROM is socketed
EDD is supported
5.25?/1.2 MB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
3.5?/720 KB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
3.5?/2.88 MB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
Print screen service is supported (int 5h)
8042 keyboard services are supported (int 9h)
Serial services are supported (int 14h)
Printer services are supported (int 17h)
CGA/mono video services are supported (int 10h)
ACPI is supported
USB legacy is supported
AGP is supported
LS-120 boot is supported
ATAPI Zip drive boot is supported
BIOS boot specification is supported
Handle 0×0001, DMI type 1, 25 bytes
System Information
Manufacturer: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Product Name: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Version: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Serial Number: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
UUID: 00020003-0004-0005-0006-000700080009
Wake-up Type: Power Switch
Handle 0×0002, DMI type 2, 15 bytes
Base Board Information
Manufacturer: To be filled by O.E.M.
Product Name: To be filled by O.E.M.
Version: To be filled by O.E.M.
Serial Number: To be filled by O.E.M.
Asset Tag: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Features:
Board is a hosting board
Board is replaceable
Location In Chassis: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Chassis Handle: 0×0003
Type: Motherboard
Contained Object Handles: 0
Handle 0×0003, DMI type 3, 21 bytes
Chassis Information
Manufacturer: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Type: Desktop
Lock: Not Present
Version: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Serial Number: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Asset Tag: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Boot-up State: Safe
Power Supply State: Safe
Thermal State: Safe
Security Status: None
OEM Information: 0×00000000
Height: Unspecified
Number Of Power Cords: 1
Contained Elements: 0
Handle 0×0004, DMI type 4, 35 bytes
Processor Information
Socket Designation: CPU 1
Type: Central Processor
Family: Pentium 4
Manufacturer: Intel
ID: 27 0F 00 00 FF FB EB BF
Signature: Type 0, Family 15, Model 2, Stepping 7
Flags:
FPU (Floating-point unit on-chip)
VME (Virtual mode extension)
DE (Debugging extension)
PSE (Page size extension)
TSC (Time stamp counter)
MSR (Model specific registers)
PAE (Physical address extension)
MCE (Machine check exception)
CX8 (CMPXCHG8 instruction supported)
APIC (On-chip APIC hardware supported)
SEP (Fast system call)
MTRR (Memory type range registers)
PGE (Page global enable)
MCA (Machine check architecture)
CMOV (Conditional move instruction supported)
PAT (Page attribute table)
PSE-36 (36-bit page size extension)
CLFSH (CLFLUSH instruction supported)
DS (Debug store)
ACPI (ACPI supported)
MMX (MMX technology supported)
FXSR (Fast floating-point save and restore)
SSE (Streaming SIMD extensions)
SSE2 (Streaming SIMD extensions 2)
SS (Self-snoop)
HTT (Hyper-threading technology)
TM (Thermal monitor supported)
PBE (Pending break enabled)
Version: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz
Voltage: 3.3 V 2.9 V
External Clock: 532 MHz
Max Speed: 2394 MHz
Current Speed: 2394 MHz
Status: Populated, Enabled
Upgrade: Socket 478
L1 Cache Handle: 0×0005
L2 Cache Handle: 0×0006
L3 Cache Handle: 0×0007
Serial Number: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Asset Tag: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Part Number: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Handle 0×0005, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
Socket Designation: L1-Cache
Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 1
Operational Mode: Varies With Memory Address
Location: Internal
Installed Size: 8 KB
Maximum Size: 8 KB
Supported SRAM Types:
Pipeline Burst
Installed SRAM Type: Pipeline Burst
Speed: Unknown
Error Correction Type: Single-bit ECC
System Type: Data
Associativity: 4-way Set-associative
Handle 0×0006, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
Socket Designation: L2-Cache
Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 2
Operational Mode: Varies With Memory Address
Location: Internal
Installed Size: 512 KB
Maximum Size: 512 KB
Supported SRAM Types:
Pipeline Burst
Installed SRAM Type: Pipeline Burst
Speed: Unknown
Error Correction Type: Single-bit ECC
System Type: Unified
Associativity: 4-way Set-associative
Handle 0×0007, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
Socket Designation: L3-Cache
Configuration: Disabled, Not Socketed, Level 3
Operational Mode: Unknown
Location: Internal
Installed Size: 0 KB
Maximum Size: 0 KB
Supported SRAM Types:
Unknown
Installed SRAM Type: Unknown
Speed: Unknown
Error Correction Type: Unknown
System Type: Unknown
Associativity: Unknown
Handle 0×0008, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J1A1
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: PS2Mouse
External Connector Type: PS/2
Port Type: Mouse Port
Handle 0×0009, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J1A1
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: Keyboard
External Connector Type: PS/2
Port Type: Keyboard Port
Handle 0x000A, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J2A2
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: USB1
External Connector Type: Access Bus (USB)
Port Type: USB
Handle 0x000B, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J2A2
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: USB2
External Connector Type: Access Bus (USB)
Port Type: USB
Handle 0x000C, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J4A1
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: LPT 1
External Connector Type: DB-25 male
Port Type: Parallel Port ECP/EPP
Handle 0x000D, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J2A1
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: COM A
External Connector Type: DB-9 male
Port Type: Serial Port 16550A Compatible
Handle 0x000E, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J6A1
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: Audio Mic In
External Connector Type: Mini Jack (headphones)
Port Type: Audio Port
Handle 0x000F, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J6A1
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: Audio Line In
External Connector Type: Mini Jack (headphones)
Port Type: Audio Port
Handle 0×0010, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J6B1 - AUX IN
Internal Connector Type: On Board Sound Input From CD-ROM
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Audio Port
Handle 0×0011, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J6B2 - CDIN
Internal Connector Type: On Board Sound Input From CD-ROM
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Audio Port
Handle 0×0012, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J6J2 - PRI IDE
Internal Connector Type: On Board IDE
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other
Handle 0×0013, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J6J1 - SEC IDE
Internal Connector Type: On Board IDE
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other
Handle 0×0014, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J4J1 - FLOPPY
Internal Connector Type: On Board Floppy
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other
Handle 0×0015, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J9H1 - FRONT PNL
Internal Connector Type: 9 Pin Dual Inline (pin 10 cut)
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other
Handle 0×0016, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J1B1 - CHASSIS REAR FAN
Internal Connector Type: Other
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other
Handle 0×0017, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J2F1 - CPU FAN
Internal Connector Type: Other
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other
Handle 0×0018, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J8B4 - FRONT FAN
Internal Connector Type: Other
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other
Handle 0×0019, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J9G2 - FNT USB
Internal Connector Type: Other
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other
Handle 0x001A, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J6C3 - FP AUD
Internal Connector Type: Other
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other
Handle 0x001B, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J9G1 - CONFIG
Internal Connector Type: Other
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other
Handle 0x001C, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J8C1 - SCSI LED
Internal Connector Type: Other
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other
Handle 0x001D, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J9J2 - INTRUDER
Internal Connector Type: Other
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other
Handle 0x001E, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J9G4 - ITP
Internal Connector Type: Other
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other
Handle 0x001F, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J2H1 - MAIN POWER
Internal Connector Type: Other
External Reference Designator: Not Specified
External Connector Type: None
Port Type: Other
Handle 0×0020, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
Designation: AGP
Type: 32-bit AGP 4x
Current Usage: Available
Length: Short
ID: 0
Characteristics:
3.3 V is provided
Opening is shared
PME signal is supported
Handle 0×0021, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
Designation: PCI1
Type: 32-bit PCI
Current Usage: In Use
Length: Short
ID: 1
Characteristics:
3.3 V is provided
Opening is shared
PME signal is supported
Handle 0×0022, DMI type 10, 6 bytes
On Board Device Information
Type: Video
Status: Enabled
Description: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Handle 0×0023, DMI type 13, 22 bytes
BIOS Language Information
Installable Languages: 1
en|US|iso8859-1
Currently Installed Language: en|US|iso8859-1
Handle 0×0024, DMI type 15, 35 bytes
System Event Log
Area Length: 4 bytes
Header Start Offset: 0×0000
Header Length: 2 bytes
Data Start Offset: 0×0002
Access Method: Indexed I/O, one 16-bit index port, one 8-bit data port
Access Address: Index 0x046A, Data 0x046C
Status: Invalid, Not Full
Change Token: 0×00000000
Header Format: No Header
Supported Log Type Descriptors: 6
Descriptor 1: End of log
Data Format 1: OEM-specific
Descriptor 2: End of log
Data Format 2: OEM-specific
Descriptor 3: End of log
Data Format 3: OEM-specific
Descriptor 4: End of log
Data Format 4: OEM-specific
Descriptor 5: End of log
Data Format 5: OEM-specific
Descriptor 6: End of log
Data Format 6: OEM-specific
Handle 0×0025, DMI type 16, 15 bytes
Physical Memory Array
Location: System Board Or Motherboard
Use: System Memory
Error Correction Type: None
Maximum Capacity: 4 GB
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Number Of Devices: 2
Handle 0×0026, DMI type 19, 15 bytes
Memory Array Mapped Address
Starting Address: 0×00000000000
Ending Address: 0x000400003FF
Range Size: 1048577 kB
Physical Array Handle: 0×0025
Partition Width: 0
Handle 0×0027, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0×0025
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Total Width: Unknown
Data Width: Unknown
Size: No Module Installed
Form Factor: DIMM
Set: None
Locator: DIMM0
Bank Locator: BANK0
Type: DRAM
Type Detail: None
Speed: Unknown
Manufacturer: Manufacturer0
Serial Number: SerNum0
Asset Tag: AssetTagNum0
Part Number: PartNum0
Handle 0×0028, DMI type 20, 19 bytes
Memory Device Mapped Address
Starting Address: 0×00000000000
Ending Address: 0x000000003FF
Range Size: 1 kB
Physical Device Handle: 0×0027
Memory Array Mapped Address Handle: 0×0026
Partition Row Position: 1
Interleaved Data Depth: 1
Handle 0×0029, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0×0025
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Total Width: 64 bits
Data Width: 64 bits
Size: 1024 MB
Form Factor: DIMM
Set: None
Locator: DIMM1
Bank Locator: BANK1
Type: SDRAM
Type Detail: Synchronous
Speed: Unknown
Manufacturer: Manufacturer1
Serial Number: SerNum1
Asset Tag: AssetTagNum1
Part Number: PartNum1
Handle 0x002A, DMI type 20, 19 bytes
Memory Device Mapped Address
Starting Address: 0×00000000000
Ending Address: 0x0003FFFFFFF
Range Size: 1 GB
Physical Device Handle: 0×0029
Memory Array Mapped Address Handle: 0×0026
Partition Row Position: 1
Interleaved Data Depth: 1
Handle 0x002B, DMI type 32, 20 bytes
System Boot Information
Status: No errors detected
Handle 0x002C, DMI type 127, 4 bytes
End Of Table
