[Ham-Computers] RE: Motherboard ID Help

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

Hi Paul,

Not much info to go on as most of those parts are pretty generic.  When the
system first starts up and shows you the "POST" banner (BIOS info, RAM Test,
drive detection, etc), there might be a model name or number displayed
somehere on the screen.  Often, on AWARD BIOS systems, the vendor will
customize the display to show the vendor and model ID's right between the
"Award BIOS vX.XX.XX" banner and the RAM test/count.  Also on AWARD BIOS
systems, look for the multi-character/digit BIOS information "tag" that
shows up as the last line on the bottom of the POST banner.  This last line
is coded by AWARD and usually includes the vendor ID and the vendor model
number.

HINT:  While the RAM count (or IDE drive detection) is occuring, press the
"Pause" key.  This should "pause" the system until you press another key to
"un-pause".  This will give you more time to look for the details of your
system on the POST page.

Otherwise, it's back to looking for something on silk-screened or masked on
the motherboard itself.  Numbers from the chips and components will only
give you a general idea of what the motherboard is, but it won't give you
the manufacturer's info.

BTW, some companies intentionally leave off any identifying information on
the board - either they're fly-by-night companies, or, the board was OEM'd
to another company and that company is supposed to supply support (e.g. the
board was sold at a lower cost without any end-user support structure).
Quite common.  For example, if you have a problem with the alternator in
your car, do you go to the maker of the alternator (e.g. BOSCH), or do you
take the car back to the service shop?

I digress.  Again, look for POST "tags" or markings on the motherboard
itself.  One more thing...what color is the motherboard?   I know, strange
question.  But, a couple of motherboard companies have distinguished
themselves by using unique motherboard colors.  Might point you in the right
direction.

73,

  - Aaron Hsu, NN6O (ex-KD6DAE)
    {nn6o}@arrl.net
    {athsu}@nbcuni.com
    No-QRO Int'l #1,000,006
    . -..- - .-. .-   ".... . .- ...- -.--"
 


-----Original Message-----
From: ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of
Paulahkolik at aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 4:11 PM
To: ham-computers at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Ham-Computers] Motherboard ID Help


Greetings to the list.

I just got a "new" motherboard, running a 1.1 GHz Duron, which is all I can 
tell about it. I need to know how is the best way to go about determining
the 
make and model, especially since I need some video and audio drivers, that 
aren't on my Win 98 disk.

If need be, I can email pictures off-list.

The only thing I've found are the following serial/parts numbers.

On the printer port. EA=000E69C96F0, followed by J02144F30701163

On The BIOS Chip. (Don't quote me on this one) M (or N) 812LM V7.1A, on the 
1st 
sticker, and 686 AMIBIOS SC00 0640

On the USB, Mouse, & KB ports, there is a "stamp" that says AMP

On the chip next to the BIOS chip & CMOS battery. ITE IT8705F 0301-FXS
MFYY03

On the board above the mouse & KB ports. (Partial number?) KBMSI (KBMS1?)

On the "Crystal" below the AMR slot. K T S  KDN4350HC 25.0000 MHz 0283  JPS

The only other thing I've been able to determine, is that it'll run on
either 
PC100 or PC133 Ram, configurable in BIOS.

Please help if you can.

Thanks.
Paul W5PDA/4