Microsoft KB Archive/260710

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WMI Does Not Return SMBIOS Data

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Q260710

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Windows Management Instrumentation, version 1.5, used with:
 * the operating system: Microsoft Windows 95
 * the operating system: Microsoft Windows 98
 * the operating system: Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition

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SYMPTOMS
On a System Management BIOS (SMBIOS) 2.1 or later-based computer with Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Millennium Edition (Me) and Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) 1.5 installed, the Win32_Bios properties are empty.

CAUSE
During the Windows boot process, the Smbdpmi.exe driver copies the SMBIOS data from memory to a file named Smbios.dat in the System folder. According to the SMBIOS specification, the SMBIOS data should be contained in a block of conventional memory below 1 megabyte (0F0000 to 0FFFFF). On some computers, however, the SMBIOS data is located above 1 megabyte (100000) in the High Memory area. On these computers, the Smbdpmi.exe driver cannot locate the SMBIOS data in memory and therefore creates an empty 4-byte Smbios.dat file.

RESOLUTION
A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem described in this article and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem.

To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

http://support.microsoft.com/directory/overview.asp

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are normally incurred for support calls may be canceled, if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. Normal support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The English-language version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:

  Date         Time      Size    File name    Operating system -   9 Jun 2000   8:32:24  17,334  Smbdpmi.exe  Windows 95/Windows 98 22 May 2001 11:13:02  17,334  Smbdpmi.exe  Windows Me

How to Use the Hotfix Installer
NOTE: You can use this method only on Intel-based computers.


 * 1) Copy the hotfix file (Q260710.exe) to a local folder on your computer, or copy the file to a share on your network.
 * 2) Run the Q260710.exe file and follow the instructions.
 * 3) Reboot your computer.

STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows Management Instrumentation version 1.5.

MORE INFORMATION
This issue does not affect Microsoft Windows NT 4.0-based or Microsoft Windows 2000-based computers.

The WMI Win32 provider cannot obtain Win32_Bios properties on computers that do not support SMBIOS 2.1 or later.

SMBIOS upgrades may be available from the computer manufacturer.

Additional query words: smbdpmi q260710

Keywords : kbenv kbtool win95 win98 kbsms200 kbWinME

Issue type : kbbug

Technology : kbWMISearch kbAudDeveloper