Changing Dell service tags on GX series desktops

As we all know Dell has a huge problem with swollen and leaky capacitors on
the GX series desktops including the GX280’s. Their solution to this issue is
to send out another motherboard. This motherboard will be either new (with no
service tag in the bios) or refurbished (with a service tag on the bios).
Here we have started using Dell Open Manage and IT assistant to remotely
manage the bios settings on the desktops. When using this tool to double
check our inventory list we found that a bunch of desktops were missing and
that we had machines that we could not account for.



After a long period of WTFing I realized what Dell had done and found the
following solution:



On most Dell resource disks there is an application call “asset209.exe” this
tool will allow you to view, delete or change your service tag. The problem
is that it is documented incorrectly. The readme file, Dell’s support site
and Dell technical support did not seem to be aware of the “/s” switch which
is use to affect the service tag. The only switches listed are for asset and
owner fields.



To change a service tag using “asset209.exe”:



boot from dell resource CD
choose “Q” to quit the diagnostics and go to command prompt
navigate to “asset209.exe” tools
cd csd\tools\bios
run “asset209.exe”
asset209.exe /s servicetagenteredhere


I hope this is helpful; I spent 1 to many hours trying to find this solution.

Hi please can you tell me how to get new gx280 motherboards from dell?
and what are the symptons of leaky capacitors, as I have to dell optiplex
gx280's that fall to boot/hang (fans go at full speed or screens go blank!)

yours

Neil Spinney


"seri0usblk" wrote:

> As we all know Dell has a huge problem with swollen and leaky capacitors on
> the GX series desktops including the GX280’s. Their solution to this issue is
> to send out another motherboard. This motherboard will be either new (with no
> service tag in the bios) or refurbished (with a service tag on the bios).
> Here we have started using Dell Open Manage and IT assistant to remotely
> manage the bios settings on the desktops. When using this tool to double
> check our inventory list we found that a bunch of desktops were missing and
> that we had machines that we could not account for.
>
>
>
> After a long period of WTFing I realized what Dell had done and found the
> following solution:
>
>
>
> On most Dell resource disks there is an application call “asset209.exe” this
> tool will allow you to view, delete or change your service tag. The problem
> is that it is documented incorrectly. The readme file, Dell’s support site
> and Dell technical support did not seem to be aware of the “/s” switch which
> is use to affect the service tag. The only switches listed are for asset and
> owner fields.
>
>
>
> To change a service tag using “asset209.exe”:
>
>
>
> boot from dell resource CD
> choose “Q” to quit the diagnostics and go to command prompt
> navigate to “asset209.exe” tools
> cd csd\tools\bios
> run “asset209.exe”
> asset209.exe /s servicetagenteredhere
>
>
> I hope this is helpful; I spent 1 to many hours trying to find this solution.
>

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=bad+caps

Neil Spinney wrote:
> Hi please can you tell me how to get new gx280 motherboards from dell?
> and what are the symptons of leaky capacitors, as I have to dell optiplex
> gx280's that fall to boot/hang (fans go at full speed or screens go blank!)
>
> yours
>
> Neil Spinney
>
>
> "seri0usblk" wrote:
>
>
>>As we all know Dell has a huge problem with swollen and leaky capacitors on
>>the GX series desktops including the GX280’s. Their solution to this issue is
>>to send out another motherboard. This motherboard will be either new (with no
>>service tag in the bios) or refurbished (with a service tag on the bios).
>>Here we have started using Dell Open Manage and IT assistant to remotely
>>manage the bios settings on the desktops. When using this tool to double
>>check our inventory list we found that a bunch of desktops were missing and
>>that we had machines that we could not account for.
>>
>>
>>
>>After a long period of WTFing I realized what Dell had done and found the
>>following solution:
>>
>>
>>
>>On most Dell resource disks there is an application call “asset209.exe” this
>>tool will allow you to view, delete or change your service tag. The problem
>>is that it is documented incorrectly. The readme file, Dell’s support site
>>and Dell technical support did not seem to be aware of the “/s” switch which
>>is use to affect the service tag. The only switches listed are for asset and
>>owner fields.
>>
>>
>>
>>To change a service tag using “asset209.exe”:
>>
>>
>>
>>boot from dell resource CD
>>choose “Q” to quit the diagnostics and go to command prompt
>>navigate to “asset209.exe” tools
>>cd csd\tools\bios
>>run “asset209.exe”
>>asset209.exe /s servicetagenteredhere
>>
>>
>>I hope this is helpful; I spent 1 to many hours trying to find this solution.
>>

Hi please can you tell me how to get new gx280 motherboards from dell?

In order to get parts from Dell at no cost you must have a service plan with
Dell. If you have a service plan on your machine you must contact Dell
support at 1-866-876-3355. Dell will troubleshoot your issue on the phone and
take appropriate action. If you do not have a service plan you should be able
to contact Dell at the same number and choose all the options that will lead
you to a customer service representative. They should be able to direct you
to the out of warranty repair department. However, I do not think that it
would be worth the money to repair it due to the cost and the fact that the
replacement motherboard could have the same problem.

and what are the symptoms of leaky capacitors?

If you look down at your motherboard (and the top of the capacitors) their
silver tops should be perfectly flat. If it looks like it is swollen or if it
is leaking brown ooze then you have a leaky capacitor.

Here is a pic of a leaky capacitor (not from a dell just one in general)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...pacitor_01.jpg

If you have a dell service plan either of these are grounds for immediate
replacement. If not, you would have to contact Dell for more direction.

Hope this helps!


"Neil Spinney" wrote:

> Hi please can you tell me how to get new gx280 motherboards from dell?
> and what are the symptons of leaky capacitors, as I have to dell optiplex
> gx280's that fall to boot/hang (fans go at full speed or screens go blank!)
>
> yours
>
> Neil Spinney
>
>
> "seri0usblk" wrote:
>
> > As we all know Dell has a huge problem with swollen and leaky capacitors on
> > the GX series desktops including the GX280’s. Their solution to this issue is
> > to send out another motherboard. This motherboard will be either new (with no
> > service tag in the bios) or refurbished (with a service tag on the bios).
> > Here we have started using Dell Open Manage and IT assistant to remotely
> > manage the bios settings on the desktops. When using this tool to double
> > check our inventory list we found that a bunch of desktops were missing and
> > that we had machines that we could not account for.
> >
> >
> >
> > After a long period of WTFing I realized what Dell had done and found the
> > following solution:
> >
> >
> >
> > On most Dell resource disks there is an application call “asset209.exe” this
> > tool will allow you to view, delete or change your service tag. The problem
> > is that it is documented incorrectly. The readme file, Dell’s support site
> > and Dell technical support did not seem to be aware of the “/s” switch which
> > is use to affect the service tag. The only switches listed are for asset and
> > owner fields.
> >
> >
> >
> > To change a service tag using “asset209.exe”:
> >
> >
> >
> > boot from dell resource CD
> > choose “Q” to quit the diagnostics and go to command prompt
> > navigate to “asset209.exe” tools
> > cd csd\tools\bios
> > run “asset209.exe”
> > asset209.exe /s servicetagenteredhere
> >
> >
> > I hope this is helpful; I spent 1 to many hours trying to find this solution.
> >

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search
--
Dave Vair
CNE, CNA, MCP, A+, N+

"seri0usblk" <seri0usblk@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:16ECBAB3-4AE6-4304-BB4D-078EB7277ACA@microsoft.com...
> Hi please can you tell me how to get new gx280 motherboards from dell?
>
> In order to get parts from Dell at no cost you must have a service plan with
> Dell. If you have a service plan on your machine you must contact Dell
> support at 1-866-876-3355. Dell will troubleshoot your issue on the phone and
> take appropriate action. If you do not have a service plan you should be able
> to contact Dell at the same number and choose all the options that will lead
> you to a customer service representative. They should be able to direct you
> to the out of warranty repair department. However, I do not think that it
> would be worth the money to repair it due to the cost and the fact that the
> replacement motherboard could have the same problem.
>
> and what are the symptoms of leaky capacitors?
>
> If you look down at your motherboard (and the top of the capacitors) their
> silver tops should be perfectly flat. If it looks like it is swollen or if it
> is leaking brown ooze then you have a leaky capacitor.
>
> Here is a pic of a leaky capacitor (not from a dell just one in general)
>
> http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...pacitor_01.jpg
>
> If you have a dell service plan either of these are grounds for immediate
> replacement. If not, you would have to contact Dell for more direction.
>
> Hope this helps!
>
>
> "Neil Spinney" wrote:
>
>> Hi please can you tell me how to get new gx280 motherboards from dell?
>> and what are the symptons of leaky capacitors, as I have to dell optiplex
>> gx280's that fall to boot/hang (fans go at full speed or screens go blank!)
>>
>> yours
>>
>> Neil Spinney
>>
>>
>> "seri0usblk" wrote:
>>
>> > As we all know Dell has a huge problem with swollen and leaky capacitors on
>> > the GX series desktops including the GX280's. Their solution to this issue is
>> > to send out another motherboard. This motherboard will be either new (with no
>> > service tag in the bios) or refurbished (with a service tag on the bios).
>> > Here we have started using Dell Open Manage and IT assistant to remotely
>> > manage the bios settings on the desktops. When using this tool to double
>> > check our inventory list we found that a bunch of desktops were missing and
>> > that we had machines that we could not account for.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > After a long period of WTFing I realized what Dell had done and found the
>> > following solution:
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > On most Dell resource disks there is an application call "asset209.exe" this
>> > tool will allow you to view, delete or change your service tag. The problem
>> > is that it is documented incorrectly. The readme file, Dell's support site
>> > and Dell technical support did not seem to be aware of the "/s" switch which
>> > is use to affect the service tag. The only switches listed are for asset and
>> > owner fields.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > To change a service tag using "asset209.exe":
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > boot from dell resource CD
>> > choose "Q" to quit the diagnostics and go to command prompt
>> > navigate to "asset209.exe" tools
>> > cd csd\tools\bios
>> > run "asset209.exe"
>> > asset209.exe /s servicetagenteredhere
>> >
>> >
>> > I hope this is helpful; I spent 1 to many hours trying to find this solution.
>> >

Contact Dell's technical support for warranty service.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

Just to let everyone know, I have contacted Dell and they are replacing my
motherboard FOC!

Yours Very happy

Neil Spinney

[wexmary]

It ain't necessarily so.

The Asset209.exe changes the ASSET tag, NOT the Service Tag in the BIOS. Mr. Spinney and all the Dell documentation say it is the same thing but if you look in the BIOS of this or other Dells (I use a 745), they are two independent and separate numbers that CAN be different.

Asset209 does NOT change a Service Tag #$, neither does switching jumpers or removing the battery.

Back to square one, folks.

[technoob101]

hey guys..

I found the answer to this one.

When you get to the dos screen where you can change your asset and owner tags.. what you do is type

asset /s <insert service tag>

THIS WILL input the name into the service tag area.

I just finished doing this literally 5 minutes ago, and now i'm able to reimage this damn dell optiplex 270 machine finally. Geez it took me awhile to figure this one out!!!

I accidently put the asset tag in as the same, but you can delete that by doing asset /d .

SERVICE TAG FTW FOLKS!