WMI Does Not Return SMBIOS Data (260710)

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 hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that this article describes. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem.

To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual 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.

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

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.

REFERENCES

For additional information about Windows 95 hotfixes, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

161020 Implementing Windows 95 Updates

For additional information about Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition hotfixes, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

206071 General Information on Windows 98 and SE Hotfixes

For additional information about Windows Me hotfixes, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

295413 General Information About Windows Millennium Edition Hotfixes