hmm, why do you suspect it's the wrong tag?

The real question is does the notebook work? Can you access the BIOS and make changes to it? Does the unit boot and run with little or no problems?

The service tag is really not needed for a older out of warranty notebook unless you are having a problem getting in to the BIOS or there has been a password set on the BIOS or the HDD.

If the ownership was not transferred to you by the original owner or last owner that was registered as the real owner Dell won't even talk to you with or without the real service tag.  Just why do you thing it's not the right service tag in the BIOS? Does it say something like "Field". Have you done a search of the service tag number on the Dell website?

It could be that it is a frankenstein, made up from working parts of many notebook.

Dell told me that the service tag # wasn't a tag #, (it's 2BAT2). Yes I can change the bios, I did a flash bios last week with no problems. The notebook works fine, I was just having trouble with it recognizing the battery. I was just wanting a correct tag # so I could get tech support from Dell if I needed to. The person I bought the notebook from didn't have the manuals or cd's that came with it anymore. I ask him to transfer it into my name with Dell but I don't know if he did.

How do you know what the correct tag number is then?

I don't know what the right service tag # is. That's what I'm trying to find out & Dell can't seem to help me!

Right - all the info they need is missing.