I wouldn't be too worried about the Service Tag information missing from the BIOS. The important question is; does the laptop have the Service Tag and Express Service Code sticker on the bottom of the case?

 

 

The only reason I can think of is they didn't want anyone going to the Dell website, keying in the service tag and seeing who had originally bought the laptop. But, the fact is that the service tag is the serial number. What is Dell's position on laptops with the service tag removed?  Will they service them?   Is this normal practice when selling used Dell laptops?

 

 

Quite honestly I would be concerned if I obtained a laptop with all of the serial numbers removed. I would seriously question it's origin.

 

Hi, it doesnt appear to have a sticker on the bottom. My Dell laptop has one on the bottom but it looks as though there used to be one but was removed. I can tell because of a little sticky residue.

I think it was a company that was selling quite a few of this particular model on ebay at a bargain price. Sounds very dodgy.

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@jgayman wrote:

Is this normal practice when selling used Dell laptops?

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Nope, removing the service tag is not a common practice, however the sticker underneath can wear off or become obliterated in normal use. If the motherboard is replaced the service tag may not be reinstated either because of ignorance or forgetfulness. I can't really see any reason why someone would want to remove the service tag (unless the laptop had been stolen). If you are offered a laptop were both are missing it should ring alarm bells, but you should not jump to the conclusion that the laptop is stolen.

Service Tag being blanked out is a totally different issue.  This smacks of filing off the serial number on a gun cuz its stolen and you dont want it to be traced.

The Asset utility will put a tag in IF the board has been wiped.

However it only lets you do this 1 time.

Service Tag Changer (CDROM or Floppy)
There is a hidden switch in the utility
asset209.com /s (current service tag) is the correct syntax to update the
service tag.
For instance:
A: > Asset209.com /s ABCDEFG

This will let you put a tag onto a blank board. It will NOT however allow you to delete a tag.

ASSET 209   Asset Version 2.09

Release Title: System Utilities:
Dell Asset Utility, Utility, English, Multi System, 2.09

Release Date: 09/27/2005
Description: Asset Utility

ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/utility/R109071.exe

Utility : Dell Asset Utility
Version 2.09
For DC051, DXP051, DXC051, DM051, DE051, DXP061, DXC061, DM061, DV051; Dimension : 8300 / 8300N, 2400, 4700, XPS Gen 3, 8400, 4700C, 5000, 3000, 9100, XPS (Gen 5), XPS Gen 4, 5100C, 5100; OptiPlex : SX280, GX630, GX530, GX620, GX520, 210L, 170L, GX280, 160L, SX270 / SX270N, GX60, GX270 / GX270N; Precision : 360 / 360N, 670, 470, 370, 380, WS390, 690, 490
On Not Applicable
Languages : English