dmidecode cheat sheet

The dmidecode command is a DMI table decoder and makes the available information human readable. The related specification SMBIOS defines the available DMI types.

Basics

Dmidecode can query a several pieces of information. One of the methods to query is using the hardware type. This uses the --type followed by a number or keyword.

When using dmidecode, root privileges are usualy required to read the information.

Types and keywords

Type	Keyword	Information
0	bios	BIOS
1	system	System
2	baseboard	Baseboard
3	chassis	Chassis
4	processor	Processor
5	memory	Memory Controller
6	memory	Memory Module
7	cache	Cache
8	connector	Port Connector
9	slot	System Slots
10	baseboard	On Board Devices
11	-	OEM Strings
12	system	System Configuration Options
13	bios	BIOS Language
14	-	Group Associations
15	system	System Event Log
16	memory	Physical Memory Array
17	memory	Memory Device
18	-	32-bit Memory Error
19	-	Memory Array Mapped Address
20	-	Memory Device Mapped Address
21	-	Built-in Pointing Device
22	-	Portable Battery
23	system	System Reset
24	-	Hardware Security
25	-	System Power Controls
26	-	Voltage Probe
27	-	Cooling Device
28	-	Temperature Probe
29	-	Electrical Current Probe
30	-	Out-of-band Remote Access
31	-	Boot Integrity Services
32	system	System Boot
33	-	64-bit Memory Error
34	-	Management Device
35	-	Management Device Component
36	-	Management Device Threshold Data
37	-	Memory Channel
38	-	IPMI Device
39	-	Power Supply
40	-	Additional Information
41	baseboard	Onboard Devices Extended Information
42	-	Management Controller Host Interface

Strings

Besides the types, it is also possible to provide a keyword to the --string option. This will reveal very specific details about the system, typically a single item.

baseboard-asset-tag
baseboard-manufacturer
baseboard-product-name
baseboard-serial-number
baseboard-version
bios-release-date
bios-revision
bios-vendor
bios-version
chassis-asset-tag
chassis-manufacturer
chassis-serial-number
chassis-type
chassis-version
firmware-revision
processor-family
processor-frequency
processor-manufacturer
processor-version
system-family
system-manufacturer
system-product-name
system-version
system-serial-number
system-sku-number
system-uuid

BIOS

The information about the BIOS can be displayed with --typebios, which includes several types.

# dmidecode --type bios
# dmidecode 3.3
Getting SMBIOS data from sysfs.
SMBIOS 3.3.0 present.

Handle 0x0000, DMI type 0, 26 bytes
BIOS Information
	Vendor: Intel Corp.
	Version: PXXXXX.0000.111.1234
	Release Date: 01/24/2024
	Address: 0xF0000
	Runtime Size: 64 kB
	ROM Size: 0 MB
	Characteristics:
		PCI is supported
		BIOS is upgradeable
		BIOS shadowing is allowed
		Boot from CD is supported
		Selectable boot is supported
		BIOS ROM is socketed
		EDD is supported
		Japanese floppy for NEC 9800 1.2 MB is supported (int 13h)
		Japanese floppy for Toshiba 1.2 MB is supported (int 13h)
		5.25"/360 kB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
		5.25"/1.2 MB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
		3.5"/720 kB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
		3.5"/2.88 MB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
		Print screen service is supported (int 5h)
		Serial services are supported (int 14h)
		Printer services are supported (int 17h)
		CGA/mono video services are supported (int 10h)
		ACPI is supported
		USB legacy is supported
		BIOS boot specification is supported
		Targeted content distribution is supported
		UEFI is supported
	BIOS Revision: 7.23
	Firmware Revision: 12.23

Handle 0x0031, DMI type 13, 22 bytes
BIOS Language Information
	Language Description Format: Long
	Installable Languages: 1
		en|US|iso8859-1
	Currently Installed Language: en|US|iso8859-1

Handle 0x0058, DMI type 13, 22 bytes
BIOS Language Information
	Language Description Format: Abbreviated
	Installable Languages: 1
		enUS
	Currently Installed Language: enUS

BIOS version

The version of the BIOS can be retrieved using --stringbios-version and will only return its value. Great for automation purposes.

dmidecode --string bios-version

Memory

Show all memory information can be done using the memory keyword.

dmidecode --type memory

Memory modules

To list only the memory modules, define the numeric type.

dmidecode --type 17