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I am Trying to have my unattend.xml file make the hostname of the new image to be the Serial of the BIOS. I honestly don't care how or what language it's done in. Reading I have come this far but I am stuck.

I Get this error

4 Answers

$Serial does not return anything until you assign it a value. You can perform a WMI call to get the serial number.

Then your Rename-Computer cmdlet should work fine (you do not need the parenthesis around $Serial, though it won't hurt anything to have them there). For that matter, the only thing you need to supply, if you are renaming the local computer, is the new name. So this should work:

Since you tagged vbscript, here is a untested vbs solution. This allows you to rename computers remotely. You can modify it and have it execute after imaging is done or on first reboot.

I love One-Liner (probably because i use it from an batch..)

powershell rename-computer (gwmi win32_bios).serialnumber

Of course it needs an Boot.

Since the original error stipulated that a serial number had been passed from the GWMI query to the restart-computer cmdlet, I suspect the command is being performed without the proper credentials. As such, you may try adding -localcredential with a known local machine administrative user/pass.

You will be prompted for credentials. There are various other script examples if you prefer automating the passing of credentials to the cmdlet.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged windowspowershellvbscript or ask your own question.

Your BIOS serial is saved via software, not hardware. Like anything else that's software based, the BIOS serial can be changed. The serial number data, as well as date and time are kept running even when the computer is powered off through a tiny battery called the CMOS battery. By turning off the CMOS battery, you can force the motherboard to lose it's BIOS serial number data and automatically generate a random new number when its rebooted.

Turn off your computer and disconnect any power cables coming to the computer. Touch your hands on a metallic surface that's grounded to discharge any static electricity on your hands.

Unscrew the screws on the exterior of the computer and open the computer case. Look for the motherboard, which holds the CPU. Locate the CMOS battery, which looks like a coin roughly half an inch wide.

Pull up the clip that holds the battery in place. Lift out the battery. If there is no battery clip, use two fingers to pry the battery out. In either case, it should be relatively easy to get the battery out. Do not use excessive force.

Wait 30 seconds to make sure the power to the CMOS is completely drained.

Place the battery back into its socket.

Turn on the computer. Press 'F1,' 'F2,' 'F12' or 'Del' to enter setup mode. Your BIOS serial number should be changed. Note that you'll also lose data on additional drives to connect on startup, any custom BIOS settings, BIOS passwords as well as time and date. Change all the necessary settings, save your changes and reboot.

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