Find a system id

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System IDs are unique numbers to keep track of all of the computers Free Geek refurbishes. The System ID is generated from the serial number of the motherboard the system was tested with. System IDs are always six-digit numbers, beginning with 4.

If the motherboard was replaced, or if the system was put together from parts acquired outside of the Volunteer program or warrantied systems in the Store, it is not under warranty.

To reiterate, systems without System IDs are never under warranty. Macs are dealt with on a case-by-case basis as of 2 Nov 2012.

Physical Inspection

Desktop

• The system ID is written on a sticker and applied to the rear of the case, usually near the I/O shield.

Laptop

• The system ID is written on a sticker or written in permanent marker underneath the battery.

Mac

• System IDs are not usually applied to the external system.

Free Geek Software

• If the system has retained its original OS installation, its Printme and System ID can be found under /var/lib/freegeek-extras/printme/.
• Alternatively, you can quickly find a system's history by running list-printmes in a terminal. This will open a web browser and direct you to the System History in the Free Geek Database (FGDB). You must be connected to Free Geek's internal LAN in order to do this.

Unsupported Software

If the system no longer has its original OS installation, you should boot it from a Live image (preferably from the network).

• Run printme in a terminal. You may be prompted with If the system had an id on it already, enter that here: . Leave the prompt blank and hit Enter. A new System ID will be generated, but the system will still be linked to its original system ID (if it has one). Look at the system history of the new ID and you'll see a list of the printme's generated under each system ID assigned to the system. This occurs because a system is identified by the unique serial number on its motherboard. Again, you must be connected to Free Geek's internal LAN in order to do this.

For more information, see here.