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Asked: 2024-09-25T04:48:48+05:30 In:

What command-line methods can I use to find out the BIOS version of my motherboard in Ubuntu?

I’ve been tinkering with my Linux setup on Ubuntu, and I hit a bit of a wall. I need to find out the BIOS version of my motherboard for some troubleshooting. I’ve been reading through forums and various guides, but it seems like there are quite a few command-line methods out there.

At first, I tried looking through the graphical user interface, but it just wasn’t giving me the detailed info that I needed. Plus, I feel more at home in the terminal anyway! So I jumped in there, but honestly, I wasn’t sure where to start. I’ve come across commands like `dmidecode`, which seems to be a popular choice, but I’m not entirely clear on how to use it effectively. I’ve seen it mentioned a ton but never actually executed it myself.

Also, I saw a mention of using `cat /sys/class/dmi/id/bios_version`, which sounds straightforward enough, but I’m not sure if that’s a reliable method or just for getting the version number without additional context. Other users have talked about `lshw` and `inxi` as well, which I’ve heard do more than just report the BIOS version—like providing loads of other useful hardware info.

I’m just looking for clarity on what methods I should really consider. Which commands have worked best for you guys? Are there any pitfalls to be aware of while using these commands? Can anyone share a quick rundown or maybe a step-by-step guide on how to retrieve this info smoothly?

Oh, and please avoid any jargon that could get confusing. I’m more of a medium-level user, so keep it user-friendly! Your insights could really help me understand the best way to get this info on my system without driving myself crazy in the terminal. Thanks a lot!

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    2 Answers



    1. Finding BIOS Version on Ubuntu

      How to Check Your BIOS Version in Ubuntu

      If you’re feeling a bit stuck trying to find your BIOS version on Ubuntu, don’t worry! There are a few commands you can use that won’t overcomplicate things. Here’s a simple rundown of the methods you can try:

      1. Using dmidecode

      This is probably the most popular tool for gathering system info, including BIOS details. Here’s how to use it:

      1. Open your terminal (you can do this by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T).
      2. Type the following command and press Enter:
        3. sudo dmidecode -s bios-version
      3. You’ll see your BIOS version displayed on the next line. Don’t worry about the sudo part; it just means you’ll need to enter your password.

      2. Using cat Command

      If you want something quick and straightforward, this is a solid choice:

      1. In the terminal, type:
        2. cat /sys/class/dmi/id/bios_version
      2. Your BIOS version will show up immediately.

      3. Using lshw

      This one gives you lots of hardware info. It might be a bit overwhelming if you’re only looking for the BIOS version, but still useful for detailed insights:

      1. Type this in the terminal:
        2. sudo lshw -short
      2. Search through the output for your BIOS version—it should be listed there.

      4. Using inxi

      If you want a full picture of your system along with the BIOS info, inxi is fantastic. First, you may need to install it:

      1. Run:
        2. sudo apt install inxi
      2. Once it’s installed, type:
        3. inxi -M
      3. This should show you your BIOS version along with other info about your motherboard.

      Final Tips

      All these methods are generally safe, but you should try to run commands as sudo only when necessary (like with dmidecode, lshw, and inxi) because it gives them the necessary permissions to access hardware details.

      Feel free to explore these commands and see what works best for you! Happy tinkering!


    2. On Ubuntu, finding out your BIOS version can be done efficiently using the terminal. One of the most reliable methods is to use the dmidecode command, which extracts hardware information from the system’s BIOS. To do this, open your terminal and simply type sudo dmidecode -s bios-version. This will require your administrator password, as it needs elevated permissions to access this information. The output will display the BIOS version directly. Just keep in mind that you need to have dmidecode installed; typically, it comes pre-installed on Ubuntu, but you can install it via sudo apt install dmidecode if needed. Another straightforward command is cat /sys/class/dmi/id/bios_version, which will show you the BIOS version without a lot of additional info, offering a quick look at the necessary details.

      If you’re interested in additional information about your hardware, you might also consider using lshw or inxi, both of which provide extensive hardware details. Simply run sudo lshw | grep -A 10 'BIOS' to get a range of BIOS-related information along with other hardware specifications. For inxi, if installed, use inxi -M to get motherboard information, including the BIOS version. While using these commands, be mindful that running them with sudo may output more information than expected, so you might want to redirect the output to a text file using command > output.txt for easier reading. All in all, dmidecode and cat are likely the most straightforward options if you’re just looking for the BIOS version.

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