[How To] Find Motherboard Model in Linux

[How To] Find the Motherboard Model in Linux: A Comprehensive Guide As a Linux user, it may become necessary to determine the motherboard model of your computer for various reasons. Unlike Windows, which has numerous programs that can solve this problem, Linux requires a bit more effort. Fortunately, there are several utilities that can help you find the motherboard model in Linux. In this article, we will explore the most effective ways to find the motherboard model in Linux.

Method 1: File System /sys

One of the easiest ways to find the motherboard model in Linux is by accessing the /sys file system. This file system contains information about all computer hardware and the operating system, including the manufacturer, model, and version of the motherboard. To access this information, enter the following command in the terminal:

$ cat /sys/devices/virtual/dmi/id/board_{vendor,name,version}

Intel Corporation
440BX Desktop Reference Platform
None

Method 2: dmidecode utility

Another effective way to find the motherboard model in Linux is by using the dmidecode utility. This utility allows you to view the information recorded in the DMI. To display information about the motherboard, use the -t option with a value of 2.

$ sudo dmidecode -t 2

# dmidecode 3.2
Getting SMBIOS data from sysfs.
SMBIOS 2.7 present.

Handle 0x0002, DMI type 2, 15 bytes
Base Board Information
        Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
        Product Name: 440BX Desktop Reference Platform
        Version: None
        Serial Number: None
        Asset Tag: Not Specified
        Features: None
        Location In Chassis: Not Specified
        Chassis Handle: 0x0000
        Type: Unknown
        Contained Object Handles: 0

Method 3: hardinfo utility

The hardinfo program allows you to view information about computer hardware in a graphical interface. To install this program, use the following command:

sudo apt install hardinfo

Once installed, launch the program to see all board information.

Method 4: CPU-G utility

The CPU-G program is another effective way to find the motherboard model in Linux. It is an analog of the popular CPU-Z utility in Windows, and it allows you to see most of the characteristics of the processor in a graphical interface. To install this utility, you must use PPA. Once installed, open the program and navigate to the Motherboard tab. Here, you will find information about the BIOS version, BIOS release date, and board information.

  sudo add-apt-repository ppa:atareao/atareao

Once installed, launch the program and open the Motherboard tab. This tab displays the BIOS version, BIOS release date, and board information.

Method 5: Command lshw

The lshw command displays information about the motherboard at the very beginning of its output. Here, in addition to the manufacturer and model of the board, the current BIOS version is displayed, which can be very convenient if you are preparing to update the BIOS.

  $ sudo lshw
  
  *-core
       description: Motherboard
       product: 440BX Desktop Reference Platform
       vendor: Intel Corporation
       physical id: 0
       version: None
       serial: None

Method 6: dmesg log

The BIOS version and motherboard model can be found in the dmesg kernel log. To access this information, filter the DMI line using the following command:

 $ dmesg | grep DMI:
  [    0.000000] DMI: VMware, Inc. VMware Virtual Platform/440BX Desktop Reference Platform, BIOS 6.00 04/13/2018  

Method 7: Using hwinfo utility

The hwinfo utility is a powerful hardware information tool that can be used to find the motherboard version in Linux. To install this utility, use the following command:

sudo apt install hwinfo

Once installed, launch the utility and navigate to the Motherboard section. Here, you will find information about the motherboard model, manufacturer, and BIOS version.

Method 8: Using inxi utility

The inxi utility is a command-line tool that can be used to find detailed information about the system hardware, including the motherboard version. To install this utility, use the following command:

sudo apt install inxi

Once installed, run the following command to display the motherboard information:

inxi -M

This will display the motherboard model, vendor, and BIOS version.

Method 9: Using lsusb command

The lsusb command is a utility that displays information about USB buses and the devices connected to them. It can also be used to find the motherboard version in Linux. Run the following command in the terminal:

lsusb -v | grep -i -A12 "product id"

This will display the product ID of the motherboard, which can be used to identify the manufacturer and model.

Method 10: Video Tutorial

For a more visual approach, you can refer to this video tutorial:

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored several effective ways to find the motherboard version in Linux. From accessing the /sys file system to using command-line tools like hwinfo and inxi, there are plenty of options available. By using these methods, Linux users can easily find the information they need about their computer hardware.