Dell Express Service Code

Dell service tag format is either 7 or 5 characters. Dell Express Service Code format is either 8/10/11 digits. Both service tags and express service codes are directly related. Given one type, the other can be computed.


Dell's service tag numbers are alpha-numeric sequences used as serial numbers for the equipment they sell. They are helpful when getting support, but must be converted to numerical sequences called Express Service Codes when using Dell's automated phone help. This allows purchasers to more easily key them in on a standard touch-tone pad.

Dell computers include a little converter program that allows users to convert alpha-numeric "service tags" into number-only "Express Service Codes" when dialing in to the support line.


Service Tag is a base-36 integer (composed of digits [0-9A-Z]).  Once you have the Service Tag, you can calculate express service code yourself. Express Service Code is base-10 decimal integer of Service Tag. Dell uses express service code mainly for their support call-routing. When you call dell support, their automated call-routing system may ask you to enter express service code, which you can easily enter in your telephone, as it is just a bunch of numbers, instead of characters.


Use the following online tools to find express service code from service tag and vice-versa.

• Creativyst Dell-Number Widget
• Dell PC service tag/code converter from PowerDog Industries

Dell Service Tag

If you are running Linux, the following command will show you the service tag:

root@bt:/etc# dmidecode -s system-serial-number

ABCDE1S

root@bt:/etc# dmidecode --type 1

# dmidecode 2.9

SMBIOS 2.4 present.

Handle 0x0100, DMI type 1, 27 bytes

System Information

        Manufacturer: Dell Inc.

        Product Name: Latitude D620

        Version: Not Specified

        Serial Number: ABCDE1S

        Wake-up Type: Power Switch

        SKU Number: Not Specified

        Family:

If you are using Windows, use this command:

C:\>wmic bios get serialnumber

SerialNumber

ABCDEF1

C:\>wmic csproduct get vendor,name,identifyingnumber

IdentifyingNumber    Name                Vendor

ABCDEF1              PowerEdge 2950      Dell Inc.

'Michael, what the Dell?'

What the _Dell_?

>>> http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20006011-54.html

Google Vs PacMan

Google has a permanent page for PacMan now.

If you still recall that when Google was celebrating 30’th anniversary (May 21, 2010) of the most successful game, Pac-Man, it caused a waste of 4.82 million hours.

References:

• Play Pac-Man at Google Homepage, even multi-player.
• How To Embed Google Homepage Doodle Pac-Man Game On A Website Or Blog?

Building Your Own Malware Lab

There are 2 nice articles that show you how to build your own malware lab. See if any of the tools below in your own check list. Here's the summary:

1. Upload the suspicious file to VirusTotal.
2. Detect and monitor the changes made by isolating execution using Sandboxie.
3. Analyzing malware and tracing of all system calls with CWSandbox.
4. Obtain an automated threat analysis design with ThreatExpert.
5. Analyzing suspicious network traffic with Anubis.
6. Analyzing PDF, flash, and JavaScript with Wepawet.
7. Examine multiple aspects of a PE using MANDIANT Red Curtain.

Reference:

• Build your OWN malware lab (part1)
• Build your OWN malware lab (part 2)