Desktop vs laptop BIOS

Discussion in 'BIOS Mods' started by ralf ralf, Aug 30, 2023.

  1. ralf ralf

    ralf ralf MDL Member

    May 11, 2017
    148
    24
    10
    Hi,
    does anyone know what a bios is classified by desktop or laptop!??
    Which identifier in the bios plays a role!?
    Greetz
     
  2. taojung

    taojung MDL Novice

    May 30, 2011
    11
    0
    0
    Hey there,

    This might not be a straightforward answer, but if you think about the main differences between desktop and laptop computers, there's one aspect that stands out - the RAM modules. Even so, I just recently wrote about Epson's ultra-compact desktop computer somewhere else, and they've actually used the same type of RAM modules that are commonly found in laptops. This decision was likely made to achieve the ultra-compact size they were aiming for with that desktop model.
     
  3. ralf ralf

    ralf ralf MDL Member

    May 11, 2017
    148
    24
    10
    I was not interested in a discussion of principles! I just wanted to know what parameters are set in the bios that distinguish a laptop and desktop. Are there identifiers or the like in the bios! Or do you just have to rewrite the DMI table and that's it?
     
  4. Tito

    Tito Super Mod / Adviser
    Staff Member

    Nov 30, 2009
    18,522
    18,170
    340
    @ralf ralf

    Instead of spamming the forums, it would be better if you state your end goal.

    In a nutshell, a firmware image of a BIOS isn't designed to target the form factor of the PC. When it comes to probing the hardware to discover the model information or what devices are present in the computer, a modern firmware relies on the System Management BIOS (SMBIOS) specification that defines data structures to expose all the management information.
     
  5. Carlos Detweiller

    Carlos Detweiller Emperor of Ice-Cream

    Dec 21, 2012
    6,105
    6,715
    210
    Yes, SMBIOS and DMI. "Chassis Type" comes to my mind, maybe also "PC System Type". Examples from MRP QueryTool.

    Example Desktop:

    Code:
    Type Number                : 03
    Chassis Type               : Desktop
    PC System Type             : 1

    Example Notebook:

    Code:
    Type Number                : 10
    Chassis Type               : Notebook
    PC System Type             : 2
     
  6. acer-5100

    acer-5100 MDL Guru

    Dec 8, 2018
    3,036
    2,159
    120
    It's plenty of ITX boards that uses SODIMMs instead of DIMMs, then there are NUCs, industrial PCs that use SODIMMs as well

    Then there are SBCs, ministick PCs, and many recent notebooks that don't have any removable RAM at all.

    In short RAM is not a good way to categorize a computer, at least not in 2023.
     
  7. ralf ralf

    ralf ralf MDL Member

    May 11, 2017
    148
    24
    10
    I looked in the forum for suitable topics. No direct hits found, but only similar matching! Therefore came my request....

    Nevertheless, thank you for the answer. So you are some DMI and SM information let analysis software believe which system is underlying!?
     
  8. ralf ralf

    ralf ralf MDL Member

    May 11, 2017
    148
    24
    10
    what kind of tool is this and where can you get it!?
     
  9. Carlos Detweiller

    Carlos Detweiller Emperor of Ice-Cream

    Dec 21, 2012
    6,105
    6,715
    210
  10. ralf ralf

    ralf ralf MDL Member

    May 11, 2017
    148
    24
    10
    Thanks for Link! Ok, I started the QT tool and it evaluates from PC System Type: Mobile! I also looked in a PC Bios in DMI table and Type 3 (System Enclosure or Chassis). There is no information there. What is the same between both bios types is Type 1(System Information) and Type 2 (Base Board or Module Information)!!! I assume the MRP QT tool takes the mobile information from Type 3? Would you agree with me?
     
  11. acer-5100

    acer-5100 MDL Guru

    Dec 8, 2018
    3,036
    2,159
    120
    edit

    Wrong thread
     
  12. ralf ralf

    ralf ralf MDL Member

    May 11, 2017
    148
    24
    10
    It was not about hardware differences but Bios differences, ok!
     
  13. acer-5100

    acer-5100 MDL Guru

    Dec 8, 2018
    3,036
    2,159
    120
    I just responded to what the other user wrote.
     
  14. ralf ralf

    ralf ralf MDL Member

    May 11, 2017
    148
    24
    10
    Ok...
     
  15. ralf ralf

    ralf ralf MDL Member

    May 11, 2017
    148
    24
    10
    Hi,
    do you know where the program reads this line PC System Type! Have now tried all possibilities in the DMI table! No change has set the PC System Type line also desktop. So my question would be: What exactly reads the program MRP QT Tool!? The DMI table in Bios Type 1 - 3 does not change the specification!!!
     
  16. Carlos Detweiller

    Carlos Detweiller Emperor of Ice-Cream

    Dec 21, 2012
    6,105
    6,715
    210
    Not even sure if you can actually change this. This is surely more than one setting, e. g. different UEFI modules and tables in the firmware.

    As for the MRP-QT, I think @mxman2k would know best.
     
  17. Yen

    Yen Admin
    Staff Member

    May 6, 2007
    13,045
    13,893
    340
    #17 Yen, Sep 7, 2023
    Last edited: Sep 7, 2023
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  18. ralf ralf

    ralf ralf MDL Member

    May 11, 2017
    148
    24
    10
    It is about changing these parameters in Windows: 1.PowerDeterminePlatformRole() 2. GetPwrCapabilities()
    It would be nice to have a script that changes these parameters. Like a bypass!! Does anyone know about such Windows functions. This function read directly the ACPI table in the bios. I would be fine not to change this table but only for appearance in WIndows....