A motherboard tattoo is a unique code in a computer’s BIOS that contains information about the system and the motherboard used. It ensures only authorized recovery and diagnostic discs are used, but can cause issues if components are replaced. It is mainly seen in built systems from manufacturers, and can be frustrating for consumers. Check with the manufacturer or builder before making changes to hardware.
A motherboard tattoo is a unique identification code embedded in an operating system’s BIOS. The motherboard tattoo contains information about your system, including the motherboard used, and is specific to the computer it is installed on. By creating a motherboard tattoo, a manufacturer can ensure that only authorized diagnostic and recovery discs are used with its products, because the computer can be programmed to reject unauthorized materials.
Many computer users are totally unaware of the motherboard tattoo and it rarely becomes a problem. However, if a computer is damaged in any way and a user attempts to use recovery or diagnostic discs designed for another computer, an error will be generated. Likewise, disks built for a computer with a specific motherboard tattoo won’t work in other computers, and this can be both frustrating and irritating.
Motherboard tattooing can also become a problem in the event that a motherboard or other component in a computer is replaced. If your computer later prompts you to troubleshoot support or recovery discs, these discs might not work because the tattoo doesn’t match the hardware components. For this reason, people who replace motherboards and other components should be careful what they are doing, as special software is required to reprogram the motherboard tattoo.
As a general rule, a motherboard tattoo is only seen on built systems manufactured by computer companies that sell packaged computers to consumers. When someone builds a computer independently from individual components, a motherboard tattoo might be custom programmed into the BIOS, but most people choose not to.
From a manufacturer’s perspective, the motherboard tattoo preserves the integrity of their product, encouraging consumers to turn to the manufacturer for repairs and service, and for replacement parts. For consumers, motherboard tattooing can be seen as a frustrating feature of the operating system that makes it difficult to upgrade the computer or make changes to its hardware.
If you’re not sure whether or not your computer has a motherboard tattoo, consider the source. If you ordered your computer as a complete system from a manufacturer, chances are it has a tattoo on the motherboard. If the system was custom built for you by a friend or a company that specializes in such things, ask them whether or not a motherboard tattoo was incorporated into the BIOS. This is important to know before opening a computer to replace or repair components.
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