A code often found under the battery or printed on the motherboard. System Configuration: Build ID and Feature Byte. How the Utility is Used
The HPBQ138.exe file is copied to the root of the USB drive.
Because it cannot run inside Windows, the tool requires a specific bootable environment:
A bootable USB drive is created (often using tools like Rufus ) to load a DOS-based operating system.
HPBQ138 is an older version of the utility, dating back to roughly 2013. Newer HP models may require updated versions like HPBQ193.exe to be compatible with modern motherboard architectures. Why is "Tattooing" Necessary?
Using this tool incorrectly can cause permanent issues with the motherboard's firmware. If you encounter a "Utility cannot be executed on this platform" error, it means the version you are using does not support your specific motherboard model. HP DMI TOOL - HP Support Community - 6934805
This tool is intended for HP-authorized service providers and is not officially available for public download.
When an HP laptop starts up and displays an error message such as "Product Information Not Valid" or "System Board (00A) - Product Name/Serial Number Missing," it usually means the DMI information is blank. Using HPBQ138.exe fixes this by re-entering the following data found on the laptop's chassis: Unique identifier for the device.