This guidance will help you find the name of your computer. The name of your computer is often required by IT support staff to identify the computer you are requesting support for.
Overview:
- Finding your computer name on a Windows PC
- Finding your computer name on a Windows PC - Alternative
- Finding your computer name on a Mac
- Finding the Serial or Asset Number
- Further support and assistance
There are several ways to identify your computer's name. The list below gives some of the most common ways:
Finding your computer name on a Windows PC
Open the Control Panel, either via the start menu or search bar, then select 'System and Security', then click 'System'. You will be presented with the 'View basic information about your computer' page, and will be able to see your 'Full computer name' withing the 'Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings' section.
This will normally show the System dialogue box as below (Windows 10 image shown):
Finding your computer name on a Windows PC - Alternative process
On many university computers, IT have included a small application that gives details of your computer with just a few clicks.
By default Windows computers have a task-bar that runs along the bottom of the screen, and in the bottom right corner is a clock.
Located near the clock, in the task-bar, are a number of icons indicating the running services and applications.
A small grey and blue icon that resembles a monitor can often be seen. Placing the mouse over it will display the text 'BGInfo'.
If the icon is not present, it may be hidden. Clicking the up arrow it will show any hidden icons.
Once the BGInfo icon is clicked it will display details about your computer. In the example below the 'Host Name' is the computers name: IT-PC-032498
Finding your computer name on a Mac
Choose 'Apple menu > System Preferences > Sharing'.
The computer name appears at the top of the window.
Finding the Serial or Asset Number
If you are unable to obtain the name of the computer form any of the methods listed, IT can often identify the name of your computer from its serial number or from a physical asset label displayed on it. This is sometimes also referred to as a service tag. How to find these details varies depending upon the type of device and its make and model.
Stone Computers
Typically located on the case of the computer, the serial number is in the format of P0000000000 PBCPQ0000000 or 000000-000.
The asset label is in the format of STDC-000000.
In the examples shown, the serial number is P1210136118 and the asset code is STDC-037700.
Dell Computers and Laptops
Dell Desktop computers typically display their serial number on the top of the computer and laptops display it on the underside.
The serial number is a 7 character alphanumeric code, referred to as the 'Service Tag'.
Some newer Dell computers have an asset label on them in the format of DLC-000000 or 000000.
In these examples the service tag is 7NCKYQ2 and the asset label is 210333.
Dell Workstations and Macbooks
Some Dell Workstations and MacBooks have the type of asset label, seen in the example below.
It is typically located on the right hand side of the device when open and just below the arrow keys.
Lenovo Laptops
The serial numbers of most Lenovo laptops are hidden under the battery, therefore we don't recommend that you try obtain this.
Most laptops will have an asset code on the underside, however.
It will be in the format of GELC-000000
The example show has the asset code of GELC-502579
HP Laptops
The serial number of HP laptops is often located on the userside, in the format of 10 alphanumeric characters.
On some models it may be hidden under the battery. We do not recommend that you remove the battery of your laptop to see the serial number.
An asset label is also typically found on the underside of HP laptops. It is in the format of DTPLC-00000.
An example is below:
Further support and assistance
If you are still unable to find the computer name, serial number or asset number of your computer using any of the above methods, please 'Contact the IT Service Desk' for further assistance.