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In this document, motherboard information will include desktop boards, workstations and server boards.
Basics
Intel markets desktop boards into the retail channel and to various computer manufacturers known as OEMs (original equipment manufacturers). OEM's may further customize the desktop boards to their own specifications and may also integrate the boards with other system components such as a power supply, disk drive, software, and chassis. For this reason, Intel cannot support a desktop board distributed by an OEM. If you have an OEM board, you must contact the OEM directly or the place where you purchased your system for support. The OEM or the place of purchase will be most familiar with your configuration and its integration of both hardware and software.
Identifying an Intel-supported Desktop Board or Server Board
When you turn on a computer that contains an Intel-supported desktop board, you will see the identification string near the top left corner of the screen. If your computer displays the Intel® logo screen during system boot, you can bypass this screen by pressing the Esc key. This allows the display of the BIOS code.
Intel BIOS for Desktop Boards
Recent Intel Desktop Boards use BIOS patterns that looks like this:
MV85010A.86A.0011.P05
or
EV91510A.86A.0209
The characters BEFORE the first period indicate what desktop board you have. In the examples above, the "MV85010A" identifies the Intel® Desktop Board D850MV and the "EV91510A" identifies the Intel® Desktop Board D915GEV.
Important: The first TWO sections of the BIOS code you see on your computer must EXACTLY match the BIOS identifier codes for standard Intel® desktop boards and for standard Intel® server boards BIOS identifier codes. In this example, the "MV85010A" identifies the desktop board type, and the "86A" indicates it is a standard Intel version (86B, 86C, or 86E are also used on some older boards). If the first two sections do not match, then your desktop board was manufactured for a specific OEM. Please contact that manufacturer for help with your board.
Intel BIOS codes for older Desktop Boards
Older Intel desktop boards used a BIOS pattern that looks like this:
1.00.12.CS1
The characters "CS1" identify which Intel desktop board you have. In this example, the "CS1" identifies a standard VS440FX desktop board.
Important: These characters must EXACTLY match the BIOS identifier codes for standard Intel desktop boards. Any additional or different characters indicate a desktop board manufactured for a specific OEM. Please contact that manufacturer for help with your board.
Alternative identification: PBA and AA numbers
![[AA label example]](/support/motherboards/identify.gif)
A small bar-coded label, similar to the diagram shown above, should be found on the component side of your desktop board. The numbers following the letters "PBA" and "AA" identify the type and version of the desktop board you have. Please have these numbers ready if you need to contact technical support.
This applies to:
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