How to Use DisplayInfoWMIProvider

Oct 13, 2025 by vinooalluri.com 44 views

Introduction

In the realm of Windows system administration, managing and monitoring system hardware is a crucial task. The Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) provides a powerful framework for accessing and managing system information. In this article, we will explore the DisplayInfoWMIProvider, a simple WMI Provider written in C# that allows you to list the serial number and model name of attached monitors. This provider creates a new WMI class, "Win32_MonitorDetail," in the WMI namespace root\cimv2, enabling you to extend the SMS/SCCM Hardware Inventory to include this class.

What is WMI?

WMI is a set of APIs that provides a standardized way to access and manage system information on Windows systems. It allows you to query and retrieve system data, such as hardware configuration, software installation, and system events. WMI is built on top of the Common Information Model (CIM) standard, which provides a common framework for managing system information across different platforms.

DisplayInfoWMIProvider: Features and Benefits

The DisplayInfoWMIProvider is a simple WMI Provider that offers the following features and benefits:

Monitor Information: The provider allows you to list the serial number and model name of attached monitors.
WMI Class Creation: It creates a new WMI class, "Win32_MonitorDetail," in the WMI namespace root\cimv2.
SMS/SCCM Hardware Inventory Extension: You can extend the SMS/SCCM Hardware Inventory to include this class in the inventory.
C# Implementation: The provider is written in C# and requires .NET 3.5 SP1.

How to Use DisplayInfoWMIProvider

To use the DisplayInfoWMIProvider, follow these steps:

Step 1: Install .NET 3.5 SP1

The DisplayInfoWMIProvider requires .NET 3.5 SP1 to be installed on your system. You can download and install the required .NET framework from the official Microsoft website.

Step 2: Compile the Provider

Once you have installed the required .NET framework, compile the DisplayInfoWMIProvider code using the C# compiler.

Step 3: Register the Provider

After compiling the provider, register it using the WMI registration tool (WMIC.exe). You can do this by running the following command in the command prompt:

wmic /namespace:\\root\cimv2 provider DisplayInfoWMIProvider register

Step 4: Query the WMI Class

Once the provider is registered, you can query the WMI class "Win32_MonitorDetail" using the WMI query language (WQL). You can do this by running the following command in the command prompt:

wmic /namespace:\\root\cimv2 path Win32_MonitorDetail get SerialNumber, Model

This will list the serial number and model name of attached monitors.

Extending SMS/SCCM Hardware Inventory

To extend the SMS/SCCM Hardware Inventory to include the "Win32_MonitorDetail" class, follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a New Hardware Inventory Class

Create a new hardware inventory class in the SMS/SCCM console by navigating to the "Hardware Inventory" node and clicking on "Add Class."

Step 2: Specify the WMI Class

Specify the WMI class "Win32_MonitorDetail" as the new hardware inventory class.

Step 3: Save and Deploy the Changes

Save and deploy the changes to the SMS/SCCM console.

Conclusion

In this article, we explored the DisplayInfoWMIProvider, a simple WMI Provider written in C# that allows you to list the serial number and model name of attached monitors. We discussed the features and benefits of the provider, including the creation of a new WMI class, "Win32_MonitorDetail," in the WMI namespace root\cimv2. We also provided step-by-step instructions on how to use the provider, including compiling, registering, and querying the WMI class. Finally, we discussed how to extend the SMS/SCCM Hardware Inventory to include the "Win32_MonitorDetail" class.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues while using the DisplayInfoWMIProvider, refer to the following troubleshooting tips:

WMI Registration Error: If you encounter a WMI registration error, ensure that the .NET 3.5 SP1 framework is installed on your system.
WMI Query Error: If you encounter a WMI query error, ensure that the WMI class "Win32_MonitorDetail" is registered correctly.
SMS/SCCM Hardware Inventory Error: If you encounter an error while extending the SMS/SCCM Hardware Inventory, ensure that the WMI class "Win32_MonitorDetail" is specified correctly.

Q: What is the purpose of the DisplayInfoWMIProvider?

A: The DisplayInfoWMIProvider is a simple WMI Provider written in C# that allows you to list the serial number and model name of attached monitors. It creates a new WMI class, "Win32_MonitorDetail," in the WMI namespace root\cimv2, enabling you to extend the SMS/SCCM Hardware Inventory to include this class.

Q: What are the system requirements for the DisplayInfoWMIProvider?

A: The DisplayInfoWMIProvider requires .NET 3.5 SP1 to be installed on your system. You can download and install the required .NET framework from the official Microsoft website.

Q: How do I compile the DisplayInfoWMIProvider code?

A: To compile the DisplayInfoWMIProvider code, use the C# compiler. You can do this by running the following command in the command prompt:

csc /target:library DisplayInfoWMIProvider.cs

Q: How do I register the DisplayInfoWMIProvider?

A: To register the DisplayInfoWMIProvider, use the WMI registration tool (WMIC.exe). You can do this by running the following command in the command prompt:

wmic /namespace:\\root\cimv2 provider DisplayInfoWMIProvider register

Q: How do I query the WMI class "Win32_MonitorDetail"?

A: To query the WMI class "Win32_MonitorDetail," use the WMI query language (WQL). You can do this by running the following command in the command prompt:

wmic /namespace:\\root\cimv2 path Win32_MonitorDetail get SerialNumber, Model

Q: How do I extend the SMS/SCCM Hardware Inventory to include the "Win32_MonitorDetail" class?

A: To extend the SMS/SCCM Hardware Inventory to include the "Win32_MonitorDetail" class, follow these steps:

Create a new hardware inventory class in the SMS/SCCM console by navigating to the "Hardware Inventory" node and clicking on "Add Class."
Specify the WMI class "Win32_MonitorDetail" as the new hardware inventory class.
Save and deploy the changes to the SMS/SCCM console.

Q: What are the troubleshooting tips for the DisplayInfoWMIProvider?

A: If you encounter any issues while using the DisplayInfoWMIProvider, refer to the following troubleshooting tips:

WMI Registration Error: If you encounter a WMI registration error, ensure that the .NET 3.5 SP1 framework is installed on your system.
WMI Query Error: If you encounter a WMI query error, ensure that the WMI class "Win32_MonitorDetail" is registered correctly.
SMS/SCCM Hardware Inventory Error: If you encounter an error while extending the SMS/SCCM Hardware Inventory, ensure that the WMI class "Win32_MonitorDetail" is specified correctly.

Q: Can I customize the DisplayInfoWMIProvider to meet my specific needs?

A: Yes, you can customize the DisplayInfoWMIProvider to meet your specific needs. You can modify the code to include additional properties or methods as required.

Q: Is the DisplayInfoWMIProvider compatible with 64-bit systems?

A: Yes, the DisplayInfoWMIProvider is compatible with 64-bit systems. However, ensure that the .NET 3.5 SP1 framework is installed on your system.

Q: Can I use the DisplayInfoWMIProvider in a production environment?

A: Yes, you can use the DisplayInfoWMIProvider in a production environment. However, ensure that you have thoroughly tested the provider in a non-production environment before deploying it in a production environment.

Q: Where can I find more information about the DisplayInfoWMIProvider?

A: You can find more information about the DisplayInfoWMIProvider on the official Microsoft website or by searching for related articles and documentation online.