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All PCs using Windows display OEM information (OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer, but most often refers to a reseller). You can change this information and personalize it to suit your personality. Changing it will make it look a little like you built your computer.


To see the OEM information, just right-click on My Computer and select Properties. The window that opens defaults to the General tab, which shows the OEM information. (No OEM information in there? You can create your own.)

To change this information, follow these steps:

You want to find a file called "oeminfo.ini". You can do this by performing a Find File for "oeminfo.ini". The file is in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM folder. Make a backup of this file and save a copy in a safe place.

If your computer doesn't have this file, you can create a new one. Just follow the example below.

Open the oeminfo.ini file by double-clicking on it. You'll see a list of items that looks something like this:
[general

Manufacturer= Pat-O-Matic Computer Mfg.

Model= Pat-O-Matic 4000

[support information

Line1 = "Support Information Here"
Line2 = Call somebody other than us. Tech support is expensive!
Line3 = Seriously.
Line4 = We mean it!

You can change the information after the = sign.

If you're creating a new oeminfo.inf file, just follow this format. Line 1 creates the Support Information Here button, Lines 2-??? are the information displayed in the box that pops up.

Perform a Save As, and save the file as a .ini file (replace the oeminfo.ini file in the system folder).

Check the OEM info by right-clicking on My Computer and select Properties. Your changes should be in effect.

You can also add an image to the OEM info box. To do this:


Create a bitmap image with the dimensions of 175x100 pixels.
Save the file as a bitmap and name it "oemlogo.bmp".
Place the file in the system folder along with the oeminfo.ini.

Posted May 30, 2002
Modified May 29, 2002

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