Admin Tip #40: Methods to get Bios version

Hits: Failed to execute CGI : Win32 Error Code = 3

You can reboot. OK. Don't want to or can't reboot. Use the system tool:

In the panel to right (my computer shows) : 
OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 1 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name     XPAGAIN
System Manufacturer     Sony Corporation
System Model    PCV-RX680G(UC)
System Type     X86-based PC
Processor       x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 4 GenuineIntel ~2018 Mhz 
BIOS Version/Date       Award Software, Inc. ACPI BIOS Revision 1002, 12/18/2001
SMBIOS Version  2.3 
Windows Directory       E:\WINDOWS
System Directory        E:\WINDOWS\System32
Boot Device     \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale  United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer      Version = "5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)"
User Name       XPAGAIN\Wayne
Time Zone       Central Daylight Time
Total Physical Memory   512.00 MB
Available Physical Memory       272.20 MB
Total Virtual Memory    1.72 GB
Available Virtual Memory        1.31 GB
Page File Space 1.22 GB
Page File       E:\pagefile.sys

Lots of good info if your need is the individual PC. Easier than pulling the info from the registry. But if your needs are domain or enterprise level, the registry approach is more amiable for automation. To get the BIOS info from the registry:

  
HKLM\Hardware\DESCRIPTION\System subkey - for my PC :

Identifier        :  Reg_SZ       : AT/AT COMPATIBLE
SystemBiosDate    :  Reg_SZ       : 12/18/01
SystemBiosVersion :  Reg_Multi_SZ : ASUS 43202e31 Award Medallion BIOS v6.0
VideoBiosDate     :  Reg_SZ       : 12/18/01
VideoBiosVersion  :  Reg_Multi_SZ : Nvidia Riva TnT2 M64 VGA Bios Version 3.05.00.10