How can I use Invoke-WmiMethod to rename a computer - powershell

Question

I am trying to call the Rename method on the Win32_ComputerSytem class using Invoke-WMI method. Using this syntax works fine
(gwmi win32_ComputerSystem).Rename("NEWNAME")
This also works fine for demo purposes
Invoke-WmiMethod -path win32_process -Name create -ArgumentList notepad
However, when i try the following, I get an error
11 > Invoke-WmiMethod -path win32_computersystem -Name Rename -ArgumentList IwasRenamed
Invoke-WmiMethod : Invalid method Parameter(s)
At line:1 char:17
+ Invoke-WmiMethod <<<< -path win32_computersystem -Name Rename -ArgumentList IwasRenamed
+ CategoryInfo : InvalidOperation: (:) [Invoke-WmiMethod], ManagementExcepti
on
+ FullyQualifiedErrorId : InvokeWMIManagementException,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.
InvokeWmiMethod
What am I missing?

Answer 1

You need to specify an instance of the class Win32_ComputerSystem using the Path parameter:
PS C:\Users\ben> $path = "Win32_ComputerSystem.Name='OLDNAME'"
PS C:\Users\ben> Invoke-WmiMethod -Name Rename -Path $path -ArgumentList "NEWNAME"
__GENUS : 2
__CLASS : __PARAMETERS
__SUPERCLASS :
__DYNASTY : __PARAMETERS
__RELPATH :
__PROPERTY_COUNT : 1
__DERIVATION : {}
__SERVER :
__NAMESPACE :
__PATH :
ReturnValue : 0
Which is functionally equivalent to the gwmi Rename syntax that you referred to. This syntax implicitly retrieves an instance of the class Win32_ComputerSystem to call the method on:
PS C:\Users\ben> (gwmi win32_computersystem).rename("NEWNAME")
__GENUS : 2
__CLASS : __PARAMETERS
__SUPERCLASS :
__DYNASTY : __PARAMETERS
__RELPATH :
__PROPERTY_COUNT : 1
__DERIVATION : {}
__SERVER :
__NAMESPACE :
__PATH :
ReturnValue : 0
Here's another cool syntax:
PS C:\Users\ben> ([wmi]"Win32_ComputerSystem.Name='OLDNAME'").Rename("NEWNAME")
__GENUS : 2
__CLASS : __PARAMETERS
__SUPERCLASS :
__DYNASTY : __PARAMETERS
__RELPATH :
__PROPERTY_COUNT : 1
__DERIVATION : {}
__SERVER :
__NAMESPACE :
__PATH :
ReturnValue : 0

Answer 2

The Rename method takes three parameters. I'm guessing Invoke-WmiMethod uses reflection to call the method, so you have to specify all three parameters. Try this:
[String]$newName = "IWasRenamed"
[String]$password = $null
[String]$username = $null
Invoke-WmiMethod -Path Win32_ComputerSystem -Name Rename -ArgumentList $newName, $password, $username