polling hardware serial numbers?

[roger]

My app is almost ready for distribution. I need to add some kind of "Product
Activation" / copy protection to it first.

I've read about random hash codes and all that. but before i implement any
of that, I need to be able to extract some unique computer-specific number to
build from.

Is there any way to poll the CPU serial number, or maybe some checksum from
the HD, or the Windows install? (MAC address of the net card?) Some number
that's (at least usually) unique to that computer?

maybe you guys could just point me to the right website.
aha tia

[Klatuu]

I don't know if there is or is not, but if you could tie a piece of software
to a hardware component, you would sure frustrate a user who had to buy a new
computer.
--
Dave Hargis, Microsoft Access MVP

[roger]

yeah, like Microsoft (or I) care about that. we'll be more than happy to
re-activate after a re-install.

thats what MS does.

(and that's the response I get from a Microsoft Access MVP?!)

[Klatuu]

I have never ever seen any Microsoft software package that was tied to a
piece of hardware. They use a product key you have to enter when you install
the product, but you don't have to go to Microsoft the get it reactivated.

I would think with an attitude like yours, Roger, what customers you may get
would probably abandon you the first time they had to call for support.

[Klatuu]

BTW, I do not work for Microsoft. MVP is only an award confered for my time
spent helping other people with questions on Access and other Product
community involvement and support.

Nobody here does. We are all volunteers just here to help.
My original response was not an admonition, but a suggestion based on over
30 years experience in IT.

[roger]

Twenty-five years of experience, here, dave. (and I turned down MS when they
offered me MVP status, I have work to do)

All of your MS apps require activation, all of them pole the hardware and
all of then require reactivation if you and when you reinstall.

I plan on doing nothing less and nothing more.

But thanks, for totally NOT answering my question. And thanks for screwing
up my thread, cuz no one will answer me now because it looks like an "MVP"
has answered it already.

So I'm going to repost my question in this technical forum, and if you don't
have helpful technical response, please leave it unanswered.

[Klatuu]

"all of then require reactivation if you and when you reinstall."

Never had to call Microsoft to do that.

Seldom do I get Nasty with anyone, but you, Sir, are obnoxious and uncouth.

I only offer a bit of advise and you go off totally out of control.

I doubt your story about turning down an MVP award. I have seen some of
your recent posts and you suggestions are usually not very good. I doubt
anyone would nominate you.

I, too, have work to do, but I do reserve some time for others.

I also doubt your honesty. You seem obsessive about someone stealling your
product. In my experience, those who trust least are to be the least trusted.

[roger]

I have no time for this and will not be responding again.

MS started the MVP around 96, and mailed me stuff about it then, I decided
not to participate. (I don't know anything about being "nominated")

This "roger" login is shared around here and you right, I don't answer (or
ask) alot of questions.

But it YOU, sir, who are calling ME names, and screwing up this thread (and
this newsgroup) with bunch of personal crap instead of a technical answer to
a simple technical question.

So, please leave me alone now, (or not because I won't be reading it or
responding)

[Paolo]

Hi Roger,
for example you can retrieve the HD serial number in this way

Dim fs, d, s
Set fs = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set d =
fs.GetDrive(fs.GetDriveName(fs.GetAbsolutePathName(Application.CurrentProject.Path)))
''the previous two line aall on the same line.
s = d.SerialNumber

In this case I retrieve the serial number of the HD where the application is
installed.

HTH Paolo