polling hardware serial numbers (techical answers only please)

[roger]

working on a form of "product activation"

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

 

[pietlinden]

working on a form of "product activation"

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

www.vbnet.mvps.org

 

[Stuart McCall]

working on a form of "product activation"

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

Here's something that'll get you the serial number of a drive:

http://www.smccall.demon.co.uk/MiscApi.htm#VolumeSerial

 

[Klatuu]

Roger,

I think I over reacted to your post yesterday. I did find this information
that may be hepful:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457054(TechNet.10).aspx

I am also looking to see if there is a known method or third party product
that may get you what you need.

 

[Klatuu]

Roger,

Here is a link to a product that comes recommended to me by someone whose
opinion I trust and respect. He said it would take the user contacting you
to reinstall. Hope this is helpful.

http://www.sagekey.com/security.aspx

 

[roger]

jeeze Dave!

After all that, now I have to thank you.

That Activation thingy is way cool (and looks like the *right* way to do
that, as opposed to my "roll-your-own" version)

but what looks even better, is that runtime installer tool. It makes a
"stand alone" access runtime install that is pre-tested in all Windows
versions and with and without all runtime and full versions of Office!
(if they can do that why can't (or won't) M$ do that?!)

now if I can only up the budget for this app by another $1500, I'm in
business!

thanks again

 

[Klatuu]

I'm glad you found it useful.
Again, I apologize for flaming you.
Best of luck with your application.
If you don't mind me asking, what is the application and who is your target
market?

 

[roger]

my boss has rules about what we say in programming newgroups.

what I can say is its a utility for a certain 3d cad/animation program, sort
of an inventory/file manager for the huge 3d model archives ppl make and use
when they use the program

it replaces the programs lousy interface of scrolling through file lists
with a fast searchable, groupable database with a GUI.

now that I think of it I can call it 3d clipart manager, sort of.

 

[Klatuu]

Interesting. Sort of a front end for a front end?
I understand such restrictions.