RE: computer ID

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Hi Srishti,

Gary is not available so I will follow-up this post.

Based on my understanding, you want to know a way to get a constant ID from
user's hardware information to copy protect your software. You noticed that
the Volume Serial Number of HDD can be easily changed; and CPU ID is not
always available. You also tried WMI but you're worried about that WMI
redist package is not always available on user's system.

Please correct me if I've misunderstood anything.

For the updated question about GetCurrentHwProfile, it retrieves
information about the hardware profile. The hardware profile includes
information such as the docking state, globally unique identifier (GUID),
and display name of the profile. It has nothing to do with the Volume
Serial Number.

As for the WMI, you're right that it's not available on Windows NT4 and
Windows 95/98.

----------

First I want to clarify two different "Serial Number" of HDD. I noticed
you're referring to Volume Serial Number
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volume_serial_number), which indeed can be
easily changed.

On the other hand, the manufacturer of harddisk will store a unique
Firmware Serial Number in the harddisk when it's built. It doesn't change
with Operating System Changes or HDD formatting. It should serve your
purpose.

For source code example on how to retrieve this HDD Firmware Serial Number
using DeviceIoControl, please refer to following thread:

#CodeGuru Forums - Get Motherboard Serial Number
http://www.codeguru.com/forum/showthread.php?t=309089&highlight=Serial+Numbe
r+processor

There's a attached zip file contains c++ source code. I've tested the
source code, it works on my side.

Hope this helps.


Regards,
Walter Wang (wawang@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, remove 'online.')
Microsoft Online Community Support

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