How can i find Processor serial number (or any other serial number which is unique for PC )

[Tushar j]

I want my application to be activated by the user when he installs the application. and the activation key should be unique for every PC so that user can not install the system on more than one machine. how can i do this in labview

[vicky]

hi,
This will involve some programming,you will have to create some standard serial numbers and using win API functions get the number of the harddisk and make sure that you will be checking for the same everytime you run the program.
cheers
vicky

[waldemar.hersacher]

Most modern PCs have a Ethernet port on board. Use Windows API functions to read out the MAC address of the Ethernet port. This address is worldwide unique.

You must provide the possibility to get a new license in the case the board must be changed or is updated.

Profesional solutions use more parts like serial number of harddisk, graphics card type. This will allow the change of some parts without destroying the license.

[Tushar j]

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@waldemar.hersacher wrote:
Most modern PCs have a Ethernet port on board. Use Windows API functions to read out the MAC address of the Ethernet port. This address is worldwide unique.

You must provide the possibility to get a new license in the case the board must be changed or is updated.

Profesional solutions use more parts like serial number of harddisk, graphics card type. This will allow the change of some parts without destroying the license.

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Thanks for quick reply

actually first i gave thaught to using MAC number and volume serial number of harddisk. but i am not sure whether they will work because of following things

1. for hardisks; the serial number is different for different drives. i dont know whether i will get the same serial number if i format my drive and install the application again. what will happen if user add/removes the partition on the disk (will same activation key is applicable)
2. for getting MAC Number PC Must hav LAN card how can i detect whether LAN card is present or not.

[waldemar.hersacher]

For harddisk: Do not mixup the label of a partition with the serial number of the harddisk itself. The serial number of the harddisk is located in the firmware of the disk.
Under Win XP (I expect this will work on W2k too) the serial number of the drive is in the registry under:
HKLM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Disk\Enum. In my machine the value 0 has the HW Id string for my harddisk and the value 1 for my currently inserted memory stick. You can use the LV registry functions to read it, even as a restricted user.

For MAC: If there is no Ethernet card in the machine either the function fails or will give you an invalid number like all zeros. If you have a ISDN card in the machine like AVM Fritz! ISDN you get a valid MAC address even it doesn't make any sense. To get it you can use SystemExec calling ipconfig /all and analyze the output. The text depends on the language of the OS. You need to count the lines.

Message Edited by waldemar.hersacher on 06-03-2005 11:35 AM