how to make the VI to run on a specific computer

[nolsqn]

i want to know is there a way to make the exe that i created from the vi i made to make it specifically for a certain pc by somehow checkin the MAC address of the computer on which its running.....

is there any way i can do it

with regards 

[RavensFan]

Have you tried searching for "Mac Address"?

[Hooovahh · Accepted solution]

I wouldn't recommend using the MAC address if this is a large application that people are going to try to pirate.

The MAC address can be changed on modern PCs relativly easily.  A better thing to go off of is the CPU ID.  You could also go off of the Hard Drive serial number, but you would have problems if the PC gets a new hard drive.

I think this thread has a way to get the CPU ID from LabVIEW

http://forums.ni.com/t5/LabVIEW/Again-about-the-CPU-ID-and-Harddisk-serial-number/m-p/271251

[bobholmgren]

---

@Hooovahh wrote:

I wouldn't recommend using the MAC address if this is a large application that people are going to try to pirate.

The MAC address can be changed on modern PCs relativly easily.  A better thing to go off of is the CPU ID.  You could also go off of the Hard Drive serial number, but you would have problems if the PC gets a new hard drive.

I think this thread has a way to get the CPU ID from LabVIEW

http://forums.ni.com/t5/LabVIEW/Again-about-the-CPU-ID-and-Harddisk-serial-number/m-p/271251

---

The issue I see with trying to make it so it can only run on one computer and you use the CPU ID, what if they upgrade the cpu? And same with the mac address, what if they change the network card.

[Hooovahh]

I have changed network cards, and changed MAC address far more often then I have change CPUs on a PC, which is why I suggeste the CPU ID.

[bobholmgren]

---

@Hooovahh wrote:

I have changed network cards, and changed MAC address far more often then I have change CPUs on a PC, which is why I suggeste the CPU ID.

---

Yeah, same with me, I rarely change CPU too, I was just thinking and being curious

[Dennis_Knutson]

At the last place I worked, I got 3 different computers in 2 years so the cpu id, mac address, and hard drive id changed each time so I'm not sure it's really relevant as to which one you use as long as you have a robust process (your own or NI's), to generate the key for valid users.

p.s. I also know that in the past, I've been very, very hesitant to buy software keyed software from a small company since they tend to disappear at a pretty alarming rate. I would rather buy software with a dongle.

[bobholmgren]

---

Dennis Knutson wrote:

p.s. I also know that in the past, I've been very, very hesitant to buy software keyed software from a small company since they tend to disappear at a pretty alarming rate. I would rather buy software with a dongle.

---

Makes sense. Physical copy protection's authentication server can't go down, and is self-reliant. *remembers Ubisoft's anti-piracy measure of requiring constant internet connection while playing* 

[Hooovahh]

I guess you could buy software keyed for a virtual machine, and then you could have a backup of that virtual machine, if the host PC dies then boot it up on another host.  Not sure the legality of that one.

Also if it is based on a dongle that's good because you can now legally patch a program to not use that dongle if the dongle malfunctions or is damaged damage and which are obsolete. (Point number 5)

[bobholmgren]

---

@Hooovahh wrote:

I guess you could buy software keyed for a virtual machine, and then you could have a backup of that virtual machine, if the host PC dies then boot it up on another host.  Not sure the legality of that one.

Also if it is based on a dongle that's good because you can now legally patch a program to not use that dongle if the dongle malfunctions or is damaged damage and which are obsolete. (Point number 5)

---

Cool. And you can now legally jailbreak your phone, we had some good decisions made recently