Serial Code Input...

[syrillia]

Yes, this is another 'how to require serial code' thread. At the moment I'm experimenting, I'm not thinking about charging people for my program at this point, but I built a custom installer (which is nothing special, really) and I want my program to verify the user input. But how would I do that without listing all of the various approved serials? I want the serial to be 16-digit (####-####-####-####). Can anyone recommend a way to do this?

Syrillia.

[RobDog888]

You need to create an alogorithum that will generate and verify the code. It should be based upon some major hardware element that doesnt really get replaced very often like a processor. Use that info as the key for your alogorithum.

[syrillia]

OK...That actually made about as much sense to me as a 3 legged donkey humping a dead raccoon. So none. Could you elaborate for me?

[RobDog888]

Ok, we you need to come up with some mathematical formula for generating your serial number. In that formula you should have it use some hardware info that you obtain in it so the serial number will always be unique and specific to each system its installed on. You wouldnt want multiple people using the same serial numbers.

So say you get the serial number of the cpu or its speed as your key. You could use it similarily.

SerialNumber = "cpuKey" * "InstallDate"

Then format your numbers and or apply MD5 encryption.

[syrillia]

Wicked, thanks for helping...

[RobDog888]

The complexity of your alogorithum will depend upon how hard you want to work at preventing unauthorized use of your app. More and more we are seeing apps that have internet activations as they transmit that data and the users IP address and provider too. That locks that info down to that user but with IPs that are dynamic or static ones that eventually may change can cause the triggering of re-activations.