B.I.O.S./C.MO.S.

hi,

is it possible to get information from the bios/cmos, i am after certain information such as the time and date and maybe the bios serial number or any other unique number on the bios/computer, i am writing a secure program tha use's information that is unique to a certain computer

Cheers

Merlin ?

I also did that some time ago. To read the values, you need the 3rd party dll, vbio.dll. This is a sample app I created that reads the time and date:

Code:

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Private Declare Sub Anjan Lib "vbio.dll" ()
Private Declare Function Inp Lib "vbio.dll" (ByVal port&) As Integer
Private Declare Function Inpw Lib "vbio.dll" (ByVal port&) As Long
Private Declare Sub Out Lib "vbio.dll" (ByVal port&, ByVal byt%)
Private Declare Sub Outw Lib "vbio.dll" (ByVal port&, ByVal byt&)
Private Declare Function Peek Lib "vbio.dll" (ByVal seg&, ByVal off&) As Integer
Private Declare Function Peekw Lib "vbio.dll" (ByVal seg&, ByVal off&) As Long
Private Declare Sub Poke Lib "vbio.dll" (ByVal seg&, ByVal off&, ByVal byt%)
Private Declare Sub Pokew Lib "vbio.dll" (ByVal seg&, ByVal off&, ByVal byt&)

Private Function ReadClock(Adress As Integer) As Integer
    Out &H70, Adress
    inh% = Inp(&H71)
    inh% = (inh% And 15) + Int(inh% / 16) * 10
    ReadClock = inh%
End Function

Private Sub Form_Load()
    Anjan 'initialiseer de dll
End Sub

Private Sub tmrTimer_Timer()
    Dim Tijd As String
    Tijd = ReadClock(4) & ":"              'uur uitlezen
    Tijd = Tijd & ReadClock(2) & ":"        'minuut uitlezen
    Tijd = Tijd & ReadClock(0) & vbCrLf    'seconde uitlezen
    Tijd = Tijd & ReadClock(7) & "-"        'dag van de maand uitlezen
    Tijd = Tijd & ReadClock(8) & "-"        'maand uitlezen
    Tijd = Tijd & ReadClock(50)            'eeuw uitlezen
    Tijd = Tijd & ReadClock(9)              'jaar uitlezen
   
    Cls
    ForeColor = vbWhite
    CurrentX = 5
    CurrentY = 5
    Print Tijd
    ForeColor = vbBlack
    CurrentX = 0
    CurrentY = 0
    Print Tijd
End Sub

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You need to add a timer (tmrtimer) to your form.

I know C/C++ can do this, but I don't think APIs/VB will manage it.

You can get vbio.dll here: http://www.zealsoftstudio.com/vbio/index.html
The program is cardware, so be nice and send a postcard to the author.

zmerlinz, have you already seen the code?

what code are you on about, i have visted the website but i am not sure what i have to do with the file

Merlin ?

You must put the file in you \windows\system directory. Then click on the start button-->Run and type:"regsvr32 c:\windows\system\vbio.dll". Now you're ready to use it. I was talking about the example code I posted.