ron@vicorp.com (Ron Peterson) (05/30/91)
Is there any way to get a machine specific ID from an Amiga system? The application I am thinking of is as a form of copy protection where the software will only run on the machine it is installed on. (The computer is supplied as part of the package.) Ideally there would be something like a ROM address that would contain a unique code but I suppose it is much less expensive to duplicate identical ROM's. I suppose one way to do it would be to hide a code on the hard disk as part of installation. Using some form of file id wouldn't work because of the existance of copy programs that copy exact images of disks. ron@vicorp.com or uunet!vicorp!ron
<LEEK@QUCDN.QueensU.CA> (05/30/91)
In article <1991May29.200541.28813@vicorp.com>, ron@vicorp.com (Ron Peterson) says: > >Is there any way to get a machine specific ID from an Amiga system? >The application I am thinking of is as a form of copy protection >where the software will only run on the machine it is installed on. >(The computer is supplied as part of the package.) Ideally there >would be something like a ROM address that would contain a unique code >but I suppose it is much less expensive to duplicate identical ROM's. >I suppose one way to do it would be to hide a code on the hard disk as >part of installation. Using some form of file id wouldn't work >because of the existance of copy programs that copy exact images of disks. No. No. No. No. No. Don't mess with my hard drive. I treat programs like that as a virus program. What if my old drive got trash or I decided to upgrade it 3 years down the road and your company went belly up ? Assuming there is an unique ID on each machine... What happened if my machine have to go to the shop for 4 weeks and I can't get it to run on a loaner ? Hardware ID can be defeated. Anyone with some minimal hardware knowledge can replace his/her hardware ID on the machine with EEPROM and allow he/she to change ID at will. See what happens to illegal EPROMs for pay TV boxes... If you do want a ID code, make it a key disk on a floppy. It is a pain, but if you program is really that useful I might use it. If you put a ID code on the hard drive, I can walk to a friend's place with my hard drive to install his ID on my hard drive (thanks to RDB) Is that what you wanted to prevent ? Doesn't work as you intended. > >ron@vicorp.com or uunet!vicorp!ron K. C. Lee
ACPS1072@RYERSON <ACPS1072@Ryerson.CA> (06/03/91)
> Is there any way to get a machine specific ID from an Amiga system? > The application I am thinking of is as a form of copy protection Egads! Are you one of those guys that like using dongles?? Arg.. Barf! If you have to copy protect something why not use the ole' read-the-line- out-of-the-manual protection scheme. To make it a little easier on the user you might even make the "passwords" make sense to the user (provided he/she read the manual). A good example is the Disney Animation Studio. Still when it comes down to it, I'd rather use Dpaint just so I don't have to find out which pile of stuff I've placed the TAS manual. (TAS = The Animation Studio) Unless your program is extremely unique or useful I would rather use something less sophisticated just to get around your copy protection scheme. I realize all you wanted to know was if the Amiga had a individual ID but thought I'd give you my opinion on what I feel about copy protection (at least some forms of it). Summary (in my opinion): dongles are a real hassle and piss me off. Toaster included. Manual blurbs are a hassle (in a room like mine) but can be lived with if neccesary. Code Wheels same as Manual blurbs but less bothersome. (less energy required to match symbols through windows then flipping through pages.) Derek Lang<<<<< | ACPS1072@Ryerson | "Get this clown trained. I want him in the games Toronto, ON | until he dies playing. Acknowledge." Canada | - Master Control Program