Machine Specific Identifier

[size13]

Apart from using a MAC address (which has its drawbacks) is there any way of generating a machine specific identifier of some kind?

I've seen it done before, e.g. Windows XP activation

Preferable using PHP or Delphi.

[docevi1]

XP Activation uses MAC address if available usually combined with GPU, CPU type.

Media player has an option to "uniquely identify your computer", but thats relying on people having media player.

What about putting a cookie on?

[size13]

docevi1 said:

XP Activation uses MAC address if available usually combined with GPU, CPU type. Media player has an option to "uniquely identify your computer", but thats relying on people having media player. What about putting a cookie on?

People delete cookies, plus you can't get them from Delphi.

XP told me one that the hardware configuration had changed significantly and need reactivating - I'd just installed a scsi card!

[BliarOut]

How permanent does it have to be? Longer than a session by the sound of it...

[size13]

BliarOut said:

How permanent does it have to be? Longer than a session by the sound of it...

yes, but docevi1 has me thinking

[size13]

Essentially, I want a system of file naming where every filename is unique no mater where it comes from.

e.g.

computer 1 can send the file 1.doc as a1.doc
computer 2 can send the file 1.doc as b1.doc

where a might be the identifier and 1 a sequencial filename.

but machine 2 doesn't know about machine 1 or it's identifier.

does that make sense?

oh, and it has to work for an unlimited number of computers.

>> Edited by size13 on Friday 30th September 16:47

[BliarOut]

Is it LAN or dial up? If it's LAN, you'll probably lose any unique identifier anyway if you swap the hardware out.... but MAC address isn't such a bad idea..

If the MAC changes, rename the files

ren <MAC>*.doc <NEWMAC>*.doc

Rough and ready I know, but easyish to do. Depends on your level of control over stuff.

[size13]

Think I'll go the MAC address route combined with a few other things. Like the windows activation!

[Plotloss]

You can get the XP serial out of the registry or via an API I think.

Thats unique...

[size13]

Plotloss said:

You can get the XP serial out of the registry or via an API I think. Thats unique...

May not be running on XP or any Windows come to think of it!

>> Edited by size13 on Friday 30th September 16:57

[jimothy]

size13 said:

Essentially, I want a system of file naming where every filename is unique no mater where it comes from.

Does it have to be computer specific? If you just want unique names then generate a GUID. I'm sure Delphi can do this.

[size13]

Thinking of going with a one time generated random number stored in a central server that can be used as a lookup when required.

[GreenV8S]

For windows machines you should find the 20-character host ID is pretty unique. (It's display under system->properties->general->Registered To.)

I don't know if it is guaranteed to be unique (it might depend on the OEM) but we find it usually is.

[malman]

size13 said:

Thinking of going with a one time generated random number stored in a central server that can be used as a lookup when required.

or

GUID for short

[aldi]

The machine's SID?