VBA Code To Do Check for a Valid Use Computer

[spurs]

I want to incorporate into my VBA code a check to make sure that the computer that the VBA code is being run on is authorized for use.

Is there a unique serial number - that VBA can access to verify that the computer being used is in fact authorized for use? - Possibly a serial number that identifies a specific drive, or motherboard or some other feature? My plan would be that this number would be hard coded into the VBA code and everytime the program is run, it would shut down if the number does not match the allowable number.

Is there a down side to this approach? I am writing code that is to be used on only a handful of authoized computers, and I am trying to prevent the code from being used malicously elsewhere.

What is the VBA code that is needed to get this number from a system?

 

[matsgroe]

I think you can make a lincense file and make the excel only run if lincense is found.

If that will fix your problem, ill try to make an eg. if it's possible. but i think so

 

[rs2k]

This may get you started, this code is placed in a userform initialize event;

Private Sub UserForm_Initialize()
'sHost is a label that gives the PC name
sHostName.Caption = Environ$("computername")
'sUserName is a label that gives the user name
sUserName.Caption = Environ$("username")
End Sub

All it does is show the PC name and the username, you will have to adapt it to suit your purpose.

HTH
Colin

 

[spurs]

Matsgroe

Yes I would like to see what such a license file would look like. I am particularly interested in how to read the serial number information that is unique to the particular hardware.

RS2K - The use of the computer name would not be secure enough since this is something that the user would be able to change. I am hoping to use some sort of internal serial number that VBA can read from either the hard drive or motherboard or some sort of unique identifier.

In fact I will need to create 2 files. One will be a simple program to get the information for me the first time so that I can embed the code into VBA. The second will be the actual License file as Mastsgroe suggests.

Thanks

 

[Jonmo1]

Why not just password protect the book, and only give the password to authorized users?

Don't say "Because passwords can be hacked"...
Becuase Anything can be hacked.

Excel just is not a very secure environment.

 

[spurs]

Jonmo1

I have develped a unique piece of software for a company to incorporate in the build of their machines.

By using a licence file, it is easier to track each machine that the software has been licensed to for verification that all fees have been properly paid.

Just giving the machine builder the passwords defeats that purpose

 

[Jonmo1]

Fair enough...

This will get you the Hard Drive Serial #.

http://www.vbgold.com/vb-projects/disk-serial-number.shtml

 

[ndendrinos]

Hello: This code gets the HD #

 Option Explicit
 
Sub DriveSerialNumber()
    MsgBox CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject").GetDrive("C:\").SerialNumber
End Sub

And this code verifies the serial number and opens the file if the serial number checks out

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
If CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject").GetDrive("C:\").SerialNumber <> "-1464624812" Then Application.Quit
End Sub

Your HD might or might not have a minus sighn in front of the number... if it does make sure you include it.


just noticed that jonmo1 posted .. sorry for this

 

[rs2k]

Spurs,

Have a look at this link, it locks Excel to the motherboard serial;

http://www.yogeshguptaonline.com/2009/07/hardware-locking-for-excel-workbook.html

Cheers
Colin

 

[spurs]

This worked great

Thank you all