About Computer Fingerprints and Locking Codes

Many applications are licensed to run on specific computers. The license code contains restrictions related to the computers on which the application is allowed to run. When an application is purchased, its license code must include the information needed to identify a computer. The information that can be used to identify a computer is called its fingerprint.

The fingerprint can include the computer’s network address, disk ID, the Computer ID key, and so on. Your software vendor can determine how much of this information is required to establish a computer’s identity.

The first step in creating a license code that is restricted to a particular computer is to run a utility that collects the information that your software vendor requires for computer identification. This utility collects this information and generates a locking code—a string, as shown below.

*1KM VW64 SS28 Q9MT

You share this locking code with your software vendor (through telephone or internet) to produce a license code.

About Demo Applications

Some applications are licensed without computer restrictions. Demonstration software is often licensed in this manner. Typically, demonstration software is licensed for a limited period of time and restrictions on computers are not required. This kind of software is often shipped with a license code that can be installed automatically. The software can be used until the license expires. To run the application again, you will need to contact your software vendor for obtaining a permanent license code.

NOTE If your application came with a license code, you can skip the details for getting your computer locking code and installing a license code.