How does Microsoft identify the computer's hardware?

> Microsoft Product Activation detects the hardware configuration on which the > product is being installed and creates hash values for that configuration. A > hash is a value mathematically derived from another value - in this case > hardware configuration values. Product Activation does not scan the > customer's hard drive, detect any personal information, or determine the > make, model or manufacturer of the PC or its components. Microsoft uses hash > values out of respect for users' privacy. A hash value cannot be backwards > calculated to determine the original value. In addition, Microsoft only uses > a portion of the original hash values. Together, these hash values become > the complete hardware hash that is included in the installation ID. > > Can hardware components be changed and upgraded? > Product Activation is able to tolerate a certain degree of change in a > hardware configuration by allowing a current hash value to have a degree of > difference from the hash value ...  more

Microsoft Product Activation detects the hardware configuration on which the product is being installed and creates hash values for that configuration. A hash is a value mathematically derived from another value - in this case hardware configuration values. Product Activation does not scan the customer's hard drive, detect any personal information, or determine the make, model or manufacturer of the PC or its components. Microsoft uses hash values out of respect for users' privacy. A hash value cannot be backwards calculated to determine the original value. In addition, Microsoft only uses a portion of the original hash values. Together, these hash values become the complete hardware hash that is included in the installation ID.  more

" "Microsoft Product Activation detects the hardware configuration on which the product is being installed and creates hash values for that configuration. A hash is a value mathematically derived from another value - in this case hardware configuration values. Product Activation does not scan the customer's hard drive, detect any personal information, or determine the make, model or manufacturer of the PC or its components. Microsoft uses hash values out of respect for users' privacy. A hash value cannot be backwards calculated to determine the original value. In addition, Microsoft only uses a portion of the original hash values. Together, these hash values become the complete hardware hash that is included in the installation ID." - - http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/mpafaq.asp#details -- Peace! Kurt Self-anointed Moderator microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea http://microscum.com "Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron! "Produkt-Aktivierung ...  more

Microsoft Product Activation detects the hardware configuration on which the product is being installed and creates hash values for that configuration. A hash is a value mathematically derived from another value - in this case hardware configuration values. Product Activation does not scan the customer's hard drive, detect any personal information, or determine the make, model or manufacturer of the PC or its components. Microsoft uses hash values out of respect for users' privacy. A hash value cannot be backwards calculated to determine the original value. In addition, Microsoft only uses a portion of the original hash values. Together, these hash values become the complete hardware hash that is included in the installation ID. What are the 10 hardware characteristics used to determine the hardware hash? The 10 hardware characteristics used to determine the hardware hash are: Display Adapter, SCSI Adapter, IDE Adapter, Network Adapter MAC Address, RAM Amount Range (i.e. 0-64mb, 64- ...  more

Microsoft Product Activation detects the hardware configuration on which the product is being installed and creates hash values for that configuration. A hash is a value mathematically derived from another value - in this case hardware configuration values. Product Activation does not scan the customer's hard drive, detect any personal information, or determine the make, model or manufacturer of the PC or its components. Microsoft uses hash values out of respect for users' privacy. A hash value cannot be backwards calculated to determine the original value. In addition, Microsoft only uses a portion of the original hash values. Together, these hash values become the complete hardware hash that is included in the installation ID. Can hardware components be changed and upgraded? Product Activation is able to tolerate a certain degree of change in a hardware configuration by allowing a current hash value to have a degree of difference from the hash value that was originally activated. ...  more

>> Microsoft Product Activation detects the hardware configuration on >> which the >> product is being installed and creates hash values for that >> configuration. A >> hash is a value mathematically derived from another value - in this >> case >> hardware configuration values. Product Activation does not scan the >> customer's hard drive, detect any personal information, or >> determine the >> make, model or manufacturer of the PC or its components. Microsoft >> uses hash >> values out of respect for users' privacy. A hash value cannot be >> backwards >> calculated to determine the original value. In addition, Microsoft >> only uses >> a portion of the original hash values. Together, these hash values >> become >> the complete hardware hash that is included in the installation ID. >> >> Can hardware components be changed and upgraded? >> Product Activation is able to tolerate a certain degree of change >> in a >> hardware configuration by allowing a current hash value to have a >> ...  more