Prevent database from illegal copy

[petko]

I'm trying to prevent my database from copying it. I'd like to read out a pc specific parameter that would be identified in a code before starting.
Could you help how to read out such a machine-specific parameter? (like machine serial number, mac address or something similar)

Thanks in advance

Peter

 

[CJ_London]

When a database is opened a 1kb recordlocking file is created. If you open it with notepad it will show the machine ID of the active users - match this against a list maintained in the db should give you what you want.

I have used it in the past to identity active users who I want to exit the system so I can undertake maintenance.

Having said that, I was using it this afternoon and it worked fine, just tried it now and it comes up with gobbledegook (first time it has happened) so now I'm not so sure - but probably worth you investigating

Another possibility is to look at one of the properties in CurrentProject - thinking of the RemovePersonalInformation property. Here is a link

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/office/ff835099.aspx

 

[CJ_London]

Just found this link which is better than my previous suggestions. It's the API to identify the machine

http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/7088/How-to-Get-Windows-Directory-Computer-Name-and-Sys

 

[gemma-the-husky]

note that it isn't necessarily just doing that.

it's also having a way of being able to let authorised users access the database, without them being able to understand the mechanism you are using, so that they can circumvent it, and maybe being able to get the access to expire after a certain date.