Sign in
Microsoft.com
 
Resources for IT Professionals
 
 
 
Resources for IT Professionals > Forums Home > Using Forums Forums > Off-Topic Posts (Do Not Post Here) > Win32_DiskDrive WMI class - Signature
Ask a questionAsk a question
Search Forums:
 

QuestionWin32_DiskDrive WMI class - Signature

  • Thursday, September 11, 2008 1:29 PMCosmin Stefan Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Sign In to Vote
    0
    Sign In to Vote
    I would need some help regarding the Win32_DiskDrive WMI class, Signature property.
    Is this unique?
    Is this user changeable?

    What about the PNPDeviceID.

    I am planning to use this to license my application to a certain computer, considering that the hard-disk serial number can't be found out on prior to Vista Operating Systems(XP).

    I need your advice on this one. Thanks.

    • Moved byXun Ye Monday, September 15, 2008 3:58 AMWin32 issue rather than C# issue (Moved from Visual C# General to Off-Topic Posts (Do Not Post Here))
    •  
     

All Replies

  • Sunday, September 14, 2008 4:05 PMCosmin Stefan Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Sign In to Vote
    0
    Sign In to Vote
    so.... No one knows?

    I would really appreciate your help.
    Thank you!
     
  • Monday, August 31, 2009 9:38 AMRoey Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Sign In to Vote
    0
    Sign In to Vote
    did you get your answer at the end?


     
  • Friday, October 30, 2009 2:59 PMPavel Vladov Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Sign In to Vote
    0
    Sign In to Vote
    I've tested the Win32_DiskDrive.Signature on 15 different computers (with different OS-es, including Windows XP, Vista and 7) and all disk signatures were different. So I think it is rather unique. But I wonder if it is present on every hard drive and whether it is change when the OS is reinstalled (I'm almost certain that once set it does not change).
     
  • Friday, October 30, 2009 9:40 PMpeter_nn Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Sign In to Vote
    0
    Sign In to Vote
    signature is indeed unique, the question is whether it changes after normal format or low level format, or if the disk is attached to another PC or another channel. I guess not but don't have a system to try.
    If it's really something fixed that does not change, then it's better than .SerialNumber because signature can be retrieved by limited users on XP & later OS's, while .SerialNumber can't be.
     
  • Friday, November 06, 2009 9:27 AMPavel Vladov Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Sign In to Vote
    0
    Sign In to Vote
    I think it does not change, when you attach the disk to another PC, because I've tried with an USB flash drive - it has the same signature on all computers I've plugged it to. Regarding the low level format, I have not tested it, so I cannot tell if it changes the disk signature or not. My guess is that it does not, but if someone has tried this, please, report what happens, so that we can be sure about it.