security question???

the software im writeing i want it to install from a cd and be able to make the program run only while the cd is in the drive make it read a file or something from cd when it saves a record ,it can be a anything.dat file i know peoples cd's some are different letter mine is G:\ some are D:\ when i install from cd is there a way i can save the drive letter so i can put a file on the cd my program read every time l know this is not a fool proof soulution for protection but i would really like to know how to do this thank you for any help or insights

You can use the App.Path variable to return the drive and folder that the app is being run from. You can't save files there on the CD from your app, but you can read from there.

Code:

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MsgBox "App is in: " & App.Path & "\"

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Don't forget to add the "\" on the end. You have to check to see if it's there.
There are also problems if the app is installed in the root folder of a drive.

Always use a sub folder, and you'll be safe. If not, check the len() to see if it's greater than 3 (D:\)

To make a program only run while the CD is in the drive, I might try using the disc serial number. If you copy the serial number of the disc during installation, then every time the program starts, compare the stored number with the one in the drive (if any). The thing is, the install file could be copied to another CD, so this doesn't offer any copy protection. To do that is much more difficult. A common technique is to require user registration before issuing a unique "unlock code" to allow the program to install/run only on that system. The vendor must issue a code to each user, which is based on a number that the program generates from unique system identifiers. The user must supply the number to the vendor, which is validated before a key is issued. Many low cost programs do not use this technique due to the cost involved.

It seems software developers must expect a certain amount of piracy to take place, and price the product accordingly.

ok thats a good idea what i came up with today is i want to program to run and install to the C:\ drive but the setup will come on a USB Jump Drive how can i make it find the usb jump drive on my computer is the H: drive but on another computer i wont know what drive it will be how can i make the program know like saving the drive letter of the jump drive when it installs from the jump drive any help will be apreated

ok think i found a way to do this just need some help with the open input line this is the code

Code:

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Const DRIVE_REMOVABLE = 2
Const DRIVE_FIXED = 3
Const DRIVE_REMOTE = 4
Const DRIVE_CDROM = 5
Const DRIVE_RAMDISK = 6

Private Declare Function GetDriveType Lib "kernel32" Alias "GetDriveTypeA" (ByVal nDrive As String) As Long

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Code:

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Private Sub Form_Load()
Timer1.Enabled = True
Command19.BackColor = &H8000&
 Dim i As Long, a As String, k As Long
    For i = 0 To 25
        a = Chr$(i + 65) & ":\"
        k = GetDriveType(a)
        Select Case k
            'Case DRIVE_REMOVABLE: Text1.Text
            Case DRIVE_REMOVABLE: List1.AddItem Left$(a, 1) & " is a removable drive"
            'Case DRIVE_REMOVABLE: List1.AddItem Left$(a, 1) & " is a removable drive"
            'Case DRIVE_FIXED: List1.AddItem Left$(a, 1) & " is a hard/non-removable drive"
            'Case DRIVE_REMOTE: List1.AddItem Left$(a, 1) & " is a remote/network drive"
            'Case DRIVE_CDROM: List1.AddItem Left$(a, 1) & " is a CD-ROM drive"
            'Case DRIVE_RAMDISK: List1.AddItem Left$(a, 1) & " is a RAM drive"
        End Select
    Next

Recordlen = Len(person)
Filenum = FreeFile
Open DRIVE_REMOVABLE + a & "VSO\DATA\bonds.dat" For Random As Filenum Len = Recordlen
End Sub

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this is my problem line

Code:

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Open DRIVE_REMOVABLE + a & "VSO\DATA\bonds.dat" For Random As Filenum Len = Recordlen

---

the folder is on the jump drive is
\VSO\DATA\bonds.dat
the drive removable shows the correct drive but get a error when i run it im sure i have the problem line wrong

thanks for any help

Looks like you could allow more than one jump drive. If not, just use an Exit For to jump out of the loop. The problem is that your constant isn't a string.
Create a string (I called it dr for drive) and set it in your case statement.

Code:

---

Case DRIVE_REMOVABLE
  List1.AddItem Left$(a, 1) & " is a removable drive"
  dr = a
Case ...

---

and then

Code:

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Open dr & "VSO\DATA\bonds.dat" For Random As Filenum Len = Recordlen

---

This will pass the correct string in dr

i am so happy that worked it read the file from the jumpdrive perfectly and wont work if its out thank you so muc i get the error when its out

Code:

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run time error '76':
path not found

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is there a way to make it say please inset your usb drive or something like that im not good with error code

thank you so much i would have never got this program going without the master of codeguru you guys rule

Sure. Add an error trap.

Code:

---

On Error Goto DriveError:
  Open dr & "VSO\DATA\bonds.dat" For Random As Filenum Len = Recordlen
'
'
'
  Close Filenum
  Exit Sub
DriveError:
  Msgbox "Please insert the jump drive and try again!"
  On Error Goto 0
End Sub

---

ok tried that this is my code thats working not sure how to add that in

Code:

---

Private Sub Form_Load()
Close
Timer1.Enabled = True
Command19.BackColor = &H8000&
0
 Dim i As Long, a As String, k As Long
    For i = 0 To 25
        a = Chr$(i + 65) & ":\"
        k = GetDriveType(a)
        Select Case k
            Case DRIVE_REMOVABLE: List1.AddItem Left$(a, 1) & " is a removable drive"
            dr = a
        End Select
    Next
Recordlen = Len(person)
Filenum = FreeFile
Open dr & "VSO\DATA\bonds.dat" For Random As Filenum Len = Recordlen
End Sub

---

thanks again you just saved me so many headaches

Just add the ON ERROR line before you attempt to open the file, or actually you can put it in the sub anywhere.

Right above your End Sub, add the lines starting with Exit Sub.

If there is no errors, the sub will exit without hitting the error trap, but if there is an error, the code will jump past the Exit Sub, and show the MsgBox. Then the Sub will exit. I assume that you click a button to open the file?

the file opens when the program runs that file is only for to see if the drive is plugged in this worked perfect thanks so much again i cant say it enough i also hope this with others that want to add some added security ,i know this is not fool proof but i like it :)