hardware that remembers trial software

D

donald9008

New Member
Where in a computer is the information stored that says you have already used up the trial days of some trial software? I have reformated my hard drive and this did not erase this information. So I was just wondering what piece of hardware stores this information?
 
Your HDD is where that information is stored. I have used one or two trial versions of software and once ran out, I have been able to re-install it again after a format. Are you sure you reformatted properly / right? Maybe the trial software you are using makes some sort of record on their end to keep track of who uses what thus preventing anyone from doubling the trial time with re-installs etc.

Breaks.
 
The registry stores most of the information regarding when the software was installed and how long until it expires.

I find it very hard to believe that you actually formatted your hard drive and re-installed Windows, and it still shows that you used up your trial.
 
[-0MEGA-];682112 said:
The registry stores most of the information regarding when the software was installed and how long until it expires.

I find it very hard to believe that you actually formatted your hard drive and re-installed Windows, and it still shows that you used up your trial.
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I pretty sure that most software companies make sure that people cannot just erase their hard drives just to start the trial period over again. There has to be something in a computer that keeps the information about what software a computer has had in it other than the hard drive.

Where is the registry?
 
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donald9008 said:
I pretty sure that most software companies make sure that people cannot just erase their hard drives just to start the trial period over again. There has to be something in a computer that keeps the information about what software a computer has had in it other than the hard drive.
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What they do is keep information stored in the registry so you cant just uninstall and reinstall the program again.

But the hard drive is the only piece of hardware in a computer that can store information long term. System RAM and video card RAM are all volatile types of storage, which get erased when the computer is shut off.

Are you sure you actually formatted the computer and reinstall Windows, and not just reinstall Windows over the current OS?
 
[-0MEGA-];682187 said:
What they do is keep information stored in the registry so you cant just uninstall and reinstall the program again.

But the hard drive is the only piece of hardware in a computer that can store information long term. System RAM and video card RAM are all volatile types of storage, which get erased when the computer is shut off.

Are you sure you actually formatted the computer and reinstall Windows, and not just reinstall Windows over the current OS?
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Yes, I reformated my hard drive and reinstalled windows.

So if a person wanted to sell their computer but first wanted to delete every bit of information off of their computer to get that computer back to the way it was whenever it was first purchased all they would have to do is reformat the hard drive?
 
donald9008 said:
Yes, I reformated my hard drive and reinstalled windows.

So if a person wanted to sell their computer but first wanted to delete every bit of information off of their computer to get that computer back to the way it was whenever it was first purchased all they would have to do is reformat the hard drive?
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Yes, reformatting your hard drive erases all the information to the data. However the data can be recovered by certain programs, but once it's overwritten the old data cant be recovered.

What program exactly were you trying to install again? Because after a fresh install of Windows you can load up any trial again.
 
[-0MEGA-];682272 said:
Yes, reformatting your hard drive erases all the information to the data. However the data can be recovered by certain programs, but once it's overwritten the old data cant be recovered.
Click to expand...

What are the names of these programs that can recover data? Can these programs be purchased by anyone?
 
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