Modified license key entry for pre-installation of software
AssigneeCompaq Computer Corporation
InventorsKevin W. Eyres, Michael H. Lee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and computer system according to the disclosed invention allows the pre-installation of a software application without a license key. The computer system installs a software application and provides a prompt for a license key. The license key is stored in a registry. If the license key is not entered, the computer system installs the software application and installs disabling code. At startup, the code is executed if installed, providing a prompt for a license key. If the proper license key is entered, the computer system stores the key in a registry and uninstalls the disabling code, allowing installation of the software application. If an improper key is entered, the computer system allows the key to be reentered.
Claims10
A computer system for allowing the pre-installation and operation of a software application without entering a key, the computer system comprising:
- a processor;
- a mass storage subsystem coupled to the processor;
- a data transfer device coupled to the processor;
- the data transfer device for outputting the software application to the computer system;
- and
- installation and operating software code residing in a data transfer media, the installation and operating software code, when executed by the processor, performing the steps of:
- executing the startup code, further comprising the steps of:
- upon execution of the startup code, determining if a key is stored in the registry;
- if the key is not stored in the registry, providing a user discernable prompt, the user discernable prompt requesting a key entry;
- determining if a proper key has been entered;
- the proper key has been entered, storing the key in the registry;
- executing the software application, further comprising the steps of:
- upon execution of the software application, determining if the key is stored in the registry;
- if the key is stored in the registry, continue execution of the program;
- if the key is not stored in the registry providing a user discernable prompt;
- the user discernable prompts requesting a key entry;
- determining if the proper key has been entered;
- if the proper key has not been entered, ceasing execution of the software application;
- and
- if the proper key has been entered, storing the key in the registry and continue execution of the program.
A computer system for allowing the pre-installation and operation of a software application without entering a key, the computer system comprising:
- a processor;
- a mass storage subsystem coupled to the processor;
- a data transfer device coupled to the processor;
- the data transfer device for outputting the software application to the computer system;
- and
- a software code residing in a data transfer media, the software code including a startup code and a software application, the software code when executed by the processor adapted to perform the steps at start up of:
- determining if the key is stored in a registry;
- if the key is not stored in the registry, providing a user discernable prompt, the user discernable prompt requesting a key entry;
- determining if the key entry is a proper key;
- and
- if the key entry is the proper key, storing the key entry in the registry;
- the software code when executed by the processor adapted to perform the steps during execution of the software application of:
- determining if the key entry is stored in the registry;
- if the key entry is stored in the registry, continue execution of the software application;
- if the key entry is not stored in the registry, providing a user discernable prompt, the user discernable prompts requesting the key entry;
- determining if the key entry is the proper key;
- if the key entry is not the proper key, ceasing execution of the software application;
- and
- if the key entry is the proper key, storing the key entry in the registry and continue executing the software application.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.