How does a CD know how many times it's been used?

[achiro]

These software programs that only let you load it onto your computer x times, or x computers, how does that work? I mean isn't a cd pretty much locked in unless it is rewritable?

[achiro]

Oh, and I blame Al Gore for this mess.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

I assume you speak of Microsoft...

[yermom]

i'd imagine it has more to do with the activation key...

[stoops the eternal pimp]

connect to the web, update the software, register it, or hit a Microsoft web site..then they know

[stoops the eternal pimp]

if you wake up..they know

[achiro]

i'd imagine it has more to do with the activation key...
This is kind of what I thought to but I've seen programs that do this without needing a connection to the net.:(

[SoonerAtKU]

It's done through a key in your registry, if it's limiting the number of times you install it on the same computer. Some of the products we sell do that. Anything that limits your # of computers is done through a net connection.