All Products for US Patent 5745568 - Method of securing CD-ROM data for retrieval by one machine

Inventor(s): O'Connor; Clint H. (Austin, TX), Pearce; John J. (Del Valle, TX)

Owner: Dell USA, L.P. (Round Rock, TX)

Filing Date: September 15, 1995

Issue Date: April 28, 1998

Abstract: A method of securing CD-ROM data for exclusive retrieval by a specified computer system includes the steps of ordering a computer system designating a selected hardware configuration and selected software components and procuring the selected hardware. A hardware identifier is then associated to the selected hardware. The method further includes the step of producing a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) containing software program files corresponding to the selected software components. This step includes the substeps of encrypting the software program files using the hardware identifier as an encryption key and writing the encrypted software program files to the CD-ROM. The CD-ROM securing method also includes the step of installing the software programs on the selected hardware including the sub steps of retrieving the hardware identifier associated to the selected hardware, decrypting the software program files using the hardware identifier as a decryption key and installing the decrypted software program files on the hardware.