CPU ID CHANGED on VM!!!!

I'm using Parallels 3.0 for Mac on a 20" iMac (Aluminum), with Windows XP as my guest OS. The processor is Intel, 2.4GHz, Core 2 Duo. After installing the OS, I installed all of my Windows software, including a particular software that checks the processor's CPUID or PSN (processor serial number) to verify integrity of license. They match the CPUID with the software license serial number.

After loading all of this software, I realized I needed to update to the latest Build #5608 of Parallels. After updating Parallels, the software that checks the CPUID now displays a message that it cannot be opened, because it is an illegal copy, which isn't true.

This seems to be correctable. If the CPUID of the VM can be changed on a Parallels update, one would think it can be changed back. Developers, any ideas? Hardware geniuses??? Anyone???????? Thanks for your help!

 

Please wait I clarify with developers

 

Any word on the CPUID?

John:

Have you heard from the Developers?

Thanks!

 

Not, yet, I will reply as soon as I get answer

 

Can you clarify what software are you using?
Processor ID feature existed *only* in Pentium III CPUs and was dropped in later generations (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPUID#EAX.3D3:_Processor_Serial_Number)

So it's not clear what particular change are you talking about.
If you provide us with the link on application or any hint on what algorithm does that software use to detect hardware changes - we can help.

Otherwise, it's quite difficult to understand the problem. From what we can say now - we do not virtualize that field of CPUID - so you should not see any differences between versions of our engine until you upgrade the real hardware.

 

Bridges42

tacit_one is from Parallels, please reply

 

Actually...I think the information on wikipedia is either a little dated or inaccurate, because both Intel and AMD are still using CPUID's. The article describing the Pentium III processors as being a failed PSN project comes from Intel, BUT several articles have been published by Intel since, which would indicate otherwise. The best source of information for Intel that I've found is the following article, dated Dec. 2007, which includes many of the current processor families and they're all using the CPUID to identify processor signature, as well as to indicate specific processor abilities:

http://www.intel.com/Assets/PDF/appnote/241618.pdf

I'm not a developer, so most of the language means very little to me.

Also, I've been reading that VMWare has the ability to mask CPUID's and even edit CPUID's through some of their products.

http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/vmotion_info_guide.pdf

My software is up and running again after I called the manufacturer and they agreed to let me have a new registration and serial number. But, I'm fearful that the next Parallels update is going to cause the same problem. Hopefully I've at least made you guys aware of the issue. The software I'm using, which verifies the CPUID is called APEX Sports Software, and is available at www.ApexFootball.com. Maybe a conversation with their developers would be able to provide the algorithm you've requested?

Thanks for your assistance and looking into this matter. I know it's a strange problem to have.