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General discussion

Hardware specific software

Apr 5, 2013 2:01PM PDT

Hello to the forum. I am looking for information that would help me understand how a program could be written that will only work with certain hardware; for example, a program that would work with an Intel CPU but would not work with an AMD CPU, number of cores and speed being relatively equal. I am not a programmer, nor do I know any machine language.
Thank you

Discussion is locked

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Re: hardware specific software
Apr 5, 2013 8:11PM PDT

In the program, check the contents of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\CentralProcessor\0\ProcessorNameString in the registry. If it doesn't start with "Intel" give an error message and don't continue.

Kees

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Hardware specific software
Apr 5, 2013 10:54PM PDT

Thank you for the response. I suppose I should elaborate briefly. I am a small time OEM builder, who just spent the last six days putting together an upgrade to a system for a healthcare provider. I was given the specifics of the upgrade, especially for the unit that was used as a "server". After the installation, the providers of the software were to install their program remotely. The office manager spent 13 hours working with them before she was told that the hardware did not meet the requirements for their software. The manager was told that she had to have Intel CPU and related hardware to use their program. I was unaware that was possible.

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So was I.
Apr 6, 2013 4:39AM PDT

As far as I know, all software that runs on one runs on both, as far as the CPU is concerned. Can you be more specific about that particular program. A link to the system requirements page would be fine.

Kees

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I've never bothered to fight that fight.
Apr 6, 2013 4:45AM PDT

There are fans of both CPU makers but when it comes down to business if the app says it's intel only, we get the intel and move on. It's not worth the pain and cost if it doesn't work out.

That was a lesson I learned over a decade ago.
Bob

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Hardware specific software
Apr 6, 2013 2:35PM PDT

Thanks, guys. Nice to see you still participating, Mr. Proffit. First, the program is a private medical system that is administered remotely to a so-called server on premises. The rest of the network then slaves off the installed system, which the user has no access to. The parameters of the system were emailed to us, and followed to the letter. Then, when the system install was attempted, it would not load. I would love to be able to go into the registry to see if it is indeed "Intel" specific.
Thanks for making my day brighter.

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Only the developer would know why this is.
Apr 6, 2013 3:22PM PDT

I've never put such a restriction on any code I've written but there are folk that do that. Does it work on the intel model?
Bob

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Only the developer would know why this is
Apr 7, 2013 2:01PM PDT

That is not known at this time. The clinic is going to buy an Intel machine off the shelf. I won't know if and when it works. Sorry.