User Authentication without dialog

[Phil_Alexander]

Hi All,
Is it possible to perform a user authentication without presenting a dialog? For example obtain the software serial number obtained via a profile etc and autheticate.
Phil

[divanova]

Yes, in a way; If you can, during installation or updates place a special value/info in a registry or a file you can confirm that value is existing before showing an update. Not sure if that works for you though.
Dannie

[KellyF]

Taking it a step further, you'll probably want to hash the values you'd like to check against prior to storing.

Kelly

divanova wrote:
Yes, in a way; If you can, during installation or updates place a special value/info in a registry or a file you can confirm that value is existing before showing an update. Not sure if that works for you though.
Dannie

[KellyF]

Another note: HelpNet has an item about using profile data as conditions...

http://helpnet.installshield.com/Robo/BIN/Robo.dll?mgr=agm&tpc=%2Frobo%2Fprojects%2Fdwusagent%2FOverview.htm&wnd=InstallShieldLivingHelp%7CMain&agt=wsm&ctxid=setup.asp

KellyF

[Phil_Alexander]

Thanks for your quick responses.
I am ok with making the update available via a condition. Our company offers a quarterly software maintenance agreement to customers. I would like to be able to authenticate / check the customer maintenance status.
The message authentication allows you to specify a 'What URL will the Update Service use to authenticate your user?' but the field is only available if you display a dialog.

I don't wish to display a dialog for information that is easily obtainable.