Posting on Geekhack: How much RAM and CPU does it take?

[Konrad]

I thought MS had to unimplement the hardware configuration tracking thing for legal reasons?
 
I'm pretty sure I saw a labotomizing tool floating around on technet somewhere, years ago. Maybe even a regular MS download or optional windows update.  Change your hardware config (ie, entire machine) unlimited times.
 
I could be wrong. Maybe I'm thinking about a warez product.

[ch_123]

Perhaps you are thinking of this?

Not sure how the Windows activation process would work without hardware profiling.

[Konrad]

PSN only applies to some Intel P6 (Pentium III, Celeron "II") processors, I think Intel completely abandoned it from Pentium 4 onwards.
 
According to this site the PSN (if present) is a parameter that's used in the "formula" which calculates the GUID string. It looks like basically all unique SMBIOS and firmware which software can read gets involved.
 
I remember buying a new AGP card and reflashing my memory SPD firmware to bump default timing/voltages a little (to enjoy higher performance gain from my new hardware). XP decided that I'd changed "5 pieces of hardware", thus forcing me to endure hours of 1-800-Microsoft bull****.
 
I think my, uh, deactivator software is a warez. Can't find anything of the sort on Technet (although there are XP keygens).