VB.NET 2003 User Registration Form (2.1)

Downloads

• Download Sourcecode (2.12 MB)
• Download Demo (530 KB)
• Download Key Generator Sourcecode (982 KB)

 
Screenshots showing the main screen and the registration screen (scaled down).

Introduction

I was looking for a way to register a program to a user and I was very dissatisfied with the lack of existing programs, so I decided to create my own. The program, PAW Register, is an easy to customize, simple, and powerfull application programed in VB.NET 2003 (it should also upgrade to VB.NET 2005 without too many problems, I haven't tested this though).

Update:

• Version 2.0 is now out! If you're running the old version, I'd recommend you upgrade if possible. The old code had many bugs, and was fairly insecure.

Bug Reports:

• Error in loading some registry entries. Download the newest release or see the form below for the fix.

• If you're getting an error on the last Imports line, re-reference the .dll located in the bin folder.

• If you are getting a "File not found" error when starting up the key generator, please ensure "settings.set" (as distributed in the release) is in the same folder. Alternatevely, you can ignore the error by clicking "Continue" when this error occurrs. You'll need to type your skey code each time you want to generate a key, however.

• If you find any errors please submit them (with the solution if you've found one) to the forum below. I'll usually reply within a day.

The Program

The program itself is fairly simple. It contains three buttons, and an image functioning as a progress bar. One button allows the user to continue (assuming they have not been using the program for more than the preset limit), one allows the user to enter a code, and one allows them to visit the buy now website.

Using the Program

You can download the program source above. It took me about 5 hours to write the code. To use it you add the two forms to your project and set Form1 as the startup project. You'll also need to change the variables in the Required Modifications region in Form1. There are quite a few things to change here, however they're described in detail in the program.

You'll also need to open the form "regsiter" and change the encryption key near the top of the file.

Development

I started (v. 1.0) with the idea of making a simple to customize registration box. I used a Triple DES encryption method by Tony Selke (found here) to check the keys. I used a modified Date Arithmetic program by Jay Tanner (found here) to calculate the time passed (I converted this from VB6). However, the encryption code made the serial numbers strange and the Date Arrithmetic code had too many bugs.

Back in August I started on version 2.0, however I was quite busy with other projects (namely NoFooling 2.0), so I was unable to get much anywhere until mid-December. However, now that it's done, I think it was a good use of my time, and I'm sure you'll agree it was well worth the wait.

I hope you all enjoy the code, I really have no use for it, everything I write is freeware. :P

Usage Restrictions

The only usage restriction is that the copyright must remain at the top of the main file and that you must give credit where credit it due (you can't call the code your own). If you'll notice, there is an about icon in the top-right corner displaying a form with my information. This is completely optional! To disable it, just change "SupportMe" in the Options sub-region to false; don't delete it or your code will fail on compile.

Copyright

The program is the copyright © of Tyler Menezes. Some rights reserved (see Usage Restrictions). The article is copyright © 2006 Tyler Menezes. The Code Project owns the non-exclusive right to modify, distribute, and copy the article.

License

The program is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License 2.5.

Downloads

• Download Sourcecode (2.12 MB)
• Download Demo (530 KB)
• Download Key Generator Sourcecode (982 KB)