Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!csd4.milw.wisc.edu!bionet!ames!amdahl!pccuts!tat
From: tat@pccuts.pcc.amdahl.com (Tom Thackrey)
Newsgroups: comp.misc
Subject: Re: Ethics of crippler circuitry
Message-ID: <751@pccuts.pcc.amdahl.com>
Date: 15 Feb 89 07:34:25 GMT
References: <7143@pyr.gatech.EDU> <11630010@hpsmtc1.HP.COM> <1257@raspail.UUCP> <132@aucis.UUCP>
Reply-To: tat@pccuts.pcc.amdahl.com (Tom Thackrey)
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale  CA
Lines: 22

In article <132@aucis.UUCP> bnick@aucis.UUCP (Bill Nickless) writes:
>What do the companies (Amdahl, IBM, et. al.) do about the "sneaky" computer
>operator who figures out that you remove board X and get Y*1.5 performance?
>Or if you flip this switch or comment out this code or patch the OS to allow
>more than the licensed number of users on?  

First, the upgrade is seldom that simple.  Second, it's a trade secret,
so if you find out how you've probably found out from someone who will
end up in court with you when the manufacturer finds out.  Third, there
is usually some microcode which you can't get unless you have an official
upgrade.  Fourth, in the case of mainframes, you'd have trouble making the
change without the field engineers finding out.

So, all you have to do is examine the custom-chip multi-layer printed
circut boards to devine the change, fabricate new chips/boards.  Add
the secret wire(s).  Re-write the microcode and console operating system
(or patch it with no source code).  Shoudn't be too hard for the average
operator.
-- 
Tom Thackrey sun!amdahl!tat00

[ The opinions expressed herin are mine alone. ]