Patent ID: 7490245

Claim:
A method for authenticating a software program previously installed in a direct access storage device within a data processing system, said method comprising: providing a hardware inventory device within said data processing system; storing in a non-erasable memory located within said hardware inventory device an unique identifier code (UIC) that uniquely identifies said data processing system; storing in said non-erasable memory of said hardware inventory device an encrypted hash, wherein said encrypted hash is generated by combining said UIC and a basis input/output system (BIOS) hash; and in response to a loading of a software program previously installed within a direct access storage device of said data processing system: obtaining said encrypted hash from said non-erasable memory of said hardware inventory device; decrypting said encrypted hash; and generating a new hash by using said UIC and a BIOS from said data processing system; comparing said decrypted hash with said new hash; and allowing said software program loading to continue when said decrypted hash matches said new hash.