Detect VMWare programatically

Question

I would like to check if my application is being run on VMWare. Is there a reliable way to do this in C++?

Answer 1

I just found this assembly on codeproject.

http://www.codeproject.com/KB/system/VmDetect.aspx

Answer 2

I think this link might be able to help you out. Its in assembly, not C++, but you could always create an assembly block in your C++...

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
//  Simple VMware check on i386
//
//    Note: There are plenty ways to detect VMware. This short version bases
//    on the fact that VMware intercepts IN instructions to port 0x5658 with
//    an magic value of 0x564D5868 in EAX. However, this is *NOT* officially
//    documented (used by VMware tools to communicate with the host via VM).
//
//    Because this might change in future versions - you should look out for
//    additional checks (e.g. hardware device IDs, BIOS informations, etc.).
//    Newer VMware BIOS has valid SMBIOS informations (you might use my BIOS
//    Helper unit to dump the ROM-BIOS (http://www.bendlins.de/nico/delphi).
//
function IsVMwarePresent(): LongBool; stdcall;  // platform;
begin
  Result := False;
 {$IFDEF CPU386}
  try
    asm
            mov     eax, 564D5868h
            mov     ebx, 00000000h
            mov     ecx, 0000000Ah
            mov     edx, 00005658h
            in      eax, dx
            cmp     ebx, 564D5868h
            jne     @@exit
            mov     Result, True
    @@exit:
    end;
  except
    Result := False;
  end;
{$ENDIF}
end;

As with any code from the internet, be careful of merely copying & pasting it and expecting it to work perfectly.