>Hi All
>
>Does anyone know of a Windows API or and ActiveX Control that can query a users machine remotely to determine the configuration of the persons hardware and status of their software licences?
>
>Thanks
>
>Fida

For security reasons this is not possible by default.
Also if there is some kind of Client/Server software license verification tool it can be easily disabled/prevented from accessing the interent using a firewall. Consider that Kerio Personal Firewall and Zone Alarm have intrusion detection that will alert the user for any suspicios network activity. And these are not the only firewalls with IDS.
Also if user is in corporate network it would be probably protected by some kind of corporate network firewall, say for example Microsoft ISA Server
Also consider that there are built-in network baring options in Windows 2000 and later, like IPSec.

In general: look for alternative way for license checking - for example when updating the app via web.