Abstract: A system, method and program product for authenticating a software load to a data processing system that includes a stored basic input/output system (BIOS). The method of the present invention is initiated responsive to initiating an install or load transfer of computer software to or within a data processing system. The installation program includes or is provided with a public key decryption algorithm utilized during the authentication process for decrypting a digital signature in the form of a pre-stored, private key encrypted hash of the system BIOS. The installation program further includes a hash algorithm corresponding to the hash algorithm used to produce the digital signature for generating a hash of the system BIOS. The installation program then compares the decrypted BIOS hash with the generated BIOS hash to authenticate the system, which is utilized to determine whether to continue or terminate the software load or installation process.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a system planar specific pre-load authentication that enables a supplier of system hardware and software components to detect assembly of unauthorized systems. The method includes authenticating a data processing system having a hardware inventory device that is uniquely associated with the data processing system. First, an identifier code that uniquely identifies the data processing system and an encrypted hash of the identifier code are stored in non-erasable memory within a hardware inventory device prior to the device being mounted on a system board. After mounting the hardware inventory device on the system board, software preload is authenticated by generating a hash of the identifier code, decrypting the encrypted hash of the identifier code, and comparing the decrypted identifier code hash with the generated identifier code hash to authenticate the system.