AARD code
Template:Image stack The AARD code was a segment of obfuscated machine code in the installer for a beta release of Microsoft Windows 3.1. The code ran several functional tests on the underlying DOS that succeeded on MS-DOS, but resulted in a technical support message on competing operating systems. The name was derived from the initials of Microsoft programmer Aaron Reynolds, who used "AARD" to sign his work. ("AARD" was found in the machine code of the installer.)[1][2] Microsoft disabled the AARD code for the final release of Windows 3.1.
The rationale for the AARD code came to light when internal memos were released during the United States Microsoft antitrust case. Internal memos released by Microsoft revealed that the specific focus of these tests was DR-DOS. At one point, Microsoft CEO Bill Gates sent a memo to a number of employees, reading "You never sent me a response on the question of what things an app would do that would make it run with MSDOS and not run with DR-DOS. Is there [sic] feature they have that might get in our way?"[3] Microsoft Senior Vice President Brad Silverberg later sent another memo, stating: "What the [user] is supposed to do is feel uncomfortable, and when he has bugs, suspect that the problem is DR-DOS and then go out to buy MS-DOS."[3]
Following the purchase of DR-DOS by Novell and its renaming to "Novell DOS", Microsoft Co-President Jim Allchin stated in a memo, "If you're going to kill someone there isn't much reason to get all worked up about it and angry. Any discussions beforehand are a waste of time. We need to smile at Novell while we pull the trigger."[3]
Digital Research released a patch to enable the AARD tests to pass on DR-DOS in 1992.[4]
DR-DOS changed hands again and became a product of Caldera Systems. Caldera Systems began a lawsuit against Microsoft over the AARD code, Caldera v. Microsoft, which was later settled.[3][5] It is believed that the settlement ran in the order of $150m.[6]
References
- ^ Dellert, Brian (1998-10-21). "Microsoft Plays Hardball". Eat The State!. 3 (7). Retrieved 2008-08-21.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Pournelle, Jerry (2000-04-01). "The Microsoft Monopoly Debates". Retrieved 2008-08-21.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c d Goodin, Dan (1999-04-28). "Microsoft emails focus on DR-DOS threat". CNET News. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ DR DOS versions; see footnote #19
- ^ Lea, Graham (2000-01-13). "Caldera vs Microsoft - the settlement". BBC News. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Wilcox, Joe (2000-01-11). "Caldera settlement shows a new side of Microsoft". cnet. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
External links
- Schulman, Andrew (1993-09-01). "Examining the Windows AARD Detection Code". Dr. Dobb's Journal. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Details and initial discovery
- Caldera v. Microsoft details
- Site with email excerpts from Microsoft and an example of tripping the AARD code (XMS error)