Problem with the game's HWID.
Problem with the game's HWID.
I’m not very comfortable with technology, I prefer riding motorcycles over using computers. Yesterday I bought a used computer from a flea market for my 13-year-old. They wanted to play Overwatch with her classmates, so I picked it up. The seller said it was a decent machine—an i9 processor, GT2080 chipset, and 16GB RAM. After buying it, she tried the game but got disconnected from the service and got an email warning her about cheating. She played for just ten minutes and doesn’t know how to cheat in games. When I asked on forums, they told me it was a hardware ID ban and we’d need a new computer. I’m just trying to figure out what to do since I spent $1500 on this.
The challenge varies a lot based on the method they use for hardware identification. If they rely solely on the MAC address—a unique identifier assigned during manufacturing—spoofing becomes straightforward. However, when they depend on other components to create an ID, it becomes more difficult to predict and defend against attacks. Without clear information about their setup, providing reliable guidance is tough.
Thank you for your response. I was advised to replace the motherboard, processor, and graphics card. At that stage, I thought purchasing a new computer would be the best option. I plan to reach out to Blizzard to explore possible solutions for my daughter. I believe the previous owner might have done something questionable.
It’s wise to learn from this experience—buying used computers at flea markets might not always be the best choice. You could have found a better or more affordable option elsewhere. I understand you might not have realized that, which is why I’m really focused on making sure this isn’t repeated. That’s your top priority, and I hope you take it seriously. I don’t know how these situations are usually handled, but I believe there’s a possibility they can assist you. Good luck! 