Generating pure randomness with a PC

[Ron Waller]

I'm wondering if it is possible to generate pure randomness with a typical PC. I'm thinking there might be hardware within the PC that runs at different clock frequencies with electronic variances that can be used to generate a stream of pure randomness.

[Michael Dunn]

I think "generate pure randomness" is an oxymoron. The best you can do is use a source that is highly variable and not predictable. APIs like CryptGenRandom() sample dozens of system parameters to come up with a source that changes so much as to make it unpredictable. Or you could rig up something similar to LavaRand. ;) --Mike-- Visual C++ MVP :cool: LINKS~! Ericahist | 1ClickPicGrabber | NEW~! CP SearchBar v3.0 | C++ Forum FAQ Laugh it up, fuzzball.

[Dan Neely]

No, you'd need external hardware to do this. The built in sensors are only sensitive enough to detect problems, not record pure noise like you'd need for a RNG.

[Niklas Ulvinge]

One way, that I've seen other site's recomend, is to play some noise in the speakers, then record the sound with a microfone. Then you'll get something very close to random. The one and only Niklas Ulvinge aka IDK

[badal_akr]

If you want to generate randomness interms of numbers, then you can add some huge numbers and make overflow in the register. The generated number everytime will be the random number Anil Kumar