Why is it that true random number generation is virtually impossible for current computers to achieve? I build and fix computer hardware as part of my living, but I still don’t understand this. Please explain?
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Your standard PC has no source of entropy (randomness) built-in. Which for most common usages is o.k. [Here is a simple true-random generator](http://holdenc.altervista.org/avalanche/) if you’re interested in playing with a ‘true’ random generator. You should ensure the circuit is shielded really well so the white noise generator doesn’t pick up stray RF.
Hardware like this would only add a few dollars to the price of a PC. But, for most uses, including games, cryptography, and statistics, having a deterministic and repeatable pseudorandom generator is actually more desirable than a true random generator.
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