[SOLVED] old scifi book about mankind being ruled over by a computer [s]

[Ray]

Hello.
For the life of me I cannot remember the name of this book/series.
to keep it simple, in the future, mankind is ruled by a computer that is in the heart of a mountain.
The computer can only be shut down by 5 (?) rings (that are actually computer chips in disguise)
The computers primary laws state that humans must be in possession of the rings and that the computer is forbidden to interfere with their usage
(the rings shut the computer down)

The computer colonizes/terraforms several planets and seeds modified humans on the planets and gives the rings to them, not telling them what they are for.

The computer has basically become a Tyrant, and a group of people on earth set out to reclaim the rings to shut the computer down.
During their quest, some will have to be transformed into the modified humans of that world.

Im hoping that this is enough ionformation; otherwise I will end up writing the whole book series :)

[Kate]

Do you remember approximately the first book was published? It might help me zero in on this. The premise sounds familiar to me. If I haven't read it, I want to!

[Sue]

Ray wrote: "Hello.
For the life of me I cannot remember the name of this book/series.
to keep it simple, in the future, mankind is ruled by a computer that is in the heart of a mountain.
The computer can only ..."

Kate wrote: "Do you remember approximately the first book was published? It might help me zero in on this. The premise sounds familiar to me. If I haven't read it, I want to!"
I remembered this, so I googled it and found;

Rings of the Master
1. Lords of the Middle Dark (1986)
2. Pirates of the Thunder (1987)
3. Warriors of the Storm (1987)
4. Masks of the Martyrs (1988)
By Jack L.Chalker.
I hope it's the one you want.

[Ray]

Sue wrote: "I remembered this, so I googled it and found;

Rings of the Master
1. Lords of the Middle Dark (1986)
2. Pirates of the Thunder (1987)
3. Warriors of the Storm (1987)
4. Masks of the Martyrs (1988)
By Jack L.Chalker.
I hope it's the one you want. "

Sue, you are incredible!
In under 3 hours too!
Thanks a Million!

[Kate]

Yes! That is the series I was thinking of! Thanks to Sue for solving it and thanks to Ray for looking for it. Now I can revisit these books.