The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

hard-wired \hard"-wired"\, hard wired \hard"
wired"\(h[aum]rd"w[imac]rd"), a.
   1. (Computers) Contained within the circuitry of a computer
      or computer peripheral device, and not changeable by
      programming; -- of functions; as, error correction is
      hard-wired into the circuit of the disk drive, so it
      proceeds very rapidly.
      [PJC]

   2. Connected by a continuous electrical wire, rather than
      through a switch; as, the air-conditioner was hard-wired
      into the wall circuit, so moving it would require an
      electrician.
      [PJC]

   3. (Metaph.) Performed by an inborn pattern of neural
      circuits; instinctive; not learned; as, many bird songs
      are hard-wired, but some are learned.
      [PJC]

            People, as the cybernetic metaphor now has it, are
            "hard wired" to do good in order to enhance their
            own happiness. --Andrew Delbanco (New York Times
      Magazine, May 7, 2000; p. 46).
      [PJC]

The Jargon File (version 4.4.7, 29 Dec 2003):

hardwired
 adj.

    1. In software, syn. for hardcoded.

    2. By extension, anything that is not modifiable, especially in the sense
    of customizable to one's particular needs or tastes.