Can't find dongle

[Guest]

I have the electronic circuit analysis program Pspice V6.0 that I am trying
to run on my Compaq Presario V2000 laptop that runs on WinXP. The analysis
engine of Pspice V6.0 appears to be DOS based and needs a security dongle
attached to the RS-232 port. The laptop, that does not have a built in
serial port (RS-232), uses a Radio Shack #26-183 USB to RS-232 adapter.
Pspice can not find it’s valid security dongle that is attached to the RS-232
adapter, which keeps the program from running. I am using two DOS
augmentation programs, TameDos V5.0 and Direct I/O V4.4. Any suggestions on
how to help Pspice find it’s security dongle would be appreciated.

 

[Homer J. Simpson]

I have the electronic circuit analysis program Pspice V6.0 that I am trying

to run on my Compaq Presario V2000 laptop that runs on WinXP. The
analysis
engine of Pspice V6.0 appears to be DOS based and needs a security dongle
attached to the RS-232 port. The laptop, that does not have a built in
serial port (RS-232), uses a Radio Shack #26-183 USB to RS-232 adapter.
Pspice can not find it's valid security dongle that is attached to the
RS-232
adapter, which keeps the program from running. I am using two DOS
augmentation programs, TameDos V5.0 and Direct I/O V4.4. Any suggestions
on
how to help Pspice find it's security dongle would be appreciated.

The people who wrote that software would probably be in the best position to
assist you. I'm curious to see whether anyone here has something else to
offer.

 

[V Green]

The people who wrote that software would probably be in the best position to
assist you. I'm curious to see whether anyone here has something else to
offer.

Agreed. Ask the app. writer if they're still around.

You may be screwed. The USB to RS-232 device runs
a WINDOWS driver to do it's magic.

The Pspice proggie runs in DOS
(well, "windows" DOS, not really the same) and does
not "see" the thing via the Windows driver at all. The dongle,
being a security device, wants to see standard serial I/O UART
registers and nothing else, to prevent circumvention. It'll likely
never achieve this via a USB-Serial converter.

 

[Guest]

I should have mentioned that the supplier, MicroSim (now Orcad), does not
support legacy products in any way. Pspice V6.0 is 13 years old. Note,
Pspice V6.0 and it's serial port dongle works OK on my old HP Pavilion 6465
that has a built in serial port (RS-232) and runs on Win98. Maybe I better
keep the old HP Pavilion instead of giving it to Goodwill.

 

[VanguardLH]

I should have mentioned that the supplier, MicroSim (now Orcad),
does not
support legacy products in any way. Pspice V6.0 is 13 years old.
Note,
Pspice V6.0 and it's serial port dongle works OK on my old HP
Pavilion 6465
that has a built in serial port (RS-232) and runs on Win98. Maybe I
better
keep the old HP Pavilion instead of giving it to Goodwill.

Or add a serial port pcmcia card to your laptop that works from DOS.

http://www.siig.com/ViewProduct.aspx?pn=JJ-EC2011-S1
But it lists Windows as a required OS. Don't know if PCMCIA cards
require Windows to use them. I've seen mention of PCMCIA drivers for
DOS. Check if the pc card comes with DOS drivers, or Google around
for them.

 

[Elmo]

I have the electronic circuit analysis program Pspice V6.0 that I am trying
to run on my Compaq Presario V2000 laptop that runs on WinXP. The analysis
engine of Pspice V6.0 appears to be DOS based and needs a security dongle
attached to the RS-232 port. The laptop, that does not have a built in
serial port (RS-232), uses a Radio Shack #26-183 USB to RS-232 adapter.
Pspice can not find its valid security dongle that is attached to the RS-232
adapter, which keeps the program from running. I am using two DOS
augmentation programs, TameDos V5.0 and Direct I/O V4.4. Any suggestions on
how to help Pspice find its security dongle would be appreciated.

A few things to try:

- In the BIOS, enable USB legacy support.

- Install DOS drivers for the USB ports or for the RS-232 port.

- Try DOS, Hardware, and USB newsgroups.

USB Help sites:
http://www.usbman.com/WinME USB Guide.htm

General USB troubleshooting in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310575

Troubleshooting for USB drives
http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbtrouble_e.html