how do i get a hardware key to work?

[ltkettch17]

not sure if this falls in the 'general' category, but it
seems like the best place to start.

i've got a REAL old cad system on a computer at work
that's running dos 6.2 and windows 95. to prevent the
software from being pirated it has a 'hardware key' that
plugs into the printer port. the software will only work
when the key is in the port.

the computer that has the software on it is slowly dying
out (the power supply is barely functioning and i dont
know how to replace it because it's directly fused to the
motherboard). i'd like to copy the software onto a more
reliable computer running windows xp. the original disks
for this software was stolen by an ex-employee years
before i even started working at this company.

i have every file related to the cad software copied onto
my new computer and i've got the hardware key in the
printer port. but when i goto start the software, it
starts up fine, but wont get past the main menu screen
because it says it cant find the hardware key.

the original manufacturer of the cad software laughed at
me when i told him my problem because they stopped
servicing my version 7 years ago. he wants to sell me
the newest version for a mere $6000. unfortunately that
didnt go over big with my supervisors.

a friend of mine said that i might need a driver to allow
xp to notice the hardware key.

is this true?

where can i get one?

any other suggestions???

any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

A very interesting problem, though I doubt you will find an answer you like.
The biggest problem I see with this is that the program is looking for
direct hardware access (to detect the key), this is not allowed in
WindowsXP.

Have you considered trying to find another older pc and using it instead? It
could be an upgrade hardware-wise, as long as it can support Win95.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

WinXP, like WinNT and Win2K before it, will not allow software
applications to directly address hardware devices. This is one of the
reasons the WinNT family of operating systems is so much more stable
than Win9x. For a hardware security dongle to work on these operating
system, very specific device drivers must be provided by the
application's manufacturer.

If the application's manufacturer will not provide you with a
patch, new device driver, or product to render this legacy application
WinXP-compatible, you have little choice other than to replace it.
You'll need to acquire a version of your application that is designed
specifically for WinXP. Contact the manufacturer of the application to
see if any updates, patches, or upgrades are available.


Bruce Chambers

--
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having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Alex Nichol]

not sure if this falls in the 'general' category, but it
seems like the best place to start.

i've got a REAL old cad system on a computer at work
that's running dos 6.2 and windows 95. to prevent the
software from being pirated it has a 'hardware key' that
plugs into the printer port. the software will only work
when the key is in the port.

The methods that such old programs used to detect and check such
hardware 'dongles' are almost certain to be rejected completely by XP.
It does not allow application programs to access hardware direct.
Period.

You can retain a WIn95 startup floppy, to load in DOS mode, and run the
program from that (provided you retain a FAT partition on the hard disk
for it). A Win98 startup floppy and FAT 32 would be better. But aside
from doing that you are stuck

 

[Yves Leclerc]

Then, it may be time to consider updating teh cad system.

Y.