Dongle error when edge printing

[Billct2]

This problem is not new, but seems to be getting worse.
I get the error message when printing to the Edge, "Can't locate security key, want to run in Demo mode", I decline/tell it to keep looking and eventually it finds it. The Edge job keeps running fine, but I can't work in Omega till it's either finished or found the dongle. This only seems to happen when running the Edge. I pulled the dongle and reinstalled it to make sure the cionnection is good.
Do I need to reinstall the drivers?

 

[Tim Aucoin]

I've had this happen to me with other software I run that uses a dongle. Re-installing the dongle driver software has always cured the problem and I can only assume it could help in your situation. Couldn't hurt to try anyhow!

 

[CanuckSigns]

We have the same problem sometimes with Omega, at least it gives you some warning,

Our engraving program (re-branded sign lab) just shuts down when it can't find the dongle, no warning or prompt to save your work (i've made a few very angry phone calls to the tech support over this issue)

Why can't these programs verify the dongle is there when you start to program and then leave it untill the next time you start up? checking when you are in the middle of a job is just asking for trouble.

I paid almost $4000 for this engraving software, but every time I use it I feel like a thief.

 

[Tony Teveris]

"Why can't these programs verify the dongle is there when you start to program and then leave it untill the next time you start up" because you user's would start the app. pull the key and never exit the app.....

Make sure that the security key setup is ONLY searching the port where the securty key is install (USB vs Parallel). At Gerber we have had plenty of USB ports go dead, we assume from wear and tear though mostly on computers testing USB devices w/ constant plug/unplgging.

What version of Omega?

 

[CanuckSigns]

"Why can't these programs verify the dongle is there when you start to program and then leave it untill the next time you start up" because you user's would start the app. pull the key and never exit the app.....

Make sure that the security key setup is ONLY searching the port where the securty key is install (USB vs Parallel). At Gerber we have had plenty of USB ports go dead, we assume from wear and tear though mostly on computers testing USB devices w/ constant plug/unplgging.

What version of Omega?

I fail to see how that is an issue, I understand that software companies need to protect their product, but the measures they put in place to do so should not impact the users productivity. (i'm not talking about Gerber here, as i said in my earlier post, Omega gives you some warning at least)

Take my engraving program for example (Vision Pro, which is rebranded sign lab) I will be working away and all of a sudden the program will crash and I will get a message about how it can't find the security device, no warning or anything.

Dongles and other hardware based security items are just that HARDWARE, they are bound to fail at some point and punishing a paying customer because there is a chance that someone could pirate your software is paranoid and bad business.

From now on if I have a choice between a program that uses a dongle and one that uses another method, the dongle will loose my business.

 

[V-ENGRAVE]

When I was on market for engraving system in early '90s it was Xenetech program that won me over. I use it to run not only rotary engraver but also Universal laser. It does not have dongle. It is software key that unlocks your working program.When ever I buy new computer just call the factory to enable new software installation at no charge.
Did I say I love their software?

 

[The Equipment Guy]

Keep in mind that the dongle is a system that is designed by Rainbow not Gerber. It is very worthwhile to make sure that you have set up sentinel driver correctly...I believe otherwise Omega has to poll all the ports to check for the dongle...if it sees something confusing like another dongle or a bad port, you can get snookered. Tony can explain it better. There is great documentation in the Gerber Fastfacts on their site for setting it up right.

Once you have built a program that is successful enough to have hundreds of thousands of users you need to have a hands off type of security or charge huge dollars for every upgrade to pay for the support...or go naked and lose your shirt like Corel did around Corel 5.

Scott, I think yours is set up correctly, but with the 'puter switching it might be good to check.

Craig

 

[Billct2]

I'm running Omega 2.5.
I'll try reinstalling the drivers as soon as I have the opportunity.
What I wonder is why am I able to use the program flawlessly until I send a file to the Edge? Doesn't the program itself read the dongle in order to run?

 

[Tony Teveris]

When the security key is read the app makes a request to the security driver, the driver depending upon the setup will directly read a particular port (USB or Parallel) to find the key. If your security driver set is setup to read both USB and parallel ports then when the request is made the driver needs to "poll" each port. In this case if your Edge is on the parallel port this is the port the driver will "poll" first. If the GQMgr is pumping out data to the parallel port and Composer or GspPlot make a security request the security driver also starts "polling" the parallel port and if the request takes to long after a number of tries you get the error. That is way it is important to setup the security driver to ONLY read the port where the key actually resides, USB or Parallel.

I think with Omega 2.5 the driver was initial setup to "poll" both ports. I'm sure off the Omega Start menu there is a Sentinal Config selection to get you to the proper setup.

 

[Billct2]

Thanks