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Updated: 11-12-2006 |
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Q: What is software locking technology?
A: In most countries around the world, Autodesk secured individual
AutoCAD licenses with a hardware lock consisting of a dongle that
attached to a computer's parallel port. Beginning with AutoCAD 2002 and
2002-based
products, Autodesk will use a software mechanism to secure individual
licenses of AutoCAD 2002 to a particular machine, though the license
can be exported to other machines using the Portable License Utility,
which will be
discussed in greater detail in this document. |
Q: Why has Autodesk chosen to utilize
soft-locking instead of hardware locking?
A: There are many reasons why software locking will be
advantageous to Autodesk's customers.
The most important are:
- Reliability: Software locking eliminates difficulties
associated with field failure of hardware locks. This will not
only
reduce the amount of technical support assistance required by
customers, but will also substantially ease the
installation and maintenance of AutoCAD 2002 in general.
- Deployability: In the near future, software locking will make
it possible for customers to deploy additional seats
of AutoCAD 2002 without the need for additional CDs or
hardware locks in connection with Autodesk's MML
program
- Ecommerce: With soft locking technology, 30 day trial
versions of AutoCAD 2002 can potentially be upgraded
to a full (perpetual) seat once authorized. This is a planned
for the future.
- Customer convenience: Software locking removes the need for a
long chain of hardware locks on each system
and eliminates hardware locks interfering with other peripheral
devices on a customer's system. |
Q: What technology is being used for this
software licensing feature?
A: The technology being used is from C-Dilla, which is
a wholly owned subsidiary of Macrovision. |
Q: Do any other software products use
this technology?
A: Yes. Macrovision and C-Dilla work currently with
the industry's best-known software vendors,, including
Microsoft, Lotus, Borland, Electronic Arts and Symantec. |
Q: What products and countries are affected?
A: In Europe, Middle East and Africa all versions of AutoCAD 2002 will contain softlocking. All full commercial, NFR and
educational institution seats of AutoCAD LT 2002 will not use
software locking. The student version and the Trial version of AutoCAD
LT 2002 will also include softlocking. |
Q: For users accustomed to hardware
locks, what are the primary differences when using the software
license manager?
A: The key user differences of the license manager version
are:
? No hardware lock
? Unique authorization required per machine
? Product license tied to a specific machine
? Re-authorization or a repair-code is required if significant
system environment changes e.g. new primary hard
disk, new computer, etc. This can be avoided for planned
maintenance by using the Portable License Utility.
? Portable License Utility enables movement of licenses between
machines
? Administrative rights required prior to installation |
Q: Can I exchange my existing hardware
lock seat for the software license version?
A: No, you cannot exchange an existing version.
You will need to upgrade to AutoCAD2002 or an AutoCAD 2002 based
product, to take advantage of the new software license manager. |
Q: I currently have other hardware locked
products of Autodesk. Can I get those in a software license
version also?
A: Over time, most hardware lock products will be converted
to use the software license manager. We believe other companies
that use hardware locks will also follow Autodesk in this direction. |
Q: Can customers get a hardware locked
version of AutoCAD 2002?
A: No. For the new products that use the new
software license manager, the hardware lock is not an option.
The hardware locked version AutoCAD 2000, and the 2000 family, will
still be available for a period of time. |
Q: One advantage of the hardware lock is its
portability to work on different machines I routinely use. How
is this handled with a soft-locked product?
A: The AutoCAD 2002 software locking technology incorporates a
Portable License Utility (PLU) that allows you to export the active
license and use it on any other machine you choose. It significantly
increases product flexibility and reliability when working on
different machines from time-to-time. Please remember that the license
can only be active on one machine at a time. |
Q: What if I export my license and forget the
exported license at home the next day?
A: AutoCAD 2002 will allow you to run in an unlicensed mode for
24 hours, giving the user full access to the product's functionality
until the exported license can be retrieved. |
Q: How do I get my authorization code?
A: Customers are advised to request an authorization code
from their respective authorized dealer by using
fax, phone or email as alternatives. |
Q: I manage a large number of AutoCAD 2002 seats. Is there an easy way to register and authorize all of
them at one time?
A: If you have a single license with multiple copies of AutoCAD 2002
(or 2002-based product), you can enter the serial numbers and
request codes, if applicable, for all seats on one screen and receive
all authorization codes
at once.
The procedure is as follows:
? With AutoCAD 2002, a System Administrator will be able to
create a client install deployment tree, using the Network Setup
Wizard. This creates a directory location on a server, that users can
access to install a locked,
standalone seat.
? When setting up the install deployment tree, the Sys Admin
will be prompted to fill out their registration information, which is
saved to a file.
? When each client performs their installation from the
deployment location, the registration information that was saved by
the Sys Admin, is written locally to the users machine.
? When the client launches, they are prompted for
authorization, but they will not have to go through all of Electronic
Registration like other users do. Instead, they will receive a
single dialog telling them that all of
their registration information has been pre-populated and that they
only need to select the submit button to send their data
electronically and receive their authorization code the same way.
? The user selects submit, an electronic connection is made
with Autodesk, their registration information is passed and an
authorization code is returned.
The intent of this process is to simplify the end user process for
getting
an authorization code when large sites deploy many standalone locked
seats. |
Q: My company uses NLM. Are there
changes to the current Network License Manager?
A: Yes. Theres is a C-dilla new and very
flexible License Manager. |
Q: Will the product work without
authorization, when first installed?
A: Yes, however, the product will only work without
authorization during the initial grace period, which is 15 days from
first launch. |
Q: What information is needed for
authorization?
A: The user needs to provide their registration data,
software serial number and CD key. |
Q: What is a 'Request Code'?
A: The Request Code is a unique number that is
generated automatically by the license manager. It is required,
along with your serial number, for product registration and
authorization. The request code is displayed in Register Today,
for submitting registration and authorization data. |
Q: Will a re-install of the product
provide a new 15 day grace period?
A: No |
Q: What if my PC changes?
A: If the user makes significant changes to their
primary hard disk, they may be required to contact Autodesk via
Register Today for another authorization code. The authorization
codes are unique in every instance. |
Q: What common changes can trigger the need
for re-authorization?
A: The following may require a user to re-authorize:
? Winding back the system date on the machine
? Significant change to the primary boot disk
? Deleting anything from the hidden C:\c_dilla directory |
Q: Can the original authorization code be
used rather than calling Autodesk for additional authorization?
A: No. The authorization code is unique in every
instance and cannot be used more than once. |
Q: Must the user also provide a Request
Code for re-authorization?
A: Yes, the user must provide the Request Code
generated by the application along with serial number and all other
registration information for authorization. |
Q: Do slight system clock changes require
re-authorization? (e.g. daylight savings)
A: No. Only changes that move the system clock
back more than two days have any impact. If the system clock is
wound back by more than two days, the user is given a chance to reset
the clock back to where it was, or must contact Autodesk for new
authorization. However, changing the calendar settings to allow
longer-term usage of an unauthorized copy of AutoCAD will result in
AutoCAD not running any longer until it has been authorized. |
Q: Does an uninstall / reinstall require
a new authorization code?
A: No. The license rights to the application are
contained in locations that are not removed in a standard uninstall
process. When reinstallation happens, the previous license
rights to the application are restored. |
Q: Does flashing BIOS require
re-authorization?
A: No. BIOS changes will not impact the license. |
Q: Does performing a disk image restore
of the primary boot disk, like using 'Ghost' or from a back-up require
re-authorization? Like running in a training lab environment?
A: Re-authorization can be avoided if planned.
Assuming reinstallation of the product is not required, there are a
few additional steps that may be followed to avoid having to get a new
authorization code after restoring a
disk image. These steps are outlined in the product
documentation. |
Q: Does adding a new hard disk require
re-authorization?
A: No. Only changes to the primary boot disk may
require new authorization. |
Q: Can re-authorization be avoided for
planned hardware changes?
A: Yes, with an additional machine, you can use the Portable
License Utility to "park" a license while making hardware
changes on your existing machine. When finished, you can move
the license back to your upgraded/new machine. |
Q. How do I move my license from one
machine to another?
A. The Portable License Utility facilitates this. (If you are
familiar with the old hardware lock, you can think of this a moving
the hardware lock from one machine to another). Run the Portable
License Utility. To just get a feel for the PLU, you can export
to your own PC, and import it back! Follow these steps:
1. Launch PLU, go to the Import page, highlight the MIC of your
PC, right click, and copy it to the clipboard.
2. On the Pool page, click Add, type in a name for your PC, then
in the MIC field, right click and paste in your MIC.
3. On the Export page, expand the "+" sign under your
license, highlight your PC's name, and click Export (you're forced to
use the file method the first time).
4. Now, try to run AutoCAD 2002, and see the message you get.
5. Run PLU, and on the Import page, import the file you just
created. |
Q. How do I get my license back?
A. After you import, the MIC of the PC you got it from will
automatically be added to your pool. TIP: In the "Export Type
Selection" dialog, the checkbox "Transfer Pool Information
with File" is checked by default. Leave it checked.
This way, all of the PCs in your pool will get added to the pool of
the destination machine, when the license is imported. |
Q. Can more than two PCs be in the pool?
A. No. This is not permitted by the AutoCAD 2002 software license
agreement. Please refer to the section entitled Additional
Installation for further details. |
Q. I export back and forth from home all
the time, and I'm tired of writing floppy disks all the time. Is
there another way.
A. Yes. The first time you've exported to a PC, you
have to write the file (and it can be anywhere, on a floppy, or shared
network drive). But after that, you can use the "Transfer
Code" instead. Export normally, but instead of typing a
file name, on the Export Type Selection dialog, pick the
"Transfer Code" option. Write down the code and click
Transfer. On the other PC, pick "Transfer Code" again
on the Import page, and type in the
code. NOTE: codes can't be reused; you'll get a new one each
time. |
Q. I exported my license, writing the
file on a floppy disk, and now I lost the floppy disk (or it's
unreadable), and I can't run on either PC.
A. On the PC where you last worked, run PLU and export the license
again, and make a new floppy. This works because it remembers which PC
you exported it to, and you can only re-export to the same PC. |
Q. I exported my license by mistake to a
PC that no longer exists, or to a PC that was lost or stolen, and
can't run. My computer had a serious hard-disk or BIOS failure.
What should I do?
A. Contact Autodesk registration center directly via fax,
email or online. We will help you reinitiate your AutoCAD license. |
Q: What if the system being used does not
have a hard disk?
A: The application will not work, as the software
license manager does not support diskless workstations. |
Q. Importing a license file, I get error
1291, "The supplied import data is now obsolete. A more
up-to-date version probably exists.". What do I do?
A. The license file is continuously updated, every time it's
exported, imported, or the product is run. You have to be using
the very latest version of the license file at all times. Let's
say on PC1 you export to a floppy. Now the floppy has the latest
version. When you import that on PC2, the license on PC2 is now
the latest version. If you were to try to import that same
floppy again, you'd get a 1291 -- because it's now obsolete.
Otherwise, you could export to PC3, and then reimport from this floppy
again - trying to make two licenses where you only have one. |
Q. On import, I get error 1290, "The
supplied data is not destined for this machine. Please check that the
file has been transferred to the correct machine.".
A. Here's how this can happen. On PC1, you select PC2
and export to it, creating a floppy. You take that floppy to PC3
and try to import. Sorry: it wasn't intended to go to PC3.
This restriction is necessary for security
reasons. If you want the license on PC3, you'll have to import
on PC2, and then export it, selecting PC3 as the destination. |
Q. I'm going to make a major hardware
modification to my PC: changing the main hard disk, the motherboard,
upgrading the BIOS -- something more serious than just adding memory
or changing the video card (which don't
require reauthorization). How can I avoid breaking my license
and having to reauthorize it?
A. You can save a support call by "parking" your
license on another PC temporarily. Export your license to
another PC, and then make your modifications. Before importing
it back, run the PLU on your modified PC,
and on the Import page, double-check the MIC. If a drastic
enough change has been made, the MIC might have been changed. If
so, you'll have to update the new MIC in the pool entry for this PC on
the machine where the license was parked, before exporting back. |
