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View Full Version : Teal key and 3.5.1 PowerPCB Install


randychase
01-16-2002, 11:02 AM
Found an interesting thing.

For most of us, we were shipped an new CD called 3.5.1 PowerPCB. There was a version 3.6 that was a web update patch you downloaded, but it had to do with something involving the link to Powerlogic or something like that. I don't know, it did not matter to me.

Now here is where it gets wierd.

I installed 3.5.1 again on a machine and it would not see the HOST ID. New teal key. Did everything as far as checking to make sure the parallel port was bidirectional (and set correctly). Tried it in different machines, same thing.

Called Innoveda. Turns out you can't install 3.5.1 with the newer teal keys. It does not work. You have to install 3.6 CD. A CD I never got. So they sent out a new 3.6 CD and it does indeed fix the problem.

Turns out that how they handle the new teal key was changed and you have to have 3.6 install to have it work correctly. Since I had 3.5.1 previously on my machine, I assume that prior installations of previous versions do not have a problem, just installs. I hope.

But it means I will not be able to install earlier versions of PowerPCB which is not good. I try to maintain earlier versions so I can output customer files in those versions. I find the "OUTPUT AS 3.0" or whatever does not work as well as one might hope.

Anyways. An interesting thing in case you ever want to install older verson with a teal key.


I have really grown to dislike the key situation over the years. It has caused a lot of pain. I *LIKE* the fact the software is copy protected. I bought mine, and I want my competition to have also bought their's. But I wish it was not such a hassle!

Lameris
01-17-2002, 05:52 AM
Teal vs Pink keys

Why does "Pads" require you to turn in a pink key to get a teal key. Each key has an associated license to run the program. It does not cause a licensing problem unless they issue duplicate licenses for the same version to both keys.

The license problem extends to "Floating" licenses too. Until Version 4 came out. I was never able to run an older version of the software once I was issued the license for the current version. This is the first time I can run 3.6 software (not that I have, but I can)

Contrast this to Viewdraw, whose licenses allow me to run the oldest versions of software I have (well any windows version).

This brings up an interesting question, Should a vendor who creates these license files go under... What happens to the users?