Dongles

Our applications, Terramodel, Paydirt, GeoNav, Geocomp and iWitness, are protected by Software Licence Authentication Tokens. These tokens are also known as security devices, keys, locks and dongles depending on whom you talk to.

One unique key is usually issued for each licence which allows our software to be installed on multiple computers, and freely backed up, but limits the number of computers running the software simultaneously to the number allowed by your licence.

Generally, each licence has one physical key which allows only one operator (or seat) at a time. Large organisations and educational institutions, may prefer licences which permit multiple operators with a single key.

if no key is found, Terramodel will operate in Field Data Module mode (that is, with limited functions) and Terramodel Visualizer will operate in demo mode.

Some applications, including GeoCalc 4.20 and Trimble Data Transfer Utility software do not require a key.

All keys for our current software are supplied by SafeNet. The exception is iWitness, which uses different dongle system. Geocomp and GeoNav use Rainbow Sentinel C version B or CplusB dongles on a parallel port. Terramodel and Paydirt use the Rainbow/SafeNet Sentinel SuperPro on a parallel or USB port.

Older versions of our applications used various other keys. For example, Geocomp up to version 9.07, and GeoNav up to 3.55, will also work with Sentinel C and Sentinel C Version A dongles with DOS, Windows 95 and 98 but may not work on later versions of Windows. It is a similar story with Paydirt and Terramodel. If you upgrade any of our applications to a current version so it can run on current computers, we replace the key with a newer one if required.

If you can't tell the key type because the embossed text has been obscured by a label, you can test for the type using Sentinel Medic.

Parallel Ports

Parallel port keys expect an LPT port of type SPP or ECP. You may need to configure the BIOS to make it visible.

Parallel port keys can be stacked in series. In general, place Sentinel CplusB dongles closest to the computer and then SuperPro dongles then other makes. If a key cannot be found when in a stack, try it by itself, and in all the combinations, to see what is possible.

Do not connect tape drives, zip drives or any other device that is not a printer, plotter or security key, in series with any key. This is likely to damage the dongle, although possibly after a long delay.

USB port extenders will work with printers but usually not with dongles.

If you don't have a parallel port

• If a desktop, add a parallel port card
• If a notebook with a manufacturer-supplied port replicator, use that
• If a notebook with a PC card (not an Express card), try Quatech SPP-100 PCMCIA to Parallel Port card. This usually works, provided
  • The card is matches the computer voltage on to the card slot. You may need model F or G.
  • You install the latest Quatech drivers
  • You install the latest Sentinel Protection Installer (7.3.2 or later)

Terramodel users also have the option of swapping a parallel port key for a USB key, provided Customer Care Membership is current. We are exporing the possibility of making this service available to Geocomp users.

Sentinel System Drivers

To use our software (except iWitness) on Windows NT, 2000 or XP, you need a Sentinel System Driver, or the application may not find the dongle.

If you need to manually install the driver, install the Rainbow Sentinel System Driver from our CD or download the SafeNet Sentinel Protection Installer at SafeNet Sentinel Support. You will need administrator privileges to install the driver, but not to run the application.

If you are using a stand-alone key, if you install the SafeNet Sentinel Protection Installer, select Custom to disable the Sentinel Protection Server and the Sentinel Hardware Key Server, which are not required and can use a lot of memory and CPU time.

With some Toshiba notebooks, the Rainbow Sentinel System Driver is only installed for the USB port, not the parallel port, and thus parallel port keys are not found even after installing the driver. In this case, you need to configure the BIOS on the Toshiba notebook.

For DOS, Windows 3.1, 95, 98 and Me, the Sentinel Driver is usually not required. If the application has trouble finding the key on those operating systems, look under "Control Panel... Add/Remove Programs" and uninstall all copies of Sentinel System Driver. If that does not work, try installing a newer version of the driver.

Activation Codes

For the application to run, it needs to detect and read a key to determine the valid applications, modules, versions, and for demos, number of days. GeoNav is configured for the key before shipment. Geocomp requires an activation code to be entered for each licence to be used on any particular computer. Terramodel and Paydirt activation codes are stored in the key, so they are computer independent. TM HDMS may require an additional registry key.

Lost, Stolen or Faulty Dongles

Our policy is to not replace lost or stolen keys, but we may offer to sell you another licence. Consequently, we recommend that you insure your software including your key, for the replacement value.

Keys are usually robust and last for many years, however, like any other electronic device, they can fail, sometimes inconveniently. When a key fails, normally the application simply cannot find it anymore and give a warning. When current versions of Terramodel cannot find a key, there is no Products button under Help About and the only active module is Field Data.

If a key cannot be found, the most common reasons are that the:

• key is missing
• key is loose
• keys are stacked in the wrong order
• Sentinel system driver is not correctly installed
• Sentinel system driver is installed when it shouldn't be
• port is faulty, non-standard or not activated in BIOS
• cable connecting the key to the port is faulty or too long
• key is faulty
• key is for different software or a different version
• key is too old for the operating system
• computer is a Toshiba notebook

Faulty keys are usually caused by:

• connecting zip drives or other tape backup units to the same port at the same time
• computer-to-computer data transfers through the the dongle
• a bent pin
• a worn pin or socket
• a random or unknown cause
• fire, water, vehicles or impact

If a key is faulty, we will replace it for free provided:

• the faulty key is returned to us,
• the licence is included in a current Customer Care Agreement, and
• the damage was not caused by yourselves.

For Geocomp or GeoNav licences, not covered by the above, we also offer the replacement of faulty keys for AU$440.00.

If you anticipate that there could be a time when you need immediate availability of another licence, but don't want to purchase a licence just for that situation, consider purchasing a HOTKEY for AU$440.00. This is a Terramodel or Paydirt key, plus an activation code for all relevant modules, timed for 10 days. The code is supplied on paper, with the key, and entered by yourself only when you need it.

For Geocomp and GeoNav, which do not have timed dongles, we may be able to supply an inactive key, by special arrangement. This saves shipping time, but still requires the activation code to be requested and supplied.

The fees listed above are for Australian customers and include GST. Customers outside Australia should ask your distributor or ourselves for the local fee.

Transfer

Our licences are issued with conditions, including restrictions on transfer to other parties. If you have any questions about this matter, please refer to the documentation supplied with the software. Ask us for more information, if required.