CompuServe Messages

We are doing a major project using 3DS, and I purchased a 100Mhz 486 DX4 to use primarily as a rendering slave. It works great as a slave, but when I try to use it as a development machine, I get the message that the Sentinel Pro hardware lock is not found. We have nine Sentinel Pros here, and I tried switching to a couple that I know work, and no-go. I read in the Installation Guide that I should try plugging in a printer (or un-plugging a printer. no-go. I called our "Authorized Dealer" who sold us the upgrade, and he was told by Autodesk dealer support to try a different parallel card. This is a VLB machine, and the parallel port is integrated onto the IDE controller. I really don't want to have to take the machine apart and try to figure out how to disable the parallel feature of the IDE card and try a different card. I am currently able to print to an Epson DM printer, an HP LaserJet IIP, and can even use a Colorado TRAKKER tape drive through this port (which usually works on only around 50% of the machines we have tried!). I would hope that Autodesk would have a better answer than "Try and swap hardware until it works" when the hardware is working fine everywhere else. If anyone out there has a solution, please let me know. Otherwise, beware of 3DS and the DX4. P.S. I always thought that the SoftLock-type product ads were just a cover for those who want to pirate software, but I am beginning to see that such a solution may be necessary for legitimate users like myself who are loosing valuable production time due to this hardware lock crap. I will think long and hard next time my purchasing decision involves such a device.