#3DS hardware lock on DX4
5 messages in this thread
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.
Robert,
<< I would hope that Autodesk would have a better answer than "Try and swap
hardware until it works" … >>
Please download HWLOCK.txt from the 3D Studio section of the lib.
<<
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 losing
valuable production time due to this hardware lock crap.>>
To this I must agree — I'm having the same problems with an old 486/33 — not
an onboard IDE interface, but the dongle doesn't work with my card, although
the liquid speed dongle, and everything else I attach works fine — Anybody out
there listening? Also, what about laptop use? I would like to use 3ds on a
laptop without having to worry about removing the dongle when transporting, or
risk damaging the parallel port, and perhaps the device — (and, of course,
having to switch it back to my main machine when I get back home)
AutoCAD is not dongle protected and it is the same price — what gives, here?
my $.02 FWIW
–John
Joseph, PMJI, but it's _not_ the DX4 causing the problem. Why don't you invest
$30 or so in a BOCA parallel card and disable your VL parallel. You could
probably even get your dealer to lend you the card to see if it works. I'm sure
it would be very simple to disable the current one. You won't have success with
any of the software lock breakers as a few people around here can attest to.
They mess up the internal data structure causing all sorts of weird problems. I
too think it is strange that AutoCAD doesn't use a lock and 3DS does but that's
the way it is right now. You are just going to have to get used to the lock.
99.9% of the installed base doesn't seem to have any problems with it. At least
not many problems – I have to unplug my parallel cable from my printer but I
can live with it to be able to use 3DS. Well just my .02 worth. Good luck
getting yours up and running.
Dave Mennenoh