CompuServe Thread

#Defective Dongle

4 messages in this thread
#2455From: Steven MusseyDec 15, 1994 8:25 PM
My copy of Animation Master arrived by two-day UPS today. It was a Christmas Present to myself. For some reason, a little bird told me to verify that it was intact. It is a good thing that I looked inside and did a test installation because… …THE DAMNED DONGLE IS DEFECTIVE!!! THIS IS JUST SWELL!! I SEND YOU ALL MY MONEY AND YOU ALL SEND ME A PIECE OF CRAP FOR HARDWARE!! The defect is in one of the screws that holds in the dongle. Thanks to the dongle's CHEAP workmanship, the screw is off a bit too far in the lateral direction. It doesn't fit my computer. It doesn't fit my son's computer. It doesn't fit ANY computer!! My parallel port is fine! Your dongle is the problem! Since I can't screw in one of the screws on the dongle, I can plug in the dongle, but I have to keep my printer disconnected. The remaining screw is left to stick out, effectively rendering the machine's only parallel port useless. WHAT THE HELL KIND OF WORKMANSHIP IS THIS? I've left two numbers with your tech support and your sales number. Of course, no one has called me yet…. Strange how fast you responded when I wanted to buy the program…. Let's get this straight: I do not intend to have to throw more money into the trashcan mailing the dongle back to you and then waiting another two weeks for you all to finally mail me back a working dongle. SEND ME A WORKING NON-DEFORMED DONGLE NOW AND I WILL IMMEDIATELY RETURN THE DEFECTIVE DONGLE WHEN I GET THE DONGLE FROM YOU BY TWO-DAY UPS. That way I can at least have use of the program while I wait for you all to get your act together. Yep! I'm angry! I'm not thrilled about dongles, but accept them as a necessary evil to enforce software piracy. What I do not accept is when sloppy workmanship renders a product useless. You have my money. I want a working product. I'm waiting for your call. You have my address and phone number. Steven Mussey M.D.
#2461From: KEVIN SANDERSONDec 15, 1994 11:38 PM
Hope you don't mind my jumping in…I had trouble at first getting my dongle on to my NEC, but with a little perseverance, I finally did. It, too, was one little screw, but I finally got it to seat properly and everything has been fine. The connectors are made by a software protection company, not Hash. I would try it again..I did and it finally went in. Kevin
#2462From: Steven MusseyDec 16, 1994 5:27 AM
I've tried and the screw is lodged simply too far out laterally. I'm really annoyed at it. I don't care if Hash makes it or not. They've decided to make it a part of their product, leaving me with the choice of disabling part of my system to simply use their software or not using it at all I just hate the hassle of now having to spend time in the busy mail season to now try and get a nondeformed dongle. It's shabby workmanship and that is what annoys me. It this is a general problem… and your comments make me think that this is the case, then Hash needs to fire their dongle manufacturer and get someone else, rather than leaving us to sort it out! Thanks for the help, though. Steve
#2475From: Richard CliftonDec 16, 1994 6:38 PM
It may make you feel better to know this. I have a really cheap UK 486 clone (Multiplex – ever heard of it? I think they went bust a while back). This has really bad connector workmanship and almost NOTHING fits it except the Animation Master dongle (blessings be upon it). Just goes to show something or other.