CADSIM Plus says that it cannot find the key and/or the key does not light up when plugged into my computer. What's wrong?

For network or stand-alone key users:

If a CADSIM Plus USB key does not light up when it is plugged into your computer, then it is likely that the HASP device drivers are not installed or not working properly. This will result in an error message when CADSIM Plus is started:

Key serial No. xxxx not found. Please check your ports for the correct key.

One of the reasons that this may happen is that you are installing a legacy version of the CADSIM Plus software and the HASP device drivers cannot work with your current version of Windows. Consequently, you may need to obtain newer (or legacy) versions of the HASP device drivers:

Newer versions of the HASP device drivers can be downloaded from Aladdin's current HL drivers webpage or by contacting Aurel Systems.
Legacy versions of the HASP device drivers can downloaded from Aladdin's legacy HASP4 drivers webpage or by contacting Aurel Systems.

Note: IT support personnel who are installing the HASP License Manager for network users, can find legacy HASP device drivers on the HASP License Manager CD, in the HASP Device Drivers\Win32\Legacy drivers folder.

For network key users:

CADSIM Plus searches your network to locate the HASP License Manager and the correct HASP key that will authorize the launch of your CADSIM Plus software. This search can take a long time, or even fail, if your computer is attached to a large network. You may see one of the following messages from CADSIM Plus if it fails to find the License Manager or a valid network key:

Key serial No. xxxx not found. Please contact your System Administrator for more information.
or...
HASP License Manager not found. Please contact your System Administrator for more information.

First, check with your IT support person to ensure that the key and HASP License Manager software have been installed and set up correctly and that there is no Windows firewall blocking access between the License Manager or CADSIM Plus and the key.

To speed up CADSIM Plus in locating the License Manager, place an edited copy of the NETHASP.INI file on each of the local CADSIM Plus client computers that will be accessing the network key. A good location for the NETHASP.INI file is the c:\Program Files\Aurel Systems\CADSIM Plus\Bin folder.

Notes:

The NETHASP.INI must be customized with the address of the server that is hosting the HASP License Manager and key. A number of examples of NETHASP.INI files can be found on the HASP License Manager CD, in the NetHASP Example INI Files folder.

Remember that you must update the NETHASP.INI file on each CADSIM Plus workstation, if the HASP License Manager and key are moved to another server.

Old copies of NETHASP.INI file may remain after CADSIM Plus had been removed from a workstation. If CADSIM Plus is installed at a later date, the NETHASP.INI may still point to an old server location, causing CADSIM Plus to fail at startup.

1. Install the HASP License Manager software on your server. The software is located in the HASP License Managers folder on the HASP License Manager CD. Choose a version that is appropriate for your server's operating system.
2. Note that in a peer-to-peer or workgroup Windows network, any PC can host the HASP License Manager software and key.
3. Install the HASP Device Driver. This allows the HASP License Manager to talk to the HASP key. Note that this step may be handled by the License Manager installer (Win32). HASP device drivers are located in the HASP Device Drivers folder on the HASP License Manager CD. Note that you should install the driver before you plug in the USB versions of the HASP network key.
4. Connect the HASP network key and verify that the License Manager and key are working (the USB key should light up). Note that the HASP network key can also be used as a stand-alone key on any CADSIM Plus workstation.
5. Test to see that the CADSIM Plus software successfully locates HASP License Manager and runs on the client computer(s). If it does not, or if it takes a long time to start up, you may need to add a customized copy of the NETHASP.INI file to each client computer. Note that the addition of the NETHASP.INI file may speed up the startup process because CADSIM Plus will not have to search your entire network for the License Manager.
6. Windows Firewall can block the HASP License Manager. You may have to add the HASP License Manager software to any firewall exception lists on your server.