The cleaner broke our USB Key :(


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I am not sure if this falls within piracy rules or not, please delete if it is against the rules and accept my apologies....

Hey All,

I have a slight issue this morning, we have an old version of AutoCAD that requires the USB Key to be connected to the PC in order for it to run. We had the key plugged into the front of the PC which is on the floor, totally stupid place for it in hindsight but the cleaner accidentally knocked the USB Key with the hoover and snapped it!

I have managed to get the USB Key working again with some glue, however i would ideally like to make a copy of this USB Key so we can use that instead.

We have contacted AutoCAD to see if they can provide a new key, but they only want to sell us the newest version of the software :(

I have all the license codes here for our product etc, it is just the key that i need to some how "back up"

Does anyone know how to do this? Or is it impossible?

Many Thanks

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What does the USB key look like? What does it identify itself as in device manager and what's the vender ID and product ID?

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Not sure how much I can say, but there are companies that sell USB clones - they copy a USB key (dongle, not a USB memory stick) 1 to 1.

No idea how they work though.

Surely the cleaners have public liability insurance for this?

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The computer doesn't show any signs of recognizing the usb key as far as i can tell, nothing showing up in My Computer, nothing under Device Manager or Disk Management etc,

It was just an accident i cant really put it all on the cleaner, we should of had it in the back of the pc for a start, out the way :(

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The dongle isn't just a USB mass storage device. You won't be able to duplicate it... I would put in on an extension cable, and while it's still working, pot it and the extension together in a non-conductive epoxy like Devcon Plastic Welder - which is very inflexible when cured. Then you can stick that inside the PC and route the extension through some hole into a USB port.

If you have a legit license, you can choose to use a crack or dongle emulator instead of the dongle. You can do more research but I think the law is on your side.

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It was just an accident i cant really put it all on the cleaner, we should of had it in the back of the pc for a start, out the way :(

Sounds like you are a fair person when it comes to going after people for damages. With that said - while it might be your fault partly because the drive was in front of the computer, the cleaner should have been paying closer attention to devices attached to the front of the computer. Not sure how it would pan out in a court case (Not that you would), but what it if was a priceless family item sitting on a shelf, or a one of a kind item that was sitting on a low shelf and they hit it, would you feel the same way?

If your cleaner is bonded/insured they would be liable at that point for replacement of the hardware which they broke. Bottom line is, while you may see it as partly your fault, it is the responsibility of the person performing the services to ensure that they are not doing damage. (espeically if you had the hardware in front of the computer for some time before this incident.)

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As far as the dongle, you said you fixed it by using glue, so I would suggest as long as the UK laws allow, (I see that you live there), going all out and attempting to do a copy. Hardware dongles however are more hardware with special circuitry which can't be replicated software wise. If the dongle's plastic enclosure broke, and no harm has been done to the components, why not make your own enclosure for it? Sugru is supposed to be good for making things like this, (Mold your own enclosures). Or perhaps a 3D printer. :)

I almost think I would probably end up running it sans the case until I figured out what to do with it like mounting it inside the computer tower and connecting via USB internally, or putting it in a different plastic enclosure.

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What version is it? You might be able to find a download for it somewhere on the internet which you can then put on a new USB device. From my past experience, your current USB device is dead.

Downloading a program doesn't come under piracy so go ahead.

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Hello,

Did you contact AutoCAD directly, or a reseller or distributor?

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

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I had a similar thing with AutoCAD except it was my own fault (tripped over and my palm landed on the usb key). I phoned them up, and they asked me to send back the entire packaging, invoice and the broken USB key, and they sent out another one.

They actually waived the charge and did it free of charge too which was nice. Maybe try calling them again and asking what they can do - as they *can* send out new keys.

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You could approach a person good with a soldering iron and get them to remount the circuit board in a new key housing but there is a small chance that damage to the key may make it unusable

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gotta love those keys, the software you spend the most money on treats you most like a pirate.

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the USB key isn't just a storage device. there is an actual security chip that does the authentication. there is no way you will be able to duplicate it.

now depending on the damage,you may have some options. if you can post pictures we can help. are you able to open the case of the USB device and post a picture of the circuit board? as long as there isn't damage to the circuit board,then it will be possible to bring it back to life. maybe a little soldering is all that's needed. again it depends if the circuit board got damaged,and what kind of damage. if you can provide pictures,we can give you a better assessment.

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It was just an accident

Agreed, and this is what public liability insurance is for.

there is no way you will be able to duplicate it

Absolute tosh! Solutions ARE 100% available. Not cheap but available.

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Absolute tosh! Solutions ARE 100% available. Not cheap but available.

of course you can send it off to a lab to extract the hardware encryption key, but that will easily cost you 20,000$ + . but notice how I said he will never be able to duplicate it. im talking about himself.

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