Broken dongle: how to replace the license?

[Skybird03]

Let's imagine one needs to replace a lost or broken dongle. I understand that it is not necessary to buy a 125 $-package of SPB again. What is the exact procedure to get a working copy again? You order a new dongle from WIBU. Is the new liccence already on it, and all job is done? Or must it be uploaded to it, or a tool beeing downloaded from eSim for that, or how does it work?

I received repeated questions from people at tanksim.com about this for whom a dongle is somehing new. Some I already talked into ordering :) , but several of them are potentially interested in buying this software, but are not willing to spend so much money as long as they do not know how to replace it in a cheaper way in case of the dongle dongleing down. Simply telling them that it is possible is not enough for them.

[Destraex]

wow did not know it came with a dongle

[RENEGADE-623]

wow did not know it came with a dongle
Youo obviously dont have SB Pro PE then

[dejawolf]

i've stepped on my dongle. it still works.

[Skybird03]

i've stepped on my dongle. it still works.
Nice for you, but no answer for me.
Last year a RAM-stick of mine gave up it's life (9 months), from one second to the other. So, these things could happen.

I want to put valid info in my review, to secure people that they must not worry. Telling them "it can be done" leaves them without the answer to "How?". If I would be undecided to spend those 125 dollars, I would at least not be more encouraged to buy.

If the procedure is a recipe for hakcing the game, then tell me so and I shut up immediately.

[smangs]

As far as I know, you can use the WIBU software provided to backup your license. This was the first thing I did. Then, in case your dongle breaks, you will have to buy a replacement (not sure if through eSim or WIBU) but either way it will work. Then you just restore your license key and you are good to go. However, I am sure that eSim or WIBU can restore your license key also if you produce a proof of purchase, however, this should be confirmed by eSim.

[Skybird03]

As far as I know, you can use the WIBU software provided to backup your license. This was the first thing I did. Then, in case your dongle breaks, you will have to buy a replacement (not sure if through eSim or WIBU) but either way it will work. Then you just restore your license key and you are good to go. However, I am sure that eSim or WIBU can restore your license key also if you produce a proof of purchase, however, this should be confirmed by eSim.

Well, I think they really should make that one clear, and better knwon to their customers. I DID NOT know that I can copy the license from the dongle to cd. I'll check it. Thanks.

[Chain]

Is it mentioned in the manual or in the docs?

[smangs]

I know that Ssnake has addressed this question in an earlier post. Do a search on dongle and you should be able to find it.

[Sean]

Skybird, didnt we already talk about this a few weeks/months ago? Smangs comments are correct.

[Skybird03]

Neither has a look at the software on the dongle made me any wiser, nor do I know how the system would work if it is about replacing the dongle. If it is possible to save the license to some place, then I do not knpow how to do it. It also is not in the manual.

And searching for "dongle" gives you 2 pages of topics. Maybe it has been explained in the past, but I missed it. I already have bought, but those still hesitent to buy for the reason that they do not know what will happen if they ever loose/brake their dongle, will not be any happier without answers to that. I have one or two more days of time before the review will be fixed, until then I could get that description squeezed into it. Letting potential customers (of whom many never have dealt with a dongle before) known how it exactly would work in case of emergency is only in the interest of those who want to sell. Even if this answer would be given at the danger of repeating it maybe. ;)

And no, i do have no intention to check 50 threads one by one now ;)

[Double_L]

sounds like someone at tanksim is wondering how to pirate the software.

a related question is, what happens if you crack the SB2 cd in half? do you have to buy a new copy of the software? in most cases, yes.

[smangs]

You should not have to worry about breaking the CD in half because you can always make backup copies. There is nothing to prevent you from doing that because the dongle is required to play the sim and no addition protection is used on the medium, so you can create your own backups.

I am not on my computer right now but regarding backing up the key, just play with the WIBU software supplies, somewhere there is says to backup the key and you can even set it to backup automatically every so often.

[Trekker]

Dubble tap on the WIBU traymark and a website should open, there you will find Backup/restore. But i thing it does that by itself, since when i saved it i found several similear files.

[Ssnake]

There are a number of issues, and some misunderstandings, so... Restoring backup files works only on the same dongle from which the backup was made. If the dongle is broken, and replaced by some other, the backup file is useless. If a dongle is broken, contact us and we'll arrange a replacement.
(You'll need to send in the damaged stick to eSim's PO Box address). If a dongle is lost ... well, if you lose your iPod, Apple won't send a new iPod free of charge either, right?
If circumstantial evidence strongly suggest a true sob story, we may be merciful. If you want to sell SB Pro PE to someone else, but want to keep the CodeMeter stick, that can be arranged as well. Contact us, and we'll help.

[Destraex]

Do I need to keep the dongle in the whole time, or can I disconnect it after load to plug my joystick back in? (limited usb ports)
Perhaps its time for a usb hub before I get this one

[Ssnake]

There's a check for dongle presence every other minute or so. You need more USB ports. Sometimes mainboards have an extra USB root hub that is deactivated, so all it takes is to activate it in the BIOS settings and to connect the cable to a slot outside (at least it was that way with my computer).

[Destraex]

I probably have a couple of extra headers on the motherboard. Finding the actual ports that plug onto the header is going to be a problem though. I am sure I will work it out though.

[Skybird03]

sounds like someone at tanksim is wondering how to pirate the software..

You better be careful now, mate. such things should only be mentioned if one can proove them. Ooh, and the "someone" is the moderator there.

In a very short while you will learn more about me. Then you will realize why I ask.

[Skybird03]

There are a number of issues, and some misunderstandings, so... Restoring backup files works only on the same dongle from which the backup was made. If the dongle is broken, and replaced by some other, the backup file is useless. If a dongle is broken, contact us and we'll arrange a replacement.
(You'll need to send in the damaged stick to eSim's PO Box address). If a dongle is lost ... well, if you lose your iPod, Apple won't send a new iPod free of charge either, right?
If circumstantial evidence strongly suggest a true sob story, we may be merciful. If you want to sell SB Pro PE to someone else, but want to keep the CodeMeter stick, that can be arranged as well. Contact us, and we'll help.

Thanks, Ssnake. That was the info I was asking for.

[smangs]

Mhh, interesting. I seem to remember that that Ssnake said earlier that we could just buy another codemeter stick from WIBU. I guess not. Sorry about the confusion.

[Bluewings]

None has ever craked the WIBU Codemeter Dongle .

1. Via the Internet you can try to search for a generic crack (a software solution that can simulate each key) of WIBU-KEY and CodeMeter - you will find none!
2. WIBU-KEY and CodeMeter are secure against Record/Playback attacts (exchange of the protection DLL against a DLL that records at the first time and later it plays it back).
3. For the integration of your software we offer you with the tool AxProtector a variety of methods against debugging and analysing of your software.
4. AxProtector and IxProtector protect your software against Memory-Dumps and IAT/OEP reconstruction.
5. Identified manipulation attempts allows you to block the hardware (WIBU-BOX or CM-Stick) and therefore the cracker's doesn't have a second chance.

Cheers . :3starSK:

[Double_L]

sounds like someone at tanksim is wondering how to pirate the software..

You better be careful now, mate. such things should only be mentioned if one can proove them. Ooh, and the "someone" is the moderator there.

In a very short while you will learn more about me. Then you will realize why I ask.

huh? i clearly say that it "sounds" like. and i'm not pointing to any individuals. just seems like an odd question - "what happens if my dongle breaks?"

[smangs]

I feel that it is a legit question, since we shelled out $125 and some are wondering what the procedure is to replace them in case they break, which all hardware does at one point or another due to all kinds of reasons. Most software does not depend on additional hardware to run, so some people seem to be nervous and unsure about it.

[Skybird03]

sounds like someone at tanksim is wondering how to pirate the software..

You better be careful now, mate. such things should only be mentioned if one can proove them. Ooh, and the "someone" is the moderator there.

In a very short while you will learn more about me. Then you will realize why I ask.

huh? i clearly say that it "sounds" like. and i'm not pointing to any individuals. just seems like an odd question - "what happens if my dongle breaks?"

If my dongle brakes - do I really have to pay 125 dollars again? THIS is the question that hesitent customers are concerned of. Replacing a 29 Dollar game (if CD is scratchs or brakes) is one thing. Replacing a 125 dollar sim is something different int heir eyes. It can only be of benefit for the develoeper if such basic and valid questions get answered as precise as possible, to make them happy customers by convincing them with details and arguments given by the sim and the service themselves, hopefully.

[PaleRider]

quote]If my dongle brakes - do I really have to pay 125 dollars again? THIS is the question that hesitent customers are concerned of. Replacing a 29 Dollar game (if CD is scratchs or brakes) is one thing. Replacing a 125 dollar sim is something different int heir eyes. It can only be of benefit for the develoeper if such basic and valid questions get answered as precise as possible, to make them happy customers by convincing them with details and arguments given by the sim and the service themselves, hopefully.[/quote]

No, you will pay $25 which includes shipping. How do I know this? I already broke mine!!! :evil: Just waiting for my replacement dongle now.

[Double_L]

quote]If my dongle brakes - do I really have to pay 125 dollars again? THIS is the question that hesitent customers are concerned of. Replacing a 29 Dollar game (if CD is scratchs or brakes) is one thing. Replacing a 125 dollar sim is something different int heir eyes. It can only be of benefit for the develoeper if such basic and valid questions get answered as precise as possible, to make them happy customers by convincing them with details and arguments given by the sim and the service themselves, hopefully.

No, you will pay $25 which includes shipping. How do I know this? I already broke mine!!! :evil: Just waiting for my replacement dongle now.[/quote]

i gotta know - so it doesn't happen to me: how did you break it?

[PaleRider]

To hard to explain. Just remember to remove the dongle if you are going to move your computer or use a USB hub.