smartcam "dongle" problem

[gman]

I have smartcam ver11.5 running on windows98 with a "dongle" (security device) in the parrallel port. I wanted to install the software on a windows xp computer, it looks like the software installed but the computer is not reckanizing the dongle--anybody have any ideas--My only idea is trying to reinstall windows 98 in place of windows xp.

[neilw20]

You might try running compatibility mode in XP for that application.
It might become smarter then. How is their product support?

[gman]

Got an email back pretty fast basically telling me to upgrade the software and contact their sales dept. They said my version of software will not work on XP I really do not want or need to upgrade as long as
I can get the software installed on another PC. Running the software as you suggested doesn't change the hardware for the security device--thanks for the idea

I have an old copy of windows98. I'm going to try to install on a Windowsxp machine. The original pc is still working but it is old and just trying to be pro-active

[neilw20]

After sales support is like a vacuum cleaner. It sucks. Gotcha money. Want more.
If the XP PC has a similar port to what the original was operating on, you should still be able to make it work. It is just a bit (no pun intended) harder.
If they can make Mach3 run on XP then the ports are still usable.
Stuff I have written using ports has been upgraded from Win98 even to Vista and it still can be made to work. See some Windows forums for good help.

[ger21]

Try installing dongle drivers from http://www.safenet-inc.com/

[Delw]

I know this is a late post, but smartcam v 11.5 I don't think used a dongle, they use a software code read off your CPU.
if you have to change pcs then you call them up and they will give you the code that matchs your software.

I know there was dongles used in the dos versions back in the early nineties. I thought version 10 or 9 is when they quit using dongles.
I like the dongles much better personally that way when I went home and wanted to work I could just take the dongle with me.

version 11.5 works fine off of xp, it will lock up from time to time unless you turn off a certain perameter in windows language pack on xp.

hopefully in the real near future I am upgrading to freeform ver15+ its suppose to be awsum.

[gman]

thanks for the replay---the original version I purchase was 10.something, and I just kept upgrading to the final version 11.5 but still need the dongle. I donot want or need to upgrade to the current version--I will probably just install windows 98 on a new computer

thanks for your thoughts