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Frequently Asked Questions

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Questions

Why am I getting a “Hardware security key not found!” message?
Why is it necessary to use a dedicated parallel port for the Wizard security key?

Answers

Why am I getting a “Hardware security key not found!” message?
A hardware security key is required to run all full functioning levels of the Wizard. The demo versions include all the programs’ internal functions, but the output functions are all truncated and do not require a security key. If you are trying to run a full function program and the hardware security key is not attached or if it is not functioning correctly, you will see the Hardware security key not found! Message. There will also be a code number following the message indicating the probable cause of the message. There are several possible causes for these error messages.

One reason may be that the parallel port is not set to the correct mode. If you are installing Sign Wizard or Neon Wizard for the first time on a new computer, the LPT ports should be set for the SPP or STANDARD mode in the BIOS or CMOS. Inexperienced users should be very careful attempting to change these settings. Other parallel port modes (EPC or EPP) are known to prevent the software from accessing the security key device attached to an LPT port.

By far the most common reason for the Hardware security key not found! Message is that the key has not been attached to a dedicated parallel port – a printer or plotter was connected to the back of the key or a security key from another program was attached to the same parallel port. There are several ways to isolate the security key and avoid this problem which may otherwise interrupt your production at a very inopportune time:

(1) If your computer does not have another parallel port available, you can install an additional parallel port in your computer. Plug and Play parallel ports for use in both ISA and PCI slots typically cost about $30 and they can usually be installed without the help of a “computer expert”.

(2) If you are connecting a plotter to the back of the key (using a parallel communication system), your plotter may be equipped with a serial port (in addition to its parallel port) which you can use to send data from the Wizard. If you switch from parallel to serial communication, be sure to use the serial cable provided with your plotter or one that is approved by the manufacturer of your plotter.

(3) Aries Graphics now supplies security keys that use the USB (Universal Serial Bus) system which has been supplied on most computers built in the past few years. The number of available USB ports can be easily expanded with a USB hub. This is a good solution if you’re using a laptop computer since it is usually very difficult to add an additional parallel port to a laptop.

Why is it necessary to use a dedicated parallel port for the Wizard security key?
This refers to older keys. USB keys are now sent out.
There are two potential problems that arise when peripherals use the same parallel port to which the security key is attached: (1) interference with the operation of the key caused by data being sent to the peripheral devices which can ultimately cause the key to fail and (2) interference in the operation of the peripherals caused by data sent between Sign Wizard or Neon Wizard and the key. Both of these problems are eliminated by using a dedicated parallel port for the security key. “Dedicated port” means that nothing is attached to the back of the key and no other security keys are attached to the same port.
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