Depending on the package you currently use, your CADlink software may have been shipped with a USB security dongle containing your license files. While most people simply plug the dongle in and forget about it, there are some “features” built in to Windows that can cause some problems.
If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’ve encountered the “error locating security device” message. There’s no need to call the police and file a missing dongle report though. Windows will put USB ports to sleep that it thinks are no longer in use. If your dongle is plugged in to a port that has been put to sleep, it’s the same as it not being plugged in, generating the error.
Fixing this is pretty simple, just follow these steps:
1) Right click on the Windows icon and select “Device Manager”.
2) Scroll down to “Universal Serial Bus controllers” and expand the options with the arrow on the left. Here, you will be looking for the item called “usb mass storage device”. If you aren’t sure which entry it is, keep this window open and remove/reinsert the dongle. It’s the new one in that list.
3) Once you’ve located the correct device, right click on it and select “properties”.
4) Within properties, click on the power management tab and ensure the check box for “allow the computer to turn off this device to save power ” is unchecked.
5) Click OK and close the device manager.
With those steps completed, Windows will no longer power off the USB port connected to your dongle, leaving your workflow uninterrupted.
When choosing to upgrade your current, or purchase new CADlink software, be sure to consider Product Activation Codes instead of a USB dongle. Your programs will function the same with the added benefit of no external hardware to manage. Check out a video on Product Activation Codes here