• How it works
• Installing
• Troubleshooting unit license
• Unit CDS.PWD license information

How it works

A Unit license is locked to a single computer or laptop. Once the license has been coded and sent, the license is bound to the computer for the term of the AMC contract. 

The license key (serial number) is generated from the Ethernet address (MAC) of the computer’s network card or disk volume serial number (DOS Prompt = c:\dir).

Option #1

If the license is to be locked to the computer's MAC address, the serial number will be a 12 digit alphanumeric hexadecimal number (ex. 00-60-08-1F-3D-CE). 

To gather the MAC address:

1. Open a DOS window
2. Type Ipconfig /all and <Enter>.
3. Under the Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection, The Physical Address line will display the MAC address serial number needed by CAD Design Software.
4. If the computer has multiple LANs, the one that is active will show the MAC address. 
5. Once the license is coded and sent, this submitted MAC address must be active and in use for the license to work.
6. If this will be a challenge, then use the computer's Hard drive serial (Option #2)

Option #2

If the license is to be locked to the computer's hard drive, the serial number will be a 8 digit alphanumeric number (ex. 2160-081F). 

To gather the Hard Drive serial:

1. Open a DOS window  
2. Type dir /p and <Enter>.
3. The Volume Serial Number is at the top of the screen is the number needed by CAD Design Software.

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Installing

Pick here to get the installation guide

 

	Check System Requirements
	If using the AutoCAD version, you must first have AutoCAD installed and licensed.
	If using the Windows version, proceed with the installation.
	When requesting a license, confirm that the submitting computer will be the host of the Unit license.

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Troubleshooting unit license

• VERIFY that there are no duplicate CDS.PWD files on the system.
  
  
• VERIFY that the CDS.PWD file is stored in the \software\ACAD\ sub-directory.
  
  
• VERIFY that the CDS.PWD file does not have a double file extension (i.e.  CDS.PWD.PWD)
  
  
• VERIFY you are using the correct CDS.PWD that relates to the serial number on the key (See Above)
  
  
• System clock has been set back -VERIFY that system clock is set to the proper date and time. A system file has been changed so it is 24 hours or more in advance. This will cause a security error with the license program. It assumes that the user has modified the system clock to avoid a "Time-Lock" license. This might be a system error or accidentally done by the user. First step is to check the BIOS clock settings. In most cases, this will resolve the problem. Refer to your motherboard user manual for information on BIOS settings. 
  
  
• If you get an error message that reads: The hostid of this system does not match the hostid specified in the license file. This error means that the computer cannot find the hardware (dongle key). The most common reason is the drivers were not installed correctly by the Windows Operating System. Possible reasons could be that there are securities preventing the installation of the hardware drivers, user does not have full rights or the key is not recognized because it is plugged into a USB port that does not properly respond.

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Unit CDS.PWD license information

• Your CDS.PWD license file can be found in the \EPD\ACAD sub-directory or use Windows>Search.
  
  
• You may view the CDS.PWD file with any ASCII text editor. Do not modify and re-save the file.  If any changes are made to the original file and the file is re-saved, it will not work properly.

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