Please note: a USB Dongle is one method of registering Bytescribe software.  The other method uses a Product Serial Number.  For information on registering using Product Serial Numbers, or for answers to general registration questions, please see our Registration FAQ.

1. What is a Dongle and what does it do?
2. How is registering with a Dongle different than registering with a Product Serial Number?
3. How do I get a Dongle?
4. If I already have a license of Bytescribe software, can I purchase a Dongle separately?
5. Can I purchase more than one Dongle for the same license?
6. Can I put more than one license on the same Dongle?
7. If I have a Dongle, can I use a Product Serial Number to register?
8. How do I register my software using the Dongle?
9. I have the Dongle inserted, but my software is still asking me to register.  What do I do?
10. How do I use the software on more than one computer using the Dongle?
11. I don’t have any open USB slots on my computer.  Can I still use the Dongle?
12. I’ve lost my Dongle.  Can I get a replacement?

1. What is a Dongle and what does it do?

A USB Dongle (or just Dongle) is a small plastic piece that plugs into a USB slot on your computer. The Dongle contains registration information for your Bytescribe software.

As long as the Dongle stays plugged into your computer, the software is registered. If the Dongle is unplugged from a computer, the software becomes unregistered and cannot be used on that computer until the Dongle is re-inserted.

If you need to move the software to a new computer or re-register after reinstalling Windows, just make sure that the Dongle is inserted and that the drivers are loaded, and the software will be automatically registered.
 

2. How is registering with a Dongle different than registering with a Product Serial Number?

It’s different in several ways.

First, whenever you register with a Product Serial Number, the Bytescribe software on your computer contacts our registration server to complete the registration. If that contact cannot take place (because of firewall, etc.), then the software cannot register.  With the Dongle, the registration is contained on the Dongle itself. So you can register your software without making any changes to your security settings, or even without connecting to the Internet.

Second, a Product Serial Number is limited to 3 consecutive registrations. A Dongle does not have a limit for consecutive registrations. (Please note: all Bytescribe software is limited to one, single, concurrent registration.)
 

3. How do I get a Dongle?

You can purchase a Dongle whenever you purchase or renew a software license, either from our online store or by calling Bytescribe at 408-987-5628.  Some packages include a Dongle, for others there is an additional charge.

4. If I already have a license of Bytescribe software, can I purchase a Dongle separately?

Dongles can be purchased only with a new software license or with the purchase of a renewal license.  Dongles are not sold separately from software licenses.

5. Can I purchase more than one Dongle for the same license?

Because the Dongle is the license, only one Dongle can be received for each license purchased.

6. Can I put more than one license on the same Dongle?

Yes.  If you purchase different software that will always be installed on the same computer, then we can put those licenses on the same Dongle.  For example, if you purchase DocShuttle Client and WavPlayer, and if you will be installing them on the same computer, then we can put both the DocShuttle Client license and the WavPlayer license on the same Dongle.

7. If I have a Dongle, can I use a Product Serial Number to register?

The Product Serial Number that is issued with a Dongle purchase cannot be used to register your software.  It is for support purposes only, and has been disabled for registration.

8. How do I register my software using the Dongle?

To register using the Dongle, you need to install the drivers and the Dongle.

1. Make sure that the Dongle is not inserted into the computer.
2. Install the Dongle drivers from the CD or download.
3. Restart your computer.
4. Insert the Dongle into a USB slot on your computer.
5. The Found New Hardware Wizard should appear. Go through it, accepting all defaults.

The software should automatically recognize the license on the Dongle.
 

9. I have the Dongle inserted, but my software is still asking me to register.  What do I do?

First, make sure that the Dongle drivers have been installed properly:

1. Make sure that the Dongle is not inserted into the computer.
2. Install the Dongle drivers from the CD or download.
3. Restart your computer.
4. Insert the Dongle into a USB slot on your computer.
5. The Found New Hardware Wizard should appear. Go through it, accepting all defaults.

Second, there may be other USB devices either preventing the drivers from loading properly or preventing Windows from recognizing the Dongle.  Remove all other USB devices from your computer, restart it, and then follow the instructions above to reinstall the drivers.  Then insert the Dongle and start your software before re-inserting any other USB devices.

Finally, the Dongle you have may not be for the software you are trying to register.  For example, if you purchased a WavPlayer license with a Dongle, you cannot use that same Dongle to register DocShuttle Client software (unless you specifically requested that DocShuttle Client be added to the Dongle as well).

If you continue to have difficulty registering your software with your Dongle, please call Bytescribe Technical Support at 408-987-5628.

10. How do I use the software on more than one computer using the Dongle?

To use your software on more than one computer (for example, a desktop at the office and a laptop while traveling), just install the Dongle drivers and the software on both computers. Keep the Dongle itself plugged into the computer you need to use. When you need to switch computers, take the Dongle out of the first computer and insert it into the other computer.

Please note: you can only use the Dongle at one computer at a time. The Dongle must be inserted into a computer in order to use the software.

11. I don’t have any open USB slots on my computer.  Can I still use the Dongle?

The Dongle must remain inserted into a USB slot on your computer in order for the software to remain registered. If all of your USB slots are being used, there are two ways to add more USB slots.

The first is to use a USB hub. This is a cable or box with 2 or more additional USB slots that plugs into your computer, expanding the total number of USB connections.

The second is to add a USB card to your computer. If you are not comfortable installing internal hardware into your computer, you may want to ask a computer technician to do this for you.

Either of these items can be found at a computer store, or online at places like www.cdw.com or www.tigerdirect.com, usually starting at around $20.

12. I’ve lost my Dongle.  Can I get a replacement?

Because the Dongle is the license, the only way to receive a new Dongle is to purchase a new license and Dongle.

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