Alternative methods to install OrCAD/Allegro?

[Demon Xanth]

I have an OrCAD/Allegro dongle license for 17.4 that I purchased in 2020, and am looking to upgrade my computer. However I cannot download the install files unless I get on a maintenance plan, which I was quoted at 3x the price that I originally paid and is far above what I would gain as a benefit (KiCAD has come a long way since then!). Are there any methods for being able to obtain the installation and licensing files aside from this? Or is it a case of "Too bad, so sad."?

[amiq]

There are cracked versions all over the internet.  Just download and use the dongle instead of applying the crack.

Have you contacted whoever sold you the dongle for support?  Anytime I've contacted Cadence either direct or through the likes of EMA they've always been most helpfull.

[asmi]

Just before my update sub was to lapse, my sales rep told me to download the latest installation package for that exact reason. I also recorded my NIC MAC address so that whenever I upgrade my PC, I can still use my old license tied to that MAC by force-assigning a MAC to a new network card. If you hadn't done this, I guess you're out of luck.

[Demon Xanth]

The vendor was the one who quoted me the price.

[Demon Xanth]

Day late and a dollar short on the grabbing the install files. But thankfully dongle means I don't need to know the MAC or manually set it. I might check my other PC to see if they're still cached though!

[amiq]

The base install is 4GB, associated libraries 4GB, and hotfix 33 (latest I have) is 7GB.  If nobody closer to you can help I suppose I could burn dvd's for you.

[Demon Xanth]

That checks out with the files I found, base install of 2 4GB files and a 7.6GB hotfix to 39. Thank you!

[tszaboo]

The license is tied to the dongle. You should be able to download the old installer, without paying anything.
Also from what I remember you need to call support anyway, as there is some license file that identifies your computer and the dongle, and they need to set it up. At least the last time I had the misfortune to use Orcad it was that way.

[Demon Xanth]

I have the required license files. That was never an issue, but without a maintenance contract their download section is out of reach. Luckily I was able to scrounge around and dig them up. I'm going to be burning a BD-R with all of these this evening.

[Uky]

...For those that preferrs a network card (MAC) based license:

My strategy when responsible for CAD-software at my work
was to purchase an extra professional PCI-E network card and order the license
tied to the MAC-address of that card. Thus, when upgrading the server/workstation or if the MoBo goes bad,
all that has to be done is to move the card and reinstall the software.

And: Also to put a label on the network CARD:  Used for for software licensing - Do NOT DIscard!...

 

[asmi]

...For those that preferrs a network card (MAC) based license:

My strategy when responsible for CAD-software at my work
was to purchase an extra professional PCI-E network card and order the license
tied to the MAC-address of that card. Thus, when upgrading the server/workstation or if the MoBo goes bad,
all that has to be done is to move the card and reinstall the software.

And: Also to put a label on the network CARD:  Used for for software licensing - Do NOT DIscard!...

 

It doesn't have to be the same card, as you can override MAC address on any network card nowadays. So just record MAC address of your existing card, and reassign that address to a new network card once you replace it. I've already done this twice with my Orcad license, so I know it works 100%.

[Demon Xanth]

I'll admit, just grabbing a USB-Ethernet adapter would have been cheaper then and easier now than trying to get a HASP driver for windows 11...

[Uky]

The license manager files/installer is included in the OrCAD/Allegro software distribution.
Look in the \LM-folder in the file set.

I have been using W10 from 17,2 all the way up to 24.1 and performed an "In-Situ" upgrade
to W11 a few weeks ago. The license manager for W10 did not change and I can check
out all versions back to 17.4 which I used for a client last week without a glitch.

I have a memory of once the dongle was inserted into a USB-port, its support drivers were automatically
downloaded by W10.