This is related to a hardware configuration for using some old software so I am putting it in software rather than hardware.


My wife has an old version of Trados (version 5.5). This uses a software key in the form of a dongle that plugs into a parallel port.


We would now like to install this on my computer if possible but this does not have a parallel port. The only way I could add such a facility is with a PCI card. StarTech, one of the manufacturers of such a card, advise that it is unlikely that such a dongle would work with a PCI card.


Trados (SDL now) no longer support version 5.5. However, I telephoned them and they stated that this dongle will NOT work with a PCI card (because it would need IRQ7 and a certain memory address), and that they cannot either update it or replace it with an USB dongle.

I found a thread about this on a forum on the ProZ.com website and posted a query to see if the person who wanted to do the same (and was advised to use a PCI parallel card) actually got it to work. After some time, the answer came that they were successful. However, the card was fitted by the computer supplier and not subsequently by the user.


So I ask please, has anyone successfully made use of Trados 5.5 using a PCI parallel card added by the user after the computer had been in use?



Derek Shaw

PC with Windows XP Professional

I'm not too sure about this, I've never used a parallel PCI card or Trados. I would like to point out however that you can get USB-Parallel adapters
Newegg.com - Link Depot 6 ft. USB To DB 25 Convertor Cable Model USB-DB25 - Cables
There are even cheaper ones on ebay, just search for USB to DB25

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Thank you for your suggestion. This was in fact my first line of approach and I tried an internet search on this topic. I found a query in a forum where someone wanted to use a printer with a parallel connection on a laptop. The general opinion seemed to be that a USB-Parallel adaptor was more likely NOT to work than to work. Comments were that for a desktop computer it would be much better and more likely to be successful to fit a PCI card. An answer which did not of course help the owner of the laptop very much!

However in my case there is a strong indication that the Trados dongle would not even work with a PCI parallel card. So I am really looking for someone who has tried this specific combination (and who fitted the card to a computer that had already been set up and use as opposed to one supplied fitted with a PCI card by a computer manufacturer).

Derek Shaw

If I may pose a question DerekShaw. Have you checked the manual for your PC motherboard to see if there is a parallel header on the motherboard? Support is correct about the PCI card and the USB adapter will be unfit for the same reason. There was said to be a USB dongle for Tardos 6.5 but this would not help you either. Should I happen on a workaround, I will post it here.

LC

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Oh well I'm afraid I'm no help there, I've always made sure my motherboards have a parallel port on them, but I'm fairly sure it makes no difference who puts in the PCI card, it's the same whether the manufacturer or end user does it, there may be some warranty issues but that's about it.
You might also have to download the drivers for your card, depending on where you get it

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As far as hardware is concerned, I would not want to take on anything more involved than just installing a PCI card.

What is puzzling is that, despite the categorical advice from SDL/Trados that the dongle will NOT work with a PCI card, I followed up a thread on the ProZ.com forum (in the Trados section) and have had a reply that someone in Spain is successfully using Trados 5.5 with a parallel port dongle and a PCI parallel port card.

I am wondering whether I should just go head and try. The cost of a PCI card is not that high and it should be relatively straightforward to to fit - just a bit awkward as I would probably need to disconnect most of the leads to be able to move the computer to get space to open it for access since I have a somewhat limited amount of space.

Derek Shaw

Can you wait until you hear back from the poster on that other site before pushing ahead with a "try" derek? How old is the post? Did you attempt to pm or email him thru his profile...it may get a better/faster response

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