ARCHIVED: At IU, for ArcGIS 9.3 and earlier, how do I correct error messages about the sentinel superpro hardware key?

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When you try to launch ArcGIS software, you may see this error message:

"The sentinel superpro hardware key has not been installed on this system, or has been removed."

You may also see this error message if you check the display hardware key status:

"The superpro driver appears to be installed and running. However, the hardware key does not appear to be plugged into a parallel port on this system."

Depending on how you access ArcGIS, follow the appropriate instructions below.

ArcGIS on a laptop using a sentinel key

At Indiana University, if you see the error message above, check to see if your sentinel key is parallel port (i.e., printer port hardware). If it is, email GIS Support to exchange your old hardware key for a new USB sentinel key.

If you have a USB sentinel key and still see the above error message:

  1. Make sure your sentinel key is plugged into the computer. Install the the latest Sentinel SuperPro driver for Windows.
  2. Unplug the sentinel key and plug it back in. This causes the computer to look for the updated driver for the hardware key.
  3. Restart your local license manager service: From the Start menu or the desktop, right-click My Computer (XP) or Computer (Vista), and then select Manage.
  4. Double-click Services and Applications, and then double-click Services.
  5. From the list of services, right-click ArcGIS License Manager, and then select Restart.
  6. Close the Computer Management window. Try opening ArcGIS to see if the problem has been fixed. If not, email GIS Support.

Remote Desktop access or virtual machine access to ArcGIS

If you attempt to access ArcGIS (licensed by a sentinel key) using Remote Desktop Connection or a virtual machine, you may see the above error message. ESRI reports this to be a known issue with ArcGIS 9.2 License Manager running on Windows XP.

The simplest solution is to upgrade to ArcGIS 9.3 with 9.3 License Manager; see ARCHIVED: At IU, how do I install ArcGIS Desktop 9.3 for use with a local license? If that is not possible, you can revert to ArcGIS 9.1 License Manager. Your 9.x license file will work with all 9.x version License Managers (9.0 through 9.3). Note that 9.1 License Manager will not work on Windows Vista.

To revert to 9.1 License Manager:

  1. Unplug the USB hardware key.
  2. From the Start menu, click either Control Panel, or Settings and then Control Panel.
  3. From the Control Panel, go to Add/Remove Programs, and remove ArcGIS License Manager. If it is listed, remove Sentinel SuperPro Driver as well.
  4. Reboot your computer.
  5. Install ArcGIS 9.1 License Manger and browse to your .efl9 file when prompted.
  6. Turn off your computer, and then plug in the hardware key while the machine is off. Then, turn your computer back on.
  7. From the Start menu, select Programs, then ArcGIS, then License Manager (9.x), and then Display Hardware Key Status. You will then see a driver version and the hardware key number in the resulting window; this should be 5.x.
  8. Try opening ArcGIS to see if the problem has been fixed. If not, email GIS Support.

This is document axni in the Knowledge Base.
Last modified on 2023-05-09 14:37:04.