Chapter Seven -- Frequently Asked Questions

 


This chapter will help you solve some of the common problems in using Rockey. Some questions that you or your customers may encounter have been listed below with proper answers.

General Trouble Shooting Methods

·  Use the RockTest program under directory UTILITY to test the Rockey, please read the Readme.txt file under the same directory on how to use the test program.

·  Use the latest version of software driver, Please check our website at http://www.ftsafe.com.cn, we will update this site frequently.

·  Test it with another computer, and see if the problem is still there.

·  If there is a printer connected and working, please disconnect it, and check if the Rockey is working without a printer.

·  If there is a secondary parallel port or USB port, try these ports.

·  Is there any virus in your PC (virus may stop the program from working normally)?

FAQ

1. What is an evaluation kit?
Evaluation kit is an evaluation Rockey provided to the developer for evaluation purpose. It includes product package, instruction book and CDs etc. The Rockey is exactly the same as the commercial Rockey, except the passwords are all the same and known to the public. When the user decides to buy it after evaluation, we will provide an Rockey with a unique password.

2. What is a purchase code of Rockey used for?
The purchase code is actually the management code we have defined. A purchase code is used for tracking and managing our products, and has no direct relationship with the Rockey.

3. Can I plug or unplug the Rockey with the power on?
You should try your best to avoid plugging and unplugging when the power is on, otherwise it may damage the Rockey. Since there may be a high voltage difference (from hundred V to thousands V) between the computer and your body, if you plug and unplug with the power on, the chip inside the Rockey may be damaged due to the over voltage. However, the Rockey on USB port does not have such a problem.

4. Can other people buy an Rockey same as mine?
You don't need to worry about this. Since each Rockey that the user bought has a unique password. We have setup a record for every customer. We will sign a security agreement with you if necessary, and deliver the Rockey to you in the way that you specified.

5. Is password of Rockey safe enough?
Yes, It is very safe. It has 4 passwords at 2 levels, and each password is 16-bit long. The first level is the basic password, and it is used for basic call of Rockey. The second password is specially designed for the developer. Its function is to control the write algorithm and define algorithm of the Rockey. The second level password neither should nor need to exist or appear in end user's software, there is no way to find it even you trace it. Also, if the second level passwords are wrong and have been written 4 times consecutively, the Rockey will be locked up for 2 seconds, and no operation can be accepted during this period in order to protect hackers from trying to crack the password with their programs.

6. What is same-number Rockey?
Same-number Rockeys are Rockeys with the same purchase code, and their passwords are the same as well. After the developer has finished encryption task, it will begin to produce the software on a batch basis, make CDs, make same-number Rockeys, and sell the encrypted software, where each set of such software will no longer need to be compiled again.

7. What if I forget my password?
One way is to get a new Rockey. The other way is to prove to us that the purchase code of Rockey is the one you ordered from us before.

8. Will Rockey's parallel port Rockey conflict with my printer?
The Rockey operates the parallel port through the device driver, and uses error correction technology at the communication protocol. Therefore, it is very well compatible with most types of printers available on the market. However, since a few types of printers receive large amount of current from parallel port when being powered off, the Rockey may not be found due to insufficient voltage. In this case, turning on the printer's power could solve this problem.

9. I was trying to print, why couldn't the Rockey be found before printing is actually started?
The new driver is no longer restricted by the parallel port mode, you should select the compatibility with the printing job when installing the driver. Re-install the driver and use a different option if you want to change the Rockey searching capability. In addition, you should use the USB port with the Rockey if you want the Rockey and printer to run simultaneously without any interference.

In order to enhance the compatibility of the Rockey, the user is recommended to set the port mode in CMOS Setup to EPP or ECP, instead of NORMAL mode. Setup method is detailed below (using the AWARD Software as an example):
Reboot the computer, press DEL key to enter CMOS Setup mode.
Select the menu option "INTEGRATED PERIPHERALS".
Then use either PAGEUP or PAGEDOWN key to change the "Parallel Port Mode" option.

10. There is a kind of device in the marketplace that emulates the Dongle. What is the principle of such device? Does Rockey have any countermeasures?
In brief, its principle is simply to run the Rockey once when it is plugged in, so as to record all port accesses. Then use the emulating device to simulate the Rockey's operation to the parallel ports when the Rockey is removed. Although programming the emulating device is a tough job to do, once it is done it can easily resolve most Rockeys without the need to read the assembly codes.

Our countermeasure: in order to overcome above mentioned attempts, we encrypt the communication between the low level driver and software Rockey, and by adding the random noise, the contents collected by the emulating device will be different one time from another. Moreover, the emulating device does not work with USB port Rockey

11. Can data sharing device really share the Rockey?
The sharing device can be prevented from working if you use our method provided here. It is actually very easy and simple. You need only to generate a random number during the booting of the program, write this number into a fixed address of the Rockey memory; the program will, during operation, try to verify whether the data of such address equals to the random number. If another computer runs the same program at the same time with this Rockey, then another random number will surely be written into the fixed address.

12. If I have written a complex algorithm into the Rockey, would the software performance be lowered?
No. According to our testing results, the speed difference between the simplest algorithm and the most complex algorithm was within a merely a dozen of milliseconds. You will never feel the difference if you do not call this algorithm frequently.

13. What is a USB port? What are its advantages?
USB port stands for Universal Serial Bus port, which is a new interface standard. Please visit www.usb.org for details. Its advantages include plug and play, hot swap support, and high transfer speed. It can connect up to 127 USB devices via extension. You do not need to worry about conflict between USB Rockey and other peripherals such as printers.

14. I used to use software protected by FeiTian parallel port Rockey, now I change to USB port Rockey, do I need to modify the program?
No, they are completely compatible, except that you must install the USB driver in order to use the USB Rockey. The USB device will also prompt you, automatically, to install the driver.

15. What operating systems does FeiTian USB Rockey support?
It can support Windows 95 OSR2.1, Windows 98, Win NT4.0 and Windows 2000.

16. Why does my screen display an unknown device after I plug in the USB Rockey?
It is a casual incident caused by interference or bad contact, etc. A re-plug will solve it.

17. My computer has a USB port and Windows 98, why is USB device not listed in the device manager?
It is possible that the USB support option inside BOIS has been disabled.


 

Copyright 1997-2006 FEITIAN Technology Co.,Ltd. All rights reserved.
Last Updated: Oct 9, 2006