What is a Windows 10 “big update”?
The key driver cannot be installed by users without administrator permission. Insert the the key driver diskette into the disk drive. From CD go to the directory called sentinel. Click on Start Run and Browse the diskette or CD. Select setup.exe and click OK in the Run dialog box to run setup.exe. This will launch the Sentinel Driver Setup Program. A final test of the key would be to install the key and the License Manager on another Windows system. Once the License Manager has been installed, run Display Hardware Key Status. If the Sentinel Key number is not displayed, the Sentinel key may be defective. Contact Customer Service to exchange your key for a new one.
Starting with Windows 10, Microsoft has changed the manner in which they manage the release of the Windows OS.
Once Windows OS was a software product. Microsoft delivered various versions (Windows 98, NT, XP, and so on) and provided service packs or small patches for each of them.
Windows 10 is different. Windows 10 is not a software product but a service. Instead of releasing a new OS, Microsoft has been releasing new features to Windows 10 as a “big update” (or “big patch”).
[Windows 10 major big update]
Build 1607 | 2016 September | Anniversary Update
Build 1703 | 2017 April | Creators Update
Build 1709 | 2017 October | Creators Update Fall
How is a Windows 10 big update distributed online?
Big updates are distributed in three ways:
Autodata Sentinel Key Not Found
- Microsoft Site. After the official release date, you can find a link to get the big patch on the Microsoft Windows 10 official product site.
- Microsoft Distribution Plan. Windows Update users cannot obtain a big patch by request – they are dependent on Microsoft’s distribution plan. Microsoft distributes the big patch as a Windows Update, but it is usually delivered 2-3 months after the official big patch release date. This is because Microsoft needs time to fix issues that are typically discovered by early installation from the Microsoft site.
- Insider Preview Program. Windows 10 users can get the latest big update before the official release via the Insider Preview Program, but these releases are categorized as “Preview Builds” and are not stable. Sentinel LDK does not support preview builds.
To prevent corruption of the secure storage (where SL AdminMode keys are stored), Gemalto highly recommends that users install or upgrade to the latest version (7.63 or later) of Sentinel LDK Run-time Environment before upgrading to the latest Win10 major upgrade. You can download latest Runtime package from here
Possible issues faced after Windows upgrade:
1. Sentinel LDK License Manager service no longer available
After the installation of a big update, you might see “Sentinel LDK License Manager” service installed but stopped.
Resolution: Manually start the service from the Computer Management – “Services and Applications” panel
OR
set the “Sentinel LDK License Manager” service in “Startup type”= Automatic Delayed Start – this will cause the service to start a bit later after the system reboot, for this reason, the protected application searching for the HASP/LDK license should also start with a delay.
Note: make sure you are using the latest Sentinel LDK License manager, please check here
2. SL-AdminMode license disappeared
If you have upgraded your system to the latest build right after the release date, you might note that your existing SL-AdminMode license has been removed and is no longer visible in the Admin Control Center on the page at http://localhost:1947/_int_/devices.html.
Resolution: Make sure License Manager is active (as described in issue 1). If the Sentinel LDK License Manager service is not present, re-install the latest RunTime package from here
Note: make sure you are using the latest Sentinel LDK License manager, please check here
Your SL-AdminMode license will then be active again.
In case your Windows 10 OS was updated through an automatic Windows Update, your existing SL-AdminMode license should not be affected.
The issue does not affect SL-UserMode licenses or Sentinel HL USB dongles.
For any additional issues, please contact your Software Vendor or reach our Technical Support service if you are the Software Vendor.
Gemalto Technical Support SM
This page is related to key-based licenses — a regular license type used in TestComplete 14.93. For information on the new ID-based license type, see SmartBear ID-based Licenses.
TestComplete uses the Sentinel LDK License Manager service to activate licenses and to manage and verify license information. If the service is not running, TestComplete cannot check it and therefore cannot start, or, if the license has not been activated yet, it cannot complete the activation. The service is started automatically after TestComplete is installed and automatically starts every time the operating system loads. You receive this error message because the service is stopped or is not running properly.
To ensure that the Sentinel LDK License Manager service is running:
Open the Windows Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services applet.
Select the Sentinel LDK License Manager service in the list.
Right-click the service and select Start or Restart from the context menu.
Once the service is running, click Try Again to close the message box.
If the service does not start or if it is not in the list, do one of the following:
Reinstall the HASP drivers that are used to manage and verify license information.
See instructionsSee instructionsGo to the link:
Download the provided file.
Extract all files from the downloaded archive.
Launch the Windows command prompt with administrator permissions and type the path to the haspdinst.exe (or hasplms.exe) file that is located in the previously unpacked folder.
Specify
-r -kpas parameters and execute the command to remove the HASP drivers.To install the HASP drivers, rerun the previous command with the -i argument instead of -r-kp.
Reinstall TestComplete.
Resolve the problem by using the Licensing Troubleshooter on our website.