Dongles
 

I was wondering if someone could explain in easy layman's terms what exactly a dongle is and how it is used. I understand only that it is an connector and has something to do with software and computer and sewing machine. What does it connect from and to what? I don't have one, nor do I need one:confused:,(I think?) just curious.

A dongle is a special USB stick. I have a dongle that enables me to use my Pfaff 5D software on my computer. If I don't have it 'plugged into' my computer, the software won't work. I suspect Pfaff developed it to prevent the software from being copied and used by more than one consumer. I can install the software on more than 1 computer, but I can only use it on one at a time, because I have only 1 dongle.

Excellent answer, exactly what I would say. The dongel is a way of telling the computer you have a matching sewing machine.

First time I heard of this animal. I don't have a clue! My educated guess would be a dangle whose angle is done gone.

As Joanne said, it's a way of preventing software piracy. Bernina's embroidery module (for the 440) used to require a dongle, but the updated version no longer requires it.

JoanneS, Thank you. That is a very clear and concise answer. And I was tickled to see you have the Pfaff 5D software. I have the 4D, that I don't know at all, my machine is the Creative 2134, 5 years old/new; and I just never got around to learning the embroidery... I have just used my machine for sewing and quilting..but now I want to give it a go, and have been dinking around it. I am going into the dealer next week to get reacquainted with it, and I know they will want to talk me into upgrading.Probably both machine and software. Any information I should know as to "need"??
Thanks again

LOL!!! Oh my! Tickled me till the tears flowed!.....LOL...

I have to admit that the first time I heard the word "dongle", a machine-computer connection was the totally LAST thing I came up with.....evil laugh, snicker, snicker!

"They" certainly keep us stimulating the economy with having to make updated purchases of devices we have come to depend on. :D:D:D

That is toooo funny!!

This is the first time I have heard of a dongle having a shelf life. My frend has been using hers for a lot longer the 4 years. It also does not care about the sewing machine only the software on the computer.

Agreed a dongle itself is a usb stick with no "shelf life" at all. Now a programmer can put an expiration date on the software that is installed on the stick.

Non technically - it is like an "on" switch for certain software. As the programs "boots" (or starts up), the program looks to see if the dongle is plugged in. Some programs require it to be in the exact same USB place others are more forgiving. The program will not completely start with out it being in place. This eliminates the possibility for one person to purchase a piece of software and share it with friends.

One big causation, if you actually loose that dongle (such as in 5D), you may end up re-purchasing the complete program. Many developers will repair or replace a broken or non operating dongle but none that I know of will replace a lost dongle.

I have a digitizing program for my Janome 10000 I believe the dongal prevents you from sharing this program it will not work without it. And don't ask any of the computer experts, like at Best Buy, they have never heard of this( at least the best buy I went to. And I not exacting sure if I'm right but mine is working now.

Joanne is correct, I have them for my viking software. Guard them with your life, no dongle, can not work with your software!!!!! Lost one a couple of years ago and had to purchase a whole new software package!!!!!

Ok, I have the Viking Ruby, and I installed the 5D Pro onto my laptop but to be able to use the software to create, etc I have to have the dongle plugged into my USB port. This tells the computer what version of software I have and what additional modules I have bought to go with it. It doesn't connect to my machine only the USB port on my pc. Without this dongle I can do nothing with my software. I can install my software onto another pc but if I don't have the dongle plugged in I can' use it. I hope this helps you understand what mine is.

I've not heard of this. I know that my instructor (I have 5D pro) says alot of people out there still use 3D and that's been out for a while now. Maybe it's only with certain companies that they put a time line on it.

I have the 5D pro but unless you really want to upgrade I'd tell them that you want to see how into embroidery you'll get before you look at spending any more money. A lot of people still use 4D and some use 3D. I'm not sure what version you have since there are 3 but since you've had your machine for this many years without using it I wouldn't worry about upgrading unless you find yourself getting into it. I bought my machine last Sept and just now when Viking had a great sale of the software I bought it. I started off thinking that I would get the middle version and that would be enough until the Viking educator started showing us all of the things Pro could do extra and with the price I went with the pro. Good luck and I hope you enjoy it. I really like embroidery.

THanks for the reply. I'm looking forward to this new adveture.
Susan

The other option is to use software that doesn't require a dongle at all ... there are several out there - I use Embird.

An extra on this is that it has a built-in shelf life, as the software versions do. This almost forces you to continue to pay for updates and you can't use it even at the level that you bought it at for very long.

Mine wouldn't work and I was told they don't support 3D any more and needed to update to 4D which would cost me another $1500.00 on top of the $2800.00 I originally paid for the software.I also had extras which came to another $1000.00. Now that there is 5D out, I am not interested in constantly paying that sort of money every few years just to keep the embroidery going, especially when they also have all the copyright nonsense on selling anything you make with it. I traded it in on an ordinary sewing machine which I can afford to replace every now and again.

Joannes, I have 4D software, I have a couple of questions about it, would it be possible for me to pm you?

I don't know where you got your information but it is wrong. I have had my Viking Designer 1 since 1995 and my dongle is still working fine.

I just love your educated guess! LOL!

Thanks for the explanation, I have a Viking Designer SE w/Dongle, didn't really understand the whole concept - now I know!

Now this confuses me, just when I thought I understood. I have 4D, but do not have or need a dongle.(at least I haven't yet) How can they "unsupport" a version?Are you saying that you are not able to access what you already have on your computer or smartcard? or that you aren't able to utilize the new designs that are coming out?

I have Bernina 1081 and have been using the dongle for 12 years. Half afraid to say it out loud...

Do you have the 4D that came with your machine or did you purchase it separtely. The one that comes with the machine doesnt require a dongle; it's only when you purchase the software editing software that you need a dongle to access it. There is a difference in supporting a software package and not allowing you to use it. Microsoft only supports it's operating systems for a certain amount of yrs but you can still use them. They no longer support XP but I still have a laptop with it on it and it works great. I think this is where the confusion might be. Supporting verses not being allowed to use it any longer. I don't know but I'll ask my dealer this week when I see her.

What software package do you have? Is it the 3D or the 4D? Either one will require the dongle to be in the USB port before you can use the embroidery software. You can access the organizer without the dongle; this is what is included with the machine when you orginally buy it so that you can store/see your designs. Then for those who use the USB to transfer designs we also have a USB device that goes into the side of our machine. The dongle never goes into our machine; just the pc.

My dealer/instructor recently told us that she talked to her insurance agent and was told to include the software and machine on her house hold policy because it isn't automatically included due to the type of machine it is. So this week that is what I'm going to do is add it to my policy; it can be expensive for the machine and the software to be replaced.

I thought a dongle was just a pfaff ( or Viking) term till I saw the recent commercial ( I forget what it was for ) where there's a meeting and everyone forgot to bring a dongle. Guess its a software term!

Judy, thanks for this information. I was pretty sure I purchased it separately, but it may just be the Assistant, because I can access what I have put on my laptop (also an XP system), but when I attempted to move the designs from the laptop files to the Smartcard, I got a message that I didn't understand, and when I put the SmartCard into the machine, it says there are no files on the card. So I got frustrated, and just made an appt with the dealer for this Thursday, which I am looking forward to....I think...unless it's going to cost me...then I'll be very disappointed. I guess I better go up and check out what I think I have and what I actually have, and what I thought I had.
But the thread has been very helpful in understanding what is what, and what to expect at my dealer.Thanks for explaining. If I could, I'll PM you after I search my paperwork/computer and go to the dealer.

I have a Husqvarna Viking Designer I, and have been told I should have a "dongle" for it. I have looked high and low and cannot find it--especially since I am not real sure I know what I should try to lay my hands on. This to Toni C....any other suggestions?

You can PM me any time. It sounds like you need a card reader. The pc isn't made to read the cards only USB's. I know that around here the card readers are around a couple of hundred. I had orginally bought one to use on my Viking #1 and then found out it wouldn't work with it. So I bought the Amazing black box for 150 that reads different cards, then found out the software for it didn't like anything past XP. Lucky for me that my son still had my old laptop with XP on it and he wasn't using it anymore. I bought a new power cord and battery and was good to go. Then found out I couldn't get my Viking #1 to sew right and sent it back to the seller to get if fixed (I got a 2yr warranty on it). In the mean time I bought a Ruby, 2nd hand from my dealer. Only 7 hours on it but a great price w/warranty and classes. So now I'm selling my #1 and black box. So as you can see I got my education the hard way, thru alot of trials and tribulations. There is a website sewmuch4retirement.com that offers alot of help for Vikings; especially the older ones. I bought the CD for my #1 and it was really easy to follow. It might help to check out some of the tips, etc on it. Good luck with your dealer. I hope you can get it all going because I've only been embroiderying since Sept and I'm loving it. I'm going this week for a special 1 on 1 with my teacher to learn to do some digitizing with my 5D Pro. I love doing the cutwork needles which is something all of the machines will do. I look forward to hearing from you.

Long story short I bought a Brother embroidery machine in 2001 and Palette software (Babylock). My dongle is a parallel port connector. Newer computers do not have a parallel port! I am going to add a parallel port to my Vista machine and plan to downgrade to xp so I can use my software. It is an extra machine my son rebuilt. These programs are to expensive to become out of date right after you buy them.

Mine works fine as long as I keep my computer with XP up and running...

Amen to that...