Hi,
I was wondering if anyone here might be able to help me. I had to upgrade a laptop that was using a parallel hardlock key. The new laptop has no parallel port but I managed to find a parallel female to usb connector that I can connect to the computer with. Does anyone here know how to get the hardlock to authenticate with the software via this method? I dont' know how to point it to the usb port and it keeps saying "PIK not found or license exceeded" Any help would be greatly appreciated. thank you

If you own the software and the dongle, the best option is the legit one:

Call the company customer service and explain the situation. If they appreciate your business, should be willing to provide you with a USB dongle.

If they do not cooperate, weeeeell ;0

You will have to make do.
Trying to modify the hardlock services to read a parallel to USB connector sounds very tricky. What I would do in that case is try to make the app run, without any dongle at all.

Look into CrackZ site for guidance. Be aware that Dongle Cracking some times entail a steep learning curve in reverse engineering. If you are willing to attack the problem, people here can give you some pointers.

For instance: When the program complains: "PIK not found or license exceeded": It obviously failed to see the Dongle. Disassemble the program and try to find that complain message. Find the code that displays it. Somewhere before that code executes, the program tested for the presence of a dongle and failed. learn how it detects the dongle. Modify the code so it "thinks" the dongle is there.

Trace the program in the old laptop, with the dongle, and in the new laptop without the dongle: compare where the code flow diverges. That way you can locate and neutralize dongle checks.

or you can dump your key, make emul (by your own), and continue using your program while your original key you can put on safe place.

thank you guys for your help and support. i really appreciate it. i think i will try the dump / emul technique. i guess that woodmann's is a good place to start? thanks again

and if you stuck somewhere post it here someone will help.