Dongle for Designer 1 not recognized in XP or Vista

I tried the Husqvarna Viking dongle drivers for 4D VIP Customizing software on a new Windows 8.1 system, but nothing worked. (It worked fine on my old Vista system). After a few weeks of frustration, I found this site : http://www.safenet-inc.com/support_and_downloads/Download_Drivers/Sentinel_Drivers/.
I downloaded the Sentinel Driver v7.5.8 (they work for Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/2008/2012/Vista & Windows 7&8 (32 bit and 64 bit)), installed it, restarted my computer, and everything worked like a charm.
Somebody should tell Husqvarna about those drivers...

If you have the disc to install the program if should also install the dongle automatically. I just loaded my old copy 2 weeks ago and it was all done with that one disc. You have to install the software BEFORE plugging the dongle...
feel free to e-mail me [email protected]

I'm looking how to put the sample fonts from the free floppies into the program to use on my designs. Disk Manager only does designs and customizer won't recognize the fonts directly off the disc.
Any suggestions??? lew

I admit I did not think that VIP Customizing worked on Vista at all, but I now know that some people have got it going. Have you searched the www.sewmuch4retirement.com website (the late Jan Henning's website, which is an absolute gold mine of information for Husqvarna and Pfaff machines)? The other solution might be to partitition your hard drive and run Win XP on one partitition, and use that to install and run VIP Customizing. There are also Yahoo Groups specializing in Husqvarna machines and products. These groups have a lot of members with a wide range of machines, software and experience. I'm sure there is someone out there with a similar problem and someone else with the answer.

Contact the manufacturer of the software. If it is an illegal copy of course you are out of luck. If you have lost your dongle, they would LIKELY jhave you ship your original disk back for a replacement with a matching dongle. I would expect to pay a fee for the lost part.

When you purchase the Husqvarna Viking software it comes with a code key called a "Dongle". It plugs into a usb port and "unlocks" the software. You can't just load the software and have it work without the dongle and you cannot just purchase a dongle. That software is about 3 versions old and is not being supported anymore by Viking. Their new software starts at $400 and is called 4D embroidery. Their web site shows what it can do.

You probably need to install the XP drivers for the dongle. I don't have the exact website at my fingertips (brain tips?) right now, but if you visit Jan Henning's Sew Much 4 Retirement website I think she has it amongst her Tips section. I had a similar problem years ago, but solved it by putting the installation CD into the computer, not running the automatic Install, then opening the program. It then goes looking for the dongle driver on the CD. This solution does not work for everyone, some need to download the drivers off the internet.

I believe that the information that you have been given is correct. The VIP dongle is no longer available.
As for the second part of the question, do you have a damaged dongle or has it been lost completely? If it has been lost, there is no way to replace it without buying a new software package.

You might want to take it to an authorized husqvarna viking dealer for service. You can locate a dealer near you by visiting the husqvarna viking website and clicking on the Dealer link on the left-hand side of the page - http://www.husqvarnaviking.com
Good luck.

Dump Vista, and go back to XP

I know nothing about tablet PCs, but if they run regular PC software I cannot see that it would not run VIP Pro. The only proviso might be the dongle - do tablet PCs have USB ports? Why not take your software with you when you go tablet shopping and ask to try it out before you buy. I think that the computer shop would let you if they know that they will lose a sure sale if they don't.
Pamsquilt