I seem to have a licensing problem with the Quartus Web edition. I receive the error message: Warning: FLEXlm software error: System clock has been set back Feature: quartus_lite License path: <filename> FLEXlm error: -88,309 For further information, refer to the FLEXlm End User Manual, available at "www.macrovision.com". I checked the manual, which lists this error message in the appendix E, but does not explain how to fix it. I requested a new license file from Altera, but no success. I also uninstalled Quartus II and re-installed it again - no success. I'm out of ideas. Any suggestions??? Thank you, Michael
Quartus II 6.0: System clock has been set back
Started by ●October 9, 2006
Reply by ●October 9, 20062006-10-09
Welcome to the club... I had the same problem some months ago, I googled around and found a solution somewhere. When I remember right, the problem was that some files in a system directory were newer than the current data. -> Use the Windows search function and search for files newer than today (do not forget the check the "look for hidden files" or something like this). Once you have identfied the files that are too new, bring them back to the current date. If this doesn't help, google yourself... (sorry, can't really remember more precise.) Thomas "Michael Kraemer" <mike102de@yahoo.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:1160386020.976528.161930@m7g2000cwm.googlegroups.com...>I seem to have a licensing problem with the Quartus Web edition. I > receive the error message: > > Warning: FLEXlm software error: System clock has been set back Feature: > quartus_lite License path: <filename> FLEXlm error: -88,309 For > further information, refer to the FLEXlm End User Manual, available at > "www.macrovision.com". > > I checked the manual, which lists this error message in the appendix E, > but does not explain how to fix it. > > I requested a new license file from Altera, but no success. I also > uninstalled Quartus II and re-installed it again - no success. I'm out > of ideas. Any suggestions??? > > Thank you, > > Michael >
Reply by ●October 9, 20062006-10-09
> When I remember right, the problem was that some files in a system directory > were newer than the current data. -> Use the Windows search function and > search for files newer than today (do not forget the check the "look for > hidden files" or something like this). Once you have identfied the files > that are too new, bring them back to the current date. If this doesn't help, > google yourself... (sorry, can't really remember more precise.) > > ThomasGreat, I found a directory in my temp folder, which I created this morning, but its date was four days later than today. I don't know why. Perhaps the date on our company network was wrong and the PCs retrieve the date from there. After I changed the date back to today, Quartus works again. Thank you for your support. Actually I cannot understand why Altera is so generous to give away this software for free, which I appreciate a lot, and then attach such restrictions. Anyway, this is perhaps the wrong question if one gets something for free. Thanks again, Michael
Reply by ●October 9, 20062006-10-09
Same here, I used an old version of the Time Stamp Modifier from Jonesoft, you might still find it on the web although www.jonesoft.com seems dead. Hans www.ht-lab.com "Thomas Entner" <aon.912710880@aon.at> wrote in message news:452a2a8c$0$26605$91cee783@newsreader01.highway.telekom.at...> Welcome to the club... > > I had the same problem some months ago, I googled around and found a > solution somewhere. > > When I remember right, the problem was that some files in a system > directory were newer than the current data. -> Use the Windows search > function and search for files newer than today (do not forget the check > the "look for hidden files" or something like this). Once you have > identfied the files that are too new, bring them back to the current date. > If this doesn't help, google yourself... (sorry, can't really remember > more precise.) > > Thomas > > "Michael Kraemer" <mike102de@yahoo.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag > news:1160386020.976528.161930@m7g2000cwm.googlegroups.com... >>I seem to have a licensing problem with the Quartus Web edition. I >> receive the error message: >> >> Warning: FLEXlm software error: System clock has been set back Feature: >> quartus_lite License path: <filename> FLEXlm error: -88,309 For >> further information, refer to the FLEXlm End User Manual, available at >> "www.macrovision.com". >> >> I checked the manual, which lists this error message in the appendix E, >> but does not explain how to fix it. >> >> I requested a new license file from Altera, but no success. I also >> uninstalled Quartus II and re-installed it again - no success. I'm out >> of ideas. Any suggestions??? >> >> Thank you, >> >> Michael >> > >
Reply by ●October 9, 20062006-10-09
Michael Kraemer wrote:> Actually I cannot understand why Altera is so generous to give away > this software for free, which I appreciate a lot, and then attach such > restrictions. Anyway, this is perhaps the wrong question if one gets > something for free. >Well, it's not entirely Altera's fault. The FlexLM license software they _link_ (i.e. they don't have the source code) in has a function that queries the validity of a certain feature name based on the feature name, the current date, software version etc. The linked-in FlexLM bit then refuses to validate _ANY_ feature if the system clock has been set back, and there you go. On the other hand, many customer calling me with this problem tend to find some bug in their overall system (network, application, whatever), so from a sysadmin standpoint it could actually be positive that this check is there (ducks and runs). In the past I have questioned Altera Tools Marketing's decision to have a license check in the Free Edition at all, but I do understand their reasons for it - they want to know which sites are active and which ones are not. Best regards, Ben
Reply by ●October 9, 20062006-10-09
Ben Twijnstra wrote:> Michael Kraemer wrote: > > > Actually I cannot understand why Altera is so generous to give away > > this software for free, which I appreciate a lot, and then attach such > > restrictions. Anyway, this is perhaps the wrong question if one gets > > something for free. > > > > Well, it's not entirely Altera's fault. The FlexLM license software they > _link_ (i.e. they don't have the source code) in has a function that > queries the validity of a certain feature name based on the feature name, > the current date, software version etc. The linked-in FlexLM bit then > refuses to validate _ANY_ feature if the system clock has been set back, > and there you go. > > On the other hand, many customer calling me with this problem tend to find > some bug in their overall system (network, application, whatever), so from > a sysadmin standpoint it could actually be positive that this check is > there (ducks and runs). > > In the past I have questioned Altera Tools Marketing's decision to have a > license check in the Free Edition at all, but I do understand their reasons > for it - they want to know which sites are active and which ones are not. > > Best regards, > > > > BenI believe the reason is that you can convert the "free" edition into the "full" edition by buying a license with no need to do a full reinstall. However, I understand there are some problems with that approach.
Reply by ●October 9, 20062006-10-09
radarman wrote:> I believe the reason is that you can convert the "free" edition into > the "full" edition by buying a license with no need to do a full > reinstall. However, I understand there are some problems with that > approach.Yep - for one thing, the device map files for all but the smalles Stratix I and II will be missing, as well as the netlist viewers, floorplanner and other stuff. A full Quartus install now runs around 1GB, while the Web Edition is around 250MB. Something has to go then ;-) Best regards, Ben
Reply by ●October 11, 20062006-10-11
radarman wrote:> Ben Twijnstra wrote: >> Michael Kraemer wrote: >> >>> Actually I cannot understand why Altera is so generous to give away >>> this software for free, which I appreciate a lot, and then attach such >>> restrictions. Anyway, this is perhaps the wrong question if one gets >>> something for free. >>> >> Well, it's not entirely Altera's fault. The FlexLM license software they >> _link_ (i.e. they don't have the source code) in has a function that >> queries the validity of a certain feature name based on the feature name, >> the current date, software version etc. The linked-in FlexLM bit then >> refuses to validate _ANY_ feature if the system clock has been set back, >> and there you go. >> >> On the other hand, many customer calling me with this problem tend to find >> some bug in their overall system (network, application, whatever), so from >> a sysadmin standpoint it could actually be positive that this check is >> there (ducks and runs). >> >> In the past I have questioned Altera Tools Marketing's decision to have a >> license check in the Free Edition at all, but I do understand their reasons >> for it - they want to know which sites are active and which ones are not. >> >> Best regards, >> >> >> >> Ben > > I believe the reason is that you can convert the "free" edition into > the "full" edition by buying a license with no need to do a full > reinstall. However, I understand there are some problems with that > approach. >Personally, I don't see why they have a licensing system at all, even on the full package, or why they charge for the full package. It would be much easier for users if the FPGAs cost very slightly more (to be fair, the increase should be on larger FPGAs, and only when bought in small quantities), and the software should be free. I fully understand why Altera would like it to be registered in some way, and to track who is using it, but letting users use it freely would remove all the hassles associated with licensing, node locks, battles with "FlexLM", moving computers, and so on. In recent times I've had a couple of customers battle with licensing issues (not with any FPGA-related software) - the wasted time and effort has cost far more than the software licenses in the first place.
Reply by ●October 11, 20062006-10-11
"David Brown" <david@westcontrol.removethisbit.com> wrote in message news:452c982b$0$16505$8404b019@news.wineasy.se...>> >> I believe the reason is that you can convert the "free" edition into >> the "full" edition by buying a license with no need to do a full >> reinstall. However, I understand there are some problems with that >> approach. >> > > Personally, I don't see why they have a licensing system at all, even on > the full package, or why they charge for the full package. It would be > much easier for users if the FPGAs cost very slightly more (to be fair, > the increase should be on larger FPGAs, and only when bought in small > quantities), and the software should be free. I fully understand why > Altera would like it to be registered in some way, and to track who is > using it, but letting users use it freely would remove all the hassles > associated with licensing, node locks, battles with "FlexLM", moving > computers, and so on. In recent times I've had a couple of customers > battle with licensing issues (not with any FPGA-related software) - the > wasted time and effort has cost far more than the software licenses in the > first place.Maybe because there are companies like Synplicity and Mentor Graphics that sell tools that are not vendor specific and do not sell parts. When Microsoft bundles things in and 'gives things away' people rant about how they drive the independent software vendors out of business....a similar argument would likely apply here. Altera, Xilinx, Synplicity, Mentor Graphics et al pay out hard cash to provide software tools and all expect some return on that investment in some form (either directly from the tool or indirectly through parts or both). If one (or more) of the parts guys gives the tools away it can probably be construed by the legal eagles in Washington as a tactic to drive a competitor out of business thus deserving of some close and unprofitable scrutiny. Obviously they can get away with giving limited versions of the tool away; I'm sure Synp and Ment would prefer to make money off of those as well but apparently the perceived loss in revenue is not considered to be worth trying to recoup via the legal system, anti-trust laws, that sort of approach. Just my speculation. KJ
Reply by ●October 11, 20062006-10-11
KJ wrote:> "David Brown" <david@westcontrol.removethisbit.com> wrote in message > news:452c982b$0$16505$8404b019@news.wineasy.se... > >> > >> I believe the reason is that you can convert the "free" edition into > >> the "full" edition by buying a license with no need to do a full > >> reinstall. However, I understand there are some problems with that > >> approach. > >> > > > > Personally, I don't see why they have a licensing system at all, even on > > the full package, or why they charge for the full package. It would be > > much easier for users if the FPGAs cost very slightly more (to be fair, > > the increase should be on larger FPGAs, and only when bought in small > > quantities), and the software should be free. I fully understand why > > Altera would like it to be registered in some way, and to track who is > > using it, but letting users use it freely would remove all the hassles > > associated with licensing, node locks, battles with "FlexLM", moving > > computers, and so on. In recent times I've had a couple of customers > > battle with licensing issues (not with any FPGA-related software) - the > > wasted time and effort has cost far more than the software licenses in the > > first place. > > Maybe because there are companies like Synplicity and Mentor Graphics that > sell tools that are not vendor specific and do not sell parts. When > Microsoft bundles things in and 'gives things away' people rant about how > they drive the independent software vendors out of business....a similar > argument would likely apply here. > > Altera, Xilinx, Synplicity, Mentor Graphics et al pay out hard cash to > provide software tools and all expect some return on that investment in some > form (either directly from the tool or indirectly through parts or both). > If one (or more) of the parts guys gives the tools away it can probably be > construed by the legal eagles in Washington as a tactic to drive a > competitor out of business thus deserving of some close and unprofitable > scrutiny. Obviously they can get away with giving limited versions of the > tool away; I'm sure Synp and Ment would prefer to make money off of those as > well but apparently the perceived loss in revenue is not considered to be > worth trying to recoup via the legal system, anti-trust laws, that sort of > approach. > > Just my speculation. > > KJI believe it is a bit more strategic than that. Consider that Microsoft practically gives away Windows and Office to universities, with the expectation that most of those new grads will have used the software during their studies. Now, consider those same college students when they get to the point where buying decisions are made. Will they go with Microsoft products, or something else? No, I think Altera and Xilinx give away the low-end stuff so that students and hobbiests will get exposure to their products. After all, if the price of entry is > $3k, how many college's, much less students, will be able to provide a reasonable number of seats to do FPGA designs? Also, the best students are going to want to do some work at home, and most are certainly NOT going to be able to afford the full Quartus or ISE package. With both Xilinx and Altera giving away low-end versions of the software, those students can now choose either, or both, to try out at home. The cost of development boards becomes the next issue. (Xilinx is still winning this one) Thus, the free software is almost a promotional expense for the FPGA vendors. It gives people a taste of what's available, and (hopefully) gives the users a good impression. Perhaps it's better that they have the same licensing restrictions in a sense. It prevents perception problems later, when you have a real license, and can't move it between PC's.
