Should ILok's be replaced periodically?

[Sparky1]

Hi there.


Not sure where to post this - so thought I'd start here...


Do ILok's ever "wear out"?


I've had mine for a few years now and started to wonder if I should replace it.


I currently have Gen 2 - and notice they have Gen 3...


It works well - but as things can and do - wonder if one day it will quit working because of its age...


Thoughts?


Thanks,


Sparky

[JingleDjango]

I would recommend you purchase Theft and Loss Coverage (TLC) and purchase a second iLok to transfer your licenses to in case of physical damage or loss of your original. In the meantime, there's no need to periodically replace them.

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by JingleDjango

I would recommend you purchase Theft and Loss Coverage (TLC) and purchase a second iLok to transfer your licenses to in case of physical damage or loss of your original. In the meantime, there's no need to periodically replace them.

Agree 100%. You might get a newer iLok3 and leave the iLok2 as a backup. The 3rd gen are smaller and all metal, making them tougher(less likely to break).

[Sparky1]

Thanks for the quick replies.


Just looked on the ILok site - the TLC is part of the ZDT package - and not a separate or independent option...?


Sparky

[Top Jimmy]

I’ve used iLok for 15 years now. The only time I’ve had a problem was when I had my iLok plugged into a front USB port on my PC. I had pulled my computer out to access the rear and snapped off the iLok with my leg when I returned to my chair. Since then, I keep my iLok, elicenser, and cmstick in a powered USB hub without any other problems. But, I do have a spare iLok in case I ever have another problem, and if you’re a working pro, it makes sense to have zero downtime coverage with TLC for instant license recovery.

[Sparky1]

Originally Posted by Top Jimmy

I’ve used iLok for 15 years now. The only time I’ve had a problem was when I had my iLok plugged into a front USB port on my PC. I had pulled my computer out to access the rear and snapped off the iLok with my leg when I returned to my chair. Since then, I keep my iLok, elicenser, and cmstick in a powered USB hub without any other problems. But, I do have a spare iLok in case I ever have another problem, and if you’re a working pro, it makes sense to have zero downtime coverage with TLC for instant license recovery.

Thanks Top Jimmy for the insight...


Not so much a working pro - but a serious home studio guy... so being without my system - would still be kind of a PITA while I got things sorted out...



Sounds like a spare ILok should be my minimum at this point - and will order that today...


Sparky

[originalscottyg]

Originally Posted by Sparky1

Thanks for the quick replies.


Just looked on the ILok site - the TLC is part of the ZDT package - and not a separate or independent option...?


Sparky

Correct. TLC is included for free with ZDT and is not available on its own. TLC requires you to have your computer online to refresh it at least once every 90 days (not required to have your computer online the whole time, just to refresh TLC). This is to make sure people aren't scamming the system by selling iLok, etc.

ZDT is an absolute no brainer at $30/year. The spare iLok won't really help you unless you have ZDT.

[ArKay99]

Originally Posted by originalscottyg

The spare iLok won't really help you unless you have ZDT.

This...

[JingleDjango]

Sparky1, if you're a home studio user whose iLok doesn't move around with them and whose dongle only holds the Pro Tools license and maybe one or two plugins, ZDT and the spare iLok may be excessive. I have never experienced a hardware fault and I bring mine from studio to studio constantly.

From what I hear, Avid has a good track record for reinvoking licenses lost due to iLok faults. That said, if you have many other licenses on your iLok you will have to reach out to each developer individually and hope that they're willing to replace the license for you. They have no obligation to do this but may be more than happy to, to keep you happy. The advantage of ZDT is that PACE (iLok) will sort that out for you. You only need to provide a replacement dongle onto which they'll transfer the licenses.

Honestly, it felt like a bit of a shakedown the first time I paid the yearly ZDT fee but the peace of mind is worth it for most of us.

[Sparky1]

Thanks JingleDjango.


Yeah - I've got quite a few licenses on my ILok... not sure why I never considered the ZDT before.


When I checked the ILok site - it's really not that expensive - and would make life simple in the event of a failure...


Thinking that's the way to go...


Much appreciate everyone's insight!


Thanks,


Sparky