ilok question

[GothicV]

Hey, I have had an ilok for quite some time now... been using it and removing it as needed. Now I have a little "machine room" going to shut up my computer, and it's a pain going through the door [it's outta the way] to remove the ilok. Is it bad just leaving it in? Even when I am not using PT?

[K.B.]

I leave mine plugged in. Good question though. Do you completely turn the power off? When I shut my PC down the led stays on which implies it doesn't get power surges that might damage it (or does it?). On the other hand it's constantly on. An inra-red mouse I had (no moving parts either) stayed on all the time too, and broke down after a year.

Now I've got several bits of software on the iLok I'm beginning to worry about what happens if it breaks...

Has anyone's iLok broken down yet?

[spkguitar]

I've never had a problem leaving it in. Why would you remove it unless you're taking it to another machine?

[GothicV]

'cause it has an led

I dunno, it just seems right to turn stuff off when you aren't using them... like chainsaws, for example.


though I leave my computer on.

[K.B.]

If it's your LED you're worried about, you'll do more damage to it repeatedly plugging and unplugging it.

Seriously though, the iLok is only ever 'used' when any software looks for it and asks for authorisation. it should be like the chip in your digital watch and last for... uh...

[DigiTechSupt]

It's completely fine to leave it plugged in. A typical LED has a lifespan in the neigborhood of 7-10 years, so you shouldn't need to worry about it.

[K.B.]

Is that Tech Support cracking a joke?

I'm more concerned about the lifespan of the chip inside, or corruption of the data on it.

[GothicV]

yeah honestly I dont care about the led... the data is pretty much the only thing on the list of my worries.