remote desktop and license keys

[pdenchfield]

Looking for best practices related to remote desktop and Flare. I discovered today that connecting via remote desktop apparently changes my machine ID, causing issues with my license key. Fortunately support quickly reactivated my license key, and I was able to work in Flare again soon.

Support advised the following process for remote desktop with Flare:
1. Deactivate Flare before leaving the office
2. Connect to machine via remote desktop
3. Reactivate Flare
4. Deactivate Flare before disconnecting remote desktop
5. Repeat....

I guess this process avoids the machine ID issue. It's a big hassle, though.

If you have further advice on remote desktop/local work with Flare, please do let me know.

[RamonS]

I have never heard that RDP changes the machine name. Are you sure that is the reason?

[pdenchfield]

No, I'm not sure. The MadCap person I spoke with was not technically from their support area. He just reactivated my license key.

Hopefully support will get back to me soon and say more about best practices with RDP and license keys.

[ToddPh]

I think you must be encountering some other issue, as I have often connected to my work computer from home to work on projects with no issues other than some slowing (VPN to RDP to Flare 9 and 10).

Out of curiosity, when you use Remote Desktop to access Flare are you connecting to your normal work computer where Flare is licensed? Or could there be a virtual machine setup that also has Flare with your same license key? I ask because the Flare license provides for installation on two computers so long as they are in different domains, and I can imagine a situation where bringing the second license online might deactivate your original license. Just grasping at straws really, but I hope it adds some mojo to your troubleshooting.

[pdenchfield]

Thanks, Todd. Good question. I am RDPing to my normal work computer where Flare is licensed.

By the way, the first response from tech support was to delete the C:\ProgramData\MadCap\Software\Flare\MadCap Flare V10.mcdat file and restart Flare. I might try that if I run into this again.

[CATERAF]

I'm not sure what's causing your issue but I haven't had problems using remote desktop with Flare. I have had the case where I've lost the Ribbons in Flare but it wasn't an issue with licensing so Flare would still open.

I also use Teamviewer as a way to 'remote access' my work computer from home (so I don't need to transport my project to and from work). You can get free licenses of this for personal use (or you can purchase a license for commercial) which may give you a temporary avenue to access Flare at work if you need to. I'm not sure if it would work for you because it sounds like something else may be happening, but I use it often so can confirm that it works.

VPN is an alternative and this may work for you depending on your internet connection. We've had problems getting VPN to work well with Contributor (not sure about Flare) because it's very slow but it may be worth a shot if nothing else works.

[pdenchfield]

Thanks for the suggestions, CATERAF. I use VPN to connect, then Remote Desktop. I'm still waiting on tech support's reply to my question on how to avoid this issue in the future.