"Evaluation expired" when opening Trados Studio / Passolo while using USB Tethering internet connection
000013185|12/27/2023 9:59 AM
Scope/Environment
Trados Studio 2019
Trados Studio 2017
Trados Studio 2015
Passolo 2018
Passolo 2016
Symptoms/Context
You are using USB Tethering internet connection and receive one of he following error messages when opening Trados Studio / Passolo:
Evaluation expired [25]
Evaluation [37]
Active License: Not Licensed
Active License: Licensed
Resolution
Ask for a license reset and then activate Studio / Passolo while using a Wireless connection.
Root Cause
The licensing system used by Studio / Passolo generates a unique Installation ID with each activation of the software. This ID is created based on 2 criteria: Disk ID of the PC and the Ethernet (MAC) Address. When using USB Tethering internet connection (or a similar type of connection) it generates a random MAC Address. Because of this, when you launch Studio, the software believes it's a new installation (PC) and, for safety reasons and to avoid fraud attempt, does not allow to use the license code. This is to prevent to use the same code on multiple PC`s.
Note: The same situation might occur when the first activation was performed while your laptop was connected through a docking station.