autocad authorization

Picked up an original cd of mechanical desktop 2.0.
What do I need to get it authorized?
I have serial no. and cd key no. What questions
do they ask?
Phil J

 

They are the Autocad authorization center. I picked it up at a
garage sale. I don't plan to use it commercially, just to learn how
it works.
Phil J

 

The short answer is you cannot authorize it with Autodesk, because you
are not the license holder.

If you choose to run it without authorizing it, then that's your business.

Why not just get the educational version, or another vendors product?

 

Thanks for the info
Phil J

 

MDT R2 - I've never used MDT that old, but that must be just about in the
hardware dongle days. Did the software you bought come with a hardware lock?

Anyway, in case you do not frequent these groups often, you will find
differing opinions concerning AutoDesk's licensing policy - my own will not
help to answer your question. On the factual side, Autodesk considers all of
their products to be for professional use, and not for free distribution.
They impose, and to some degree enforce a strict end user license agreement,
which precludes transfer of license rights. In other words, you are not
"allowed" to purchase a copy, however old, and obtain an authorization code.

How does one learn to use the software, and decide whether they need it
before putting down 4K+ for full-on purchase? The "educational" versions, to
the best of my knowledge, require proof of enrollement in an educational
institution. If you are no longer a student, then you only have a 30-day
"trial" period, which is not much, particularly for someone who is not
experienced in CAD use.

Many people end up being exposed to the product through their work - using
copies which may be legal or otherwise - and later decide to purchase the
software. There is a paradox here, because the publisher goes to great
lengths to limit or banish "illegal" use of the software, but it is a fair
bet that 50% of their current subscribers (that's just a guess) got used to
the software through such use. It is easy to imagine that an illegal copy of
AutoCad represents a lost sale - however it is just as plausible that an
illegal copy given to an employee to use represents a potential future sale.

The current licensing policy of Autodesk is a frequent subject of debate here
- whatever one's opinion, I believe it would be fair to say the current
state of affairs is sub-optimal, both for the company and the users and
would-be users.

G Faris

 

Interesting, I believe the one I have may be a student
version. It had the 30 day time limit.
Phil J

 

It's not just the "educational" version that has the 30-day limit.
Perhaps I expressed myself poorly. I just think that for a non student,
particularly one who is not currently using other CAD programs, 30 days is
not enough to know if it's something you need or want. Six months might be
enough.

I said I wouldn't bother you with my personal opinion, but I happen to be one
who supports Autodesk's efforts to protect their development costs -
perhaps because I am one who has paid the price to acquire the software
legitimately, and I'm not keen on giving it away to others who will use their
advantage to compete against me. I do recognize however that the current
system employed by Autodesk may actually cost them as many sales as it gains.
What are they to do? If they just drop the issue, as many here appear to
favor, then the softaware will simply be available for free download from
hundreds of FTP sites - the company, unable to make any more sales, will go
out of business, and we will all lose something. Bottom line - it's an
imperfect world. Get as much time in as you can on your MDT 2.0, and if you
like it, buy it! The later versions are 2000% better, by the way!

G Faris