SoftShell Copy Protection System Tutorial

I. Configure your application

Using the sample programs provided as a guide, implement the SShllClient.dll ActiveX DLL component and a method for user registration. Your application is required to generate an evaluation ID that will be required in order to generate a registration ID. Feel free to use the registration screens provided in the example programs either directly or as a model.

II. Open a SoftShell Administrator database.

After starting the application, select File->Open from the main screen menu. Select a valid database file (.mdb extension). You may use any number of databases to manage your application registrations. The most recently opened database file will be automatically opened the next time the application is started.

III. Create an Application Record

From the main screen menu, select Setup->Application. In the "General" tab, enter the name of your application and an optional description of your application. Most importantly, enter the password of your application. This password must exactly match the password included in your application when executing one of the initialization methods.

If there are any optional features in your application, name them in the "Option Name" tab. Double-click on the option name field to modify the contents of the cell. When finished, save the record and close the screen.

IV. Create a User Record

From the main screen menu, select Setup->Users. Enter the user's information in the "User Information" tab.

Enter the user's contact information in the "Contact Information" tab.

When finished, save the record and close the screen.

V. Create a Registration Record

From the main screen menu, select Setup->Registration. Enter a unique name for the application registration you wish to create in the "Registration Name" tab. An optional description may be entered as well.

Enter the registration information needed to create a registration ID. If the user has sent you an Evaluation ID, copy and paste that string into the Evaluation ID text box. Verify the machine ID is correct. If the string is a serial number, this number is probably ok as serial numbers should be somewhat unique. If the machine ID is an email or company name, make sure the name is correct. 

Select the "Options" tab. If you have optional features to be activated for the current registration (i.e. a user has purchased one or more optional features), click on the appropriate checkboxes to activate them.

Return to the "Registration Setup" tab. Click the "Generate Registration Number" command button and save the current record. Click on the "Save to File" command button to save the registration ID to a license file. Alternately, you could simply copy and paste the registration ID into an existing file. Once you've created your license file, email the file to your user. Once the user has copied this file to the path you specify, their application will be registered with the desired optional features (if any) activated, expiration dates, etc.