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The original was posted on /r/talesfromtechsupport by /u/i_invented_the_ipod on 2025-09-11 15:38:52+00:00.

It’s the early 1990s, and I’m doing field service work for a company that makes factory automation machines and software for manufacturing companies. We get a call from a customer, and their production line is down “because your software won’t start up”.

We used a hardware copy-protection system for our software, which used a “dongle” plugged into the printer port. The software would not find the dongle if the printer was attached, but turned off. So, that’s what the message in red text on a black background, with a flashing border around it says: “software licensing key not found. Check that printer is turned on”.

So, I ask the guy: “Have you checked that the printer is turned on?”

“Of course I have, what kind of idiot do you think I am? You need to send someone down here now!”

Okay, well - that “someone” is me, so I load up the company van with a new software key, a new computer, a copy of their custom version of the software, a new printer, every possible cable, all of the tools, and I get on the road.

Two hours later, I rock up to the factory, get checked in, issued ear plugs, escorted through a maze of passages and dangerous machinery, and meet the machine operator.

I point to the message on the screen, open up the printer cabinet, turn on the printer, point at the green power light, and restart the software, which works fine. Operator gives me a comical “oops” pantomime, then a thumbs up.

Back out through the maze of passages, get to the van, and realize that I’ve locked the keys in it. So two more hours waiting for a co-worker to run the spare keys down to me.