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Does Not Match With Your Dongle Autodata [upd]: The Hardware Information

Solved: "The Hardware Information Does Not Match With Your Dongle" Autodata Error

If you are an automotive technician or a DIY mechanic relying on Autodata for wiring diagrams, torque specs, and service schedules, few things are more frustrating than software issues. You turn on your PC, try to launch the program, and are immediately stopped by a red or grey box declaring:

"The hardware information does not match with your dongle."

This error essentially bricks the software, preventing you from accessing the data you need. But what does it mean, and more importantly, how do you fix it?

In this post, we will break down the causes of this error and provide step-by-step solutions to get your Autodata back up and running. Solved: "The Hardware Information Does Not Match With

8. Check for Hardware Failure

Step 1: The Obvious Check (But Often Overlooked)

Verify you have the correct dongle. If your workshop uses Autodata 2015, Autodata 2018, and Autodata Online (offline cache), each requires a specific dongle. Look at the sticker on the dongle—does it say "AD2018" or "AD2021"? Does the software launcher match that exact version?

Action: Try every Autodata dongle in the shop. If another dongle works, you have found the problem: you have the wrong physical key.

Step 3: Reinstall the Dongle Driver (Most Effective Fix)

Corrupt drivers are the #1 technical cause of this mismatch. Feature: It's possible the dongle itself is faulty

For Sentinel/HASP dongles (older Autodata versions):

  1. Download the latest Sentinel HASP/LDK Run-time from the official Thales website (do not use random third-party sites).
  2. Unplug your dongle.
  3. Run the installer as Administrator.
  4. Choose "Repair" installation if offered, otherwise complete a standard install.
  5. Reboot your PC.
  6. Plug the dongle into a different USB port (this forces Windows to re-enumerate the device).

For CodeMeter dongles (newer Autodata versions):

  1. Open Control Panel > Programs and Features.
  2. Uninstall CodeMeter Runtime.
  3. Restart your PC.
  4. Download the latest CodeMeter Runtime from Wibu-Systems.
  5. Reinstall and restart again.

Part 4: The "Hardware ID Reset" or "Deactivation & Reactivation" Process

This is the core solution. Because the dongle is "married" to specific hardware, you must break that marriage and re-marry it to the current (or new) hardware. 4. Software Compatibility

Autodata licenses come with a limited number of activations or a specific deactivation procedure. The exact steps depend on your version (Autodata 3.40, 3.44, 4.00, or older 2000s-era versions).

Step 5 – Disable Conflicting Software

1. Objective

To identify the causes and provide step-by-step solutions for the error:

“The hardware information does not match with your dongle autodata”
encountered when launching AutoData software.

4. Software Compatibility