Thread: VMWare Fusion can't run iGuidance 4.0

A response from iNav Support:

> Hi Philip:
> Unfortunately, there is copy protection build-in w/ iGuidance to prevent multiple copies of iGuidance running off the server or networked PC's. This copy protection module will not work under VMWare environment as VMWare's main function is to facilitate multiple OS and/or multiple licenses running simultaneously.
>
> We apologize for the inconvenience.
> Support Team
> www.inavcorp.com


I followed that up with:


I totally understand that principle under earlier versions of iGuidance, but under iGuidance 4.0 you have a neat activation scheme. How many people have servers or networks in their vehicles? VMWare Fusion is primarily intended to provide Windows on OSX, just like Parallels Desktop. iGuidance works fine under Parallels.

Is there no way to differentiate between other VMWare products and Fusion, to allow it and not them? Fusion seems to be a better product than Parallels, I'd really like to use it.

Thanks.

Philip.



I doubt anything will change soon. I may end up buying Parallels after all. A pity as Fusion was really good, and they even have a 30 day free trial.

I was considering switch from Parallels to VMWare Fusion, but if I can't get iGuidance 4 to work, it may not be worth even trying it.

I'm not all that thrilled with how Parallels handles USB connections coming out of Safe Sleep.

You can download the 30 day trial just to see what its like. I was impressed. I'm not impressed with iNav for imposing this restriction.

As it happens, as Parallels is running a 15 day trial as well, so I installed that too to compare. The transporter function is really neat, it copied and converted my VMWare virtual machine into a Parallels virtual machine so I didn't have the hassle of re-installing and re-activating both Windows and iGuidance.

First impressions:

1) It works fine, but VMWare seemed a bit more responsive (multiple cores?)

2) iGuidance works fine now, I prefer the way VMWare deals with USB devices though.

3) Transporter was really neat.

4) Switching between fullscreen iGuidance and Front Row is really cool

I was reading this morning that VMWare has the same deal with converting from Parallels. I'll have to try that tonight.

Parallels hates my GPS device. I have to activate it every time I reboot XP.

A reply from iNav:

Hi Philip:
The company whom we license the copyright protection module from indicated
that the activation control will not work w/ VMWare. There must be some kind
of file that's common on all of VMWare's program, and the activation control
program will automatically self-terminate so users are not able to activate.

If you wish, you may return the software in its original packaging for a
refund minus the original s/h fee.

We apologize for the inconvenience.
Support Team
www.inavcorp.com


So, that probably rules out the combination of iGuidance and VMWare Fusion. I've already deleted VMWare and have ordered Parallels.

A little update from my end. I switched from Parallels to VMware and I must say, VMware is far superior to Parallels in every way possible. It's more stable, runs faster and handles USB connections so much better.

I think if you activated iGuidance 4 under Parallels and then converted to VMware, you could sneak around the activation glitch in VMware.

That is BS! I bet they specifically block VMWare because they figure people could use it to run a virtualPC that would always have the same machine ID for the telephone/email unlock method.

What sucks is that they only blocked one of multiple virtualPC programs. They are robbing VMWare of business. I hope iNav and whoever wrote there crappy activation software get sued over this.

One thing I always loved about iGuidance before 4.0 was that you did not need to install it. You could simply copy the root iNav folder and the Program-Files\iNav folder to any PC and it would be good to go. This is a huge help when setting up a car PC. You always want to install and configure everything at the desk, not in the car (which may not even have internet access or a keyboard).

I have downloaded IDA (an awesome dis-assembler) and am attempting to crack the UMPC.exe so I can simply copy it to my CarPC HDD and run it without having to get internet access or phone/email a machine ID. When looking at the code, I can see how they specifically check for VMWare and I plan to hex-edit the exe so it will jump over that check as well as all the license checks. I will not distribute this exe as it is illegal, but I could tell you what to hex-edit and I may eventually make a patcher.

If everyone who reads this e-mails iNav to complain about the new activation scheme and the fact that they are illegally reducing VMWare profits, then maybe they will drop this BS in 5.0. If they don't, I'm not paying for it!

Originally Posted by newb77

I will not distribute this exe as it is illegal, but I could tell you what to hex-edit and I may eventually make a patcher.

Actually, according to DMCA what you are attempting is illegal. Spreading that information in any form (instructions, patch, or cracked exe) is also illegal according to that wonderful bit of law making.

Just an FYI. And mp3car.com doesn't take to kindly to people posting that sort of info either.

-dave