Old Password Protection Problem

I work for a company that has automated programs/routines that were written by an emplyee that left under unhappy circumstances. He has password protected the programs and we are not able to get in and modify them as needed.

I have posted this in other forums with no luck. I have even spoken to an AutoDesk Developer and been told "sorry" we can't help you. I asked Autodesk if they would remove the password and return the files to me unprotected. You know - I don't want to know their secrets I just want them to unlock files that their programming has locked and we can't get in.

I know it is a touchy subject about "breaking" passwords to someone else's prgramming, but this is work product and belongs to the company I work for not the person that developed it.

I am attaching a thread from Autodesk that may give more info into the history or my pursuit. If there is anyone out there that can help me I would be in there debt. I might be able to treat you to beer and all the Hooter's wings you can eat.

http://discussion.autodesk.com/forums/thread.jspa?messageID=6118698

Anxiously waiting 'with a worm on my tongue'...

Are they compiled VBA or LISP files? As, if they are, then I think you are out of luck.

They are .fas lisp routines.

They are .fas lisp routines.

Compiled then - I'd be interested if you find a solution

If the programs were written during company time then the employee is liable for damages or lost time.

I suggest that the company seek legal advice and have a lawyer write a letter explaining the circumstances of what preceedings may be taken out against him.

A quick mild mannered phone call before hand may turn his head.

Oh that was the first thing I suggested to my supervisor and his boss. They said they had considered it, but changed their minds. What that leads me to is that the company did something bad enough to the employee that the company or involved parties wouldn't want that information to get out in court.

So in the meantime us low life peon drafters are stuck with what is left behind. Truth be told the programs need to be re-written, but I haven't got a clue as to how to go about getting that done. One of our guys is familiar with programming, but not enough to be proficient and get it done in a reasonable amount of time. The other thing would be to hire someone to do it, but I don't know where to go for that sort of thing, nor do I have a clue as to how much it would cost the company or if the company is willing to pay for it at this time. Maybe when things pick up.

The other thing would be to hire someone to do it, but I don't know where to go for that sort of thing, nor do I have a clue as to how much it would cost the company or if the company is willing to pay for it at this time...

I would be willing to give it a go for a small fee, (depending on the work involved...)

I would just re-write the code.

Ryder,

I just read through the thread on the autodesk forum, I see that you are using AutoCAD Electrical, are you using the project manager function of Electrical? It will do a few of the things you posted in your thread - perhaps not the same way, and surely not without some work to change to the new method, but at least you will then be using "standard" AutoCAD functions that would be supported by Autodesk.

...update the first sheet that lists all other sheets with the current revision of all drawings on the contract, another acts like a file manager and will do global changes to the title block information, control stamp, and will pdf all the files that are selected.

We use the project manager to dreate a drawing index, perform global changes to the titleblock and plot (to pdf or selected plotter) selected drawings or the entire project.

Glen

Glen,

We have Electrical, but run it as Vanilla. I have read about some of the things that can done that would duplicate what we do, but am not sure how to use it. Also, the issue of getting the other operators/drafters to learn and do it the same way. You know how it is - change is difficult to effect.

I would be willing to give it a go for a small fee, (depending on the work involved...)

I will discuss it with my co-workers and then my supervisor. What would you need to be able to give me a quote? PM or email me if you like.

I will discuss it with my co-workers and then my supervisor. What would you need to be able to give me a quote? PM or email me if you like.

I'll PM you with some info

If the programs were written during company time then the employee is liable for damages or lost time.

I suggest that the company seek legal advice and have a lawyer write a letter explaining the circumstances of what preceedings may be taken out against him.

A quick mild mannered phone call before hand may turn his head.

This is exactly my thoughts. Something is fishy if the owner of this IP doesn't do the above. See also: http://cadpanacea.com/node/170

Ryder,

I know how hard it is to make progress, especially when you are the only one pushing others who are reluctant to make the change. I also would like to see Lee Mac get paid to write some LISP - in fact I am looking at doing so myself (need to do some more research).

However, your company spent extra to get Electrical and isn't using the added features, and now is considering spending more money to get those features.

It seems like the time and money would be better spent on getting Electrical to do what you bought it for, rather than delaying the problem a few releases. (Will Lees code work in 2011, 2012 and so on?)

Good luck with whatever decision you come to.

Glen

Glen,

Thanks and I agree; however, I am not in a position to dictate what will be done. Goodness knows that seems to be the holy grail for all of us - being able to tell our companies the most efficient way to do things and have them say, 'Yes we need to do that and we will begin to implement that right away.'

I have learned from a previous job what my limit is when it comes to recommendations. I will make my recommendations and leave it to them to change or suffer the consequences. If or when it becomes too much to deal with - working with both hands tied behind my back - I'll move on. The last time it cost me my health and I refuse to allow that to ever happen again.

Thanks to everyone for trying to help - I will do what I can and then let go. Life is more than work.

could you post one of the fas file so i can look at it

Have you googled it?

Because I once almost lost my lisp & dcl files for a .vlx

and there were a few companyies to reverse egineer it, Quite cheaply i belive.

Mind you there's nothing like a leemac written program

Is there such a thing as fas file unlock software?

I will make my recommendations and leave it to them to change or suffer the consequences. If or when it becomes too much to deal with - working with both hands tied behind my back - I'll move on. The last time it cost me my health and I refuse to allow that to ever happen again.

Ryder,

I struggled with whether to post my response, I'm glad you took it the way it looks like you did. For the record, the place I've been working for since Feb. is not using Electrical to its full potential either. I'm learning loads and they have been mostly supportive of me figuring out how to use it on my own, and we are working on getting training to use it better. We are using the Project Manager, set up by my supervisor (who went to a class last year) before I got there. We are working on getting components set up now, and possibly some more training.

Project manager does not look like it is too difficult to set up (sez the guy who had nothing to do with getting it set up in the first place). There are certainly some hoops to jump through, but I'm willing to help. (With the theory that - you don't really understand anything till you can teach someone else how to do it - in mind.) Is your company supportive of you trying new things and learning on your own - or is it more of a "do it the way we always done it" kind of place?

Glen

(Using AutoCAD since Jan '08 and Electrical since Feb '09)

Is there such a thing as fas file unlock software?

I assume yes,

However i have only seen company's offering the servis to unlock vlx (that was what i looked for), but since a vlx is mulitple fas and others surly they would be able to to do it