I’ve just installed EasyTac on my computer and plugged in my Optac download tool
When i click on the easytac icon all I get is “” Please insert your Easytac software activation card"
the activation card is in the reader !!
The reader seems to be working as I have transferred the data files onto the computer by using copy and paste
anyone got any ideas ■■?
Easytac requires a smartcard reader connected and installed in order to activate it.
This program has the best copy protection I’ve seen on a piece of software. To install it you require a card reader to activate it. If you then want to install it on another machine you have to run a routine in the easytac application which uninstalls & requests the activation card again and then generates a code that you have to email to the developer who then sends you yet another code to enter in the new installation…phew!!
I’d ask Optac if their device will act as a smart card reader rather than a flash drive when connected to your PC - if not then you’ll have to buy an Omnikey or similar for around £35.
I thought the Optac was a card reader !!
I’ve emailed EasyTac but will try Optac tomorrow ( do you think buying it on ebay will cause problems ? 
)
Optac is a card reader but it is a self contained unit ie, it downloads and stores the data without needing anything else (PC). As far as I know (I haven’t used one but know those who have) its interface with the outside world is as a flash drive.
Easytac is supplied with a usb smart card reader that in itself does nothing by way of storage, but when its connected to the PC and easytac is launched, the program recognises the card reader and controls it - hence is able to see the activation card.
With the Optac connected, the computer sees a flash drive - nothing else. Now when you have activated the program thats fine as easytac will quite happily import files from Optac, SD Cards, Pen Drives, Floppy discs or whatever else you choose to use.
I suspect the key difference between a dedicated Smart Card Reader and the Optac is that the reader needs a driver installing for it to be recognised and used, whereas the Optac doesn’t and it doesn’t appear to have one available on their website.
Your best bet is to borrow a usb card reader from a mate, install the driver for it on your pc, activate easytac, return card reader to mate and buy him a pint for the trouble. Alternatively buy one, use it to activate then put it in the cupboard until you wish to move the program to another PC when you will need it again.
Hope that makes sense!
The ebay thing?
Shouldn’t matter as its not a warranty issue really. The Optac works as it should, Easytac works as it should, you just haven’t got the piece of kit that will allow you to activate the program.
If anything, the people who sold you Easytac should have made this clearer to you when you purchased it.
I can understand why they have such an activation policy as if this program was ever cracked they’d never sell another copy…so the hassle you are facing is due to anti-warez rather than hardware
Thanks Lard
nicely explained - I even understood it 
Easytac support came to the same conclusion as you, Lard
Hello,
I have looked into your problem further and have found out that your Optac reader is a driver card reader only, not a smart card reader. You need a smart card reader in order to use the activation card. A smart card reader comes with the starter packages that we sell the EasyTac software in. Maybe you have one of these as well?
Regards,
EasyTac Support
I think this is what you need
lard:
I think this is what you need
apart from not having a stand - do you think this is the same ■■?
Denis F:
lard:
I think this is what you needapart from not having a stand - do you think this is the same ■■?
Yes it’s the same thing “The CardMan 3121”.
I bought an “Omnikey CardMan 3121” off eBay and it worked fine for uploading the driver card data to Tachodisc so it should work for you, I’ve no idea about Easytac or the Optac reader though.
Yep, thats the same reader but at a very nice price!
lard:
Yep, thats the same reader but at a very nice price!
thought it was
I’ve been in haulage and farming too long - I’m getting as careful with my cash as a Scot 
just a quick update
bought the ebay one all working fine now
Soz for dragging up an old thread, blame Google.
How are you getting on with this and what exactly are you able to do with the data retrieved off the card?
it stores the data so you can see it, and it also lets you print it or export it into a spreadsheet ( I’ve never tried the last two) It doesn’t analyse anything but does what I need. It will remind you when you need to do the downloads as well !
a day’s activity looks like this
Thanks. 
How much was the ‘software’ if you don’t mind me asking? I’ve seen Card readers for around £15 on scambay.
dinosteveus1:
Thanks.
How much was the ‘software’ if you don’t mind me asking? I’ve seen Card readers for around £15 on scambay.
I bought my reader on ebay too, somewhere about a tenner iirc, the software was about £80+VAT ( I’ve just had a quick look around and see it’s £89.95/£89.99 + VAT on a couple of websites I use) probably best to google for the best price
Denis F:
I bought my reader on ebay too, somewhere about a tenner iirc, the software was about £80+VAT ( I’ve just had a quick look around and see it’s £89.95/£89.99 + VAT on a couple of websites I use) probably best to google for the best price
Ummmm that’s too much, gutted. There must be a cheap and easy way of copying and printing the data on the card at Home.
I have been asked by a couple of people if I can analyse their tacho’s so I downloaded a copy of Solo Plus to try out the reader. I can grab the data and then analyse and highlight WTD RTD infringements in excel from the exported file (lots of IF statements used).
I haven’t splashed the cash (i’ve dealt with farmers so bit tight as well) but prefer the look of EasyTac over Solo. Does it download reg numbers — have you tried the excel export?
gazzaman58:
. Does it download reg numbers — have you tried the excel export?
not sure what you mean by download reg numbers but it does vehicle downloads from a download key ( I’ve got an Optac)
Sorry, I’ve never tried exporting to Excel 