Protection code is checking integrity of protected application during decryption process. This message is displayed in case application is not properly decrypted.

There are few possible reasons for this:

1. Program has been externally patched (changed), damaged or infected by virus.

2. Remote protection: decryption key is not valid (most common reason).

- Be sure to use the same Program ID for applications with same Application signature.

- Be sure to use correct project for calculation of activation codes.

If you have two applications with same application signature and different Program ID installed on same computer, one of them will be wrongly decrypted and will display "File damaged!" warning message. Both application are sharing the same license data including Program ID (encryption key) and this is why one of them will be wrongly decrypted.

If "Reset license if crc errors are detected" option was enabled in remote protection settings protected application will display "File damaged!" error message and reset current license so that new site/mid code is generated on next run. At this point you can generate new, valid activation code and pass it to your client.

In case this option was not enabled there are two ways for getting out of this situation:

A) License removal feature is enabled:

Instruct your customer to remove his license and provide new site/mid code (which are generated after license removal). Use the latest project settings to generate new activation code.

B) License removal feature is not enabled:

- Enable "Reset license if crc errors are detected" option and protect your program again. Send newly protected program to your customer. This release will reset license and generate new site/mid code so you can generate valid activation code.

3. Program is changed during loading process.

This is done by OS and can not be avoided. You should turn off some encryption (code/data) options until this message goes away.


2. I keep getting "Interface DLL is missing!" error? What I'm doing wrong?

Be sure to distribute interface dll (PCGW32.DLL) file together with protected application. This DLL should be located in same directory as protected application or in windows\system32 directory in case you are protecting dll application.


3. Error code 0x00000005

This is access denied error.

- Be sure to set "Enable access for restricted users" option.

- Application should be installed and activated by user with administrator rights.

- Once it's activated, application can be accessed by any user including restricted users.

4. I got "License file error!" message. What should I do?

License file is probably damaged. You should delete it. Protected application will automatically restore it afterwards.

If this is Windows 9x/Me system and "Check license file position" option is enabled try disabling this option.


5. "Activation code is not defined properly." error message.

Remote protection: this error message is displayed in case activation code contains non-hex characters (other than 0-9 and A-F) or is not properly formatted. Instruct your client to copy/paste activation code in order to avoid typing errors.

back to FAQ index