Skip to content
Ask A Question
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Resolved: TOP Server 5.20,5.21 and 6.0-6.9 Hardware Key/Dongle Related issue with Windows 10 Build 19041,19042 (2004, 20H2 Releases)

This FAQ addresses resolutions that were released in December 2020 for issues that any user considering updating to Windows 10 Build 19041 (2004) and Build 19042 (20H2) should consider to ensure their TOP Server software is compatible.

From July 2020, an incompatibility created through Microsoft updates, was discovered due to updates in Windows 10 Build 19041 (2004) and Build 19042 (20H2) affecting the third-party Aladdin HASP drivers used for hardware key license/dongle support in TOP Server Versions 5.20, 5.21, and 6.0 through 6.9  These drivers that are an option in the TOP Server install, are used only for hardware key license/dongle support.  These drivers are however not unique to TOP Server but used in many other software vendor solutions worldwide. It is also important to note that the impact of this Windows issue appears to impact third-party aksfridge.sys and aksdf.sys driver versions other than the versions Microsoft originally published. 
This FAQ addresses resolutions that were released in December 2020 for these issues and provides cautions that any user considering updating to Windows 10 Build 19041 (2004) and Build 19042 (20H2) should consider to ensure their TOP Server software is compatible. Fortunately Microsoft did put in blocks to OS upgrades on affected systems, but that only helps you if you are upgrading the OS. Their action does not help you if you attempt to install an affected version of TOP Server on an unpatched, affected OS.
Whether you use hardware keys or not now, users should review this FAQ and update systems if they think that they may in the future ever switch to hardware key licensing.

Affected Versions of TOP Server

  • 5.20.x
  • 5.21.x
  • 6.0.x to 6.6.x
  • 6.7.1046.0 and 6.7.1054.0
  • 6.8.796.0 and 6.8.797.0
  • 6.9.572.0

Affected OS builds:

  • Windows 10 Build 19041 (2004 Release - April 2020)
  • Windows 10 Build 19042 (20H2 Release - October 2020)

Warnings & Suggested Actions:

See Background below for full details
  • Users of affected versions who are using the TOP Server Hardware Key should NOT upgrade to Windows 10 Build 19041 (2004 Release - April 2020) Build 19042 (20H2 Release - October 2020) without first updating to a supported version of TOP Server as described below. 
  • Users of affected versions but NOT using a TOP Server Hardware Key, should still strongly consider updating to a supported version based on their company change-management and upgrade policy. This will remove the risk of a system administrator later installing the hardware key drivers on an affected system that could result in an inoperable system as described in the background below. 
  • Although Microsoft did eventually patch their affected OS's, we still strongly recommend users run a current version of TOP Server to insure they have the latest security updates, including resolutions to CISA reported vulnerabilities in December 2020

Resolution:

Updated installation sets were released in December 2020 for Versions 6.7 through 6.9 listed below, and versions after 6.9 automatically also include the updated Aladdin/HASP drivers. If you are running one of the versions below or a newer version, then you are not at risk for the issue described in the background/history part of this FAQ.
  • 6.9.584.0
  • 6.8.840.0
  • 6.7.1068.0

Users of TOP Server 5.20.x, 5.21.x, 6.0.x through 6.6.x 

  • Update to a supported version 6.7 or newer, which will require that your licenses be on an active support agreement. See details below for how to determine your license status. 
  • If you are not sure, please make a screenshot of the TOP Server License Utility (either in the Start Menu or by right-clicking on the TOP Server Administration system tray icon) showing your Activation IDs and open a support ticket by clicking Ask A Question at top of this page. 
  • If you attempt to upgrade a system that is NOT on an active support agreement, you will receive a warning that your system will revert into 2 hour demo mode. You are responsible to stop if this change would affect operations and production. 

Users of Version 6.7 through 6.9 should update using the procedure below

  • Determine or Confirm your current support/maintenance status in the TOP Server License Utility (either in the Start Menu or by right-clicking on the TOP Server Administration system tray icon) on any affected system.  
  • We also recommend backing up your TOP Server project prior to updating.
  • For a "Support End Date" in the future, you are eligible for the current version but can download and install either of those three updated releases.  
  • For a "Support End Date" in the past, first consider have you applied any prior support renewals that you paid for? If you did not apply the updates to those system, you may be operating on old information. Otherwise, you will need to determine if you are eligible to obtain Version 6.7, 6.8, or 6.9, using the process below: 
    • Visit https://www.softwaretoolbox.com/topserverv6/oldversionsrequestform.html
    • Compare your "Support End Date" to the dates listed for each entry in the "Version of TOP Server Requested" drop-down menu
    • If the date listed is older than your "Support End Date" for 6.7.6.8, or 6.9,
      • Then your license is eligible for the newest version whose release date is before your "Support End Date"
      • Complete the form and download the selected version.
      • If during installation you are warned that your system will revert to 2 hour demo mode, stop and reconfirm the dates and version you downloaded. If you need to contact us please provide a full screenshot of your TOP Server License Utility showing your Activation IDs so that we can access them in our license database and assist you.
      • Failure to provide sufficient detail will delay our ability to resolve any issues.
    • If the date listed is newer than your "Support End Date",
      • Your license is only eligible for versions older than 6.7, so you will not able to resolve this issue without reinstating your support agreement. 
      • Please contact us for a quote to reinstate your support/maintenance agreement to become eligible for the latest version to apply the resolution to this issue. The more detail you can provide the better, so that we can access your license records.

Background/Issue History: 

This information is provided for historic purposes and to provide further details on the impacts failure to update systems could cause. Users are recommended to follow the advice above to update their systems. 
There were two problematic scenarios involving installation of the affected versions of TOP Server hardware key/dongle drivers and Windows 10 Build 19041 (2004 Release - April 2020) Build 19042 (20H2 Release - October 2020):
  1. When the TOP Server hardware drivers are selected and installed on a computer and that computer is then updated to Windows 10 Build 19041 (2004 Release - April 2020) or to Build 19042 (20H2 Release - October 2020), the update process will fail with a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) details referencing the 3rd party aksfridge.sys or aksdf.sys drivers, after which the update will be rolled back. In rare scenarios (where Windows Update is unable to rollback the update) a computer may enter an unbootable state.
  2. On computers already running Windows 10 Build 19041 (2004) or Build 19042 (20H2) attempting to install TOP Server with the hardware key drivers will also result in a Blue Screen of Death and an incomplete/partial TOP Server installation. It is important to note that by default, TOP Server does NOT install these hardware key drivers, as most users use our software based licensing mechanism. So you would have to choose the drivers or have chosen "Everything" in order to install them. 
Risk Management Steps: In response to this issue, Microsoft Windows Updates did actively scan for the affected files and is blocked automatic updates to Windows 10 Build 19041 and build 19042 as an interim protective step.  Once Microsoft fixed the issue through updates on their side, they released the updates; however, if your system is not current on all Windows updates, we provided these cautions to users:
  1. Do NOT upgrade any systems already running TOP Server (if the hardware licensing drivers were ever installed) to Windows 10 Build 19041 or Build 19042. Even if you uninstall, the drivers may not be removed as these drivers are used by 1000's of other software applications that offer hardware key licensing. 
  2. If you are using a TOP Server hardware key for licensing, it is imperative that you do NOT upgrade to Windows 10 Build 19041 or Build 19042.
  3. Do NOT install TOP Server hardware key support on any existing Windows 10 Build 19041 or Build 19042 machines. (If you need to use a TOP Server hardware for licensing on a machine with Windows 10 Build 19041 or Build 19042, it is imperative that you roll back the Windows 10 to a version prior to Build 19041, prior to installing TOP Server with hardware key support.)
Failure to follow these warnings either will result in a blue screen system fault and possible operating system instability and boot problems. If you're not sure which version of Windows 10 you're computer currently has installed, click here for details on how to check.

NOTE: No issues have been observed or reported on systems where the TOP Server hardware key drivers are not installed - unless a software application from another vendor has installed them.

REMINDER: TOP Server hardware key support is NOT enabled by default during installation. However, selecting the "Full Installation" option can inadvertently select "Hardware Key" support for installation.  Make sure "Hardware Key" is set to "Entire feature will be unavailable" before proceeding with the TOP Server installation.

 
If you absolutely must upgrade to Windows 10 Build 19041, to avoid the above problems, please first check to verify that the third-party aksdf.sys and aksfridge.sys drivers do not exist on your computer prior to upgrading to Windows 10 Build 19041 or Build 19042.  These files would be found in multiple locations within the C:\Windows\System32 directory if they are present on your computer, and can be installed by software installers/packages other than the TOP Server. If other software is using these drivers and you remove them, you could cause other applications to stop working due to the widespread use of these third-party drivers.