All licenses are stored in hardware. winIDEA must be connected to the
specific hardware to find the license. This error can show up only when BlueBox hardware is used to store the license.
Select the right hardware type from the drop-down menu in Hardware | Hardware | Hardware Type dialog.
Select the communication port (USB or TCP/IP) you are using and test if communication between the BlueBox and winIDEA is working in Hardware > Hardware > Communication.
If you are using a USB communication port and have more than one BlueBox device connected to your PC, select the correct Device from the drop-down menu in Hardware > Hardware > Communication.
BlueBox System is selected by default as a debug module. If you are using an Active Probe, select Active Probe in Debug > Configure Session > SoCs.
1. Close the newer winIDEA.
2. Power-cycle the BlueBox.
3. Open the older winIDEA.
4. Perform a Hardware > Debugger Hardware > Communication > Test. You should get the message Reprogramming emulator.
Between the two winIDEA versions, there are often differences in the bitstream on the BlueBox, and winIDEA attempts to update it before initiating communication. Bitstreams get updated with the new winIDEA, but they are not reverted to the old winIDEA.
The license dialog is located under Hardware > (Hardware) > License.