I am using National Instruments NIVI serial driver for use in writing my own device controllers using Microsoft Visual Studio 2017 for my at home devices. I have been using the software since 2015 without issue until I recently updated the drivers by downloading them (rather than through an update) while developing a new Visual Studio application. Since that time – during the evaluation period – I was able to successfully develop and deploy this new application. However, once the 7 day evaluation period expired on Dec 2, I have been getting license errors during the software builds until I extended the evaluation period. I was under the impression that the software was free for home users but have been unable to activate the appropriate license due to the lack of a NI product serial number. I anticipate this issue reoccurring at the end of the extended evaluation period.
I seem to recall having to contact an Applications Engineer to "activate" the free development software back in 2015 when I originally started using the VISA driver software . Looks as if I need to repeat the process for the current update. How do I go about this activation process for home use without buying a license? Essentially developing software under my previously free license to use.
