Autodata 345 The Hardware Information Does Not Match With Your Dongle Top -
1. Revert to original hardware
If you still have the old hardware (especially the motherboard/drive), put it back in the original PC. The software should work again.
2. Contact AutoData support for license transfer
Most dongle-protected software allows license transfers, often requiring:
3. Reinstall/update dongle drivers
4. Try the dongle on a different USB port
Rarely, USB 3.0 vs 2.0 port changes can affect hardware ID enumeration. Try USB 2.0 ports.
5. Restore from a system image
If you have a full system backup from before the hardware change, restore it to the same machine (if the hardware change was minor like RAM or GPU, it might still work). For workshop owners
Autodata 3.45 was designed for older operating systems (Windows XP and Windows 7). Running it on Windows 10 or 11 often triggers security blocks that result in dongle mismatches.
The "Autodata 345: the hardware information does not match with your dongle top" error is a frustrating relic of legacy copy protection. It strikes when your computer’s hardware ID no longer matches the ID stored inside your USB dongle – often after a Windows reinstall, a motherboard change, or driver corruption.
While there are several fixes (reinstalling drivers, editing the registry, applying community patches, or disabling USB power management), the most reliable long-term solutions are:
For workshop owners, time is money. Spending hours troubleshooting a 15-year-old software version may cost more than a modern subscription. But if legacy Autodata is your only option, follow the steps in this guide carefully – and always remember to back up your working system before making any changes. corrupting the handshake.
Have you fixed this error using a different method? Share your experience in the comments below (on the original forum post).
It sounds like you're encountering an error message from AutoData 345 (likely a diagnostic or vehicle data software) indicating that the hardware information does not match your dongle.
Here’s what that typically means and how to resolve it:
If you recently upgraded your hard drive or RAM, you can sometimes reverse the error: a motherboard change
Once you fix the error, protect yourself:
| Action | Why it helps |
|--------|---------------|
| Use a powered USB hub | Prevents voltage drops that corrupt dongle communication. |
| Freeze your PC configuration | Document your hardware. Avoid motherboard/HDD changes without deactivating first. |
| Keep a backup activation file | In AutoData, go to Help → License → Backup License. Save the .lic file to cloud storage. |
| Disable automatic driver updates | Windows Update can silently change chipset drivers, triggering Error 345. |
| Run AutoData on a dedicated PC | Isolate it from frequent OS changes. Many shops use a cheap Windows tablet or laptop just for diagnostics. |
Windows may cut power to the dongle, corrupting the handshake.