Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

On this page you find an overview of frequently asked questions and solutions for frequently occurring problems.

Be sure to go to the forum if your question is not answered here.

Product information

Pricing and purchasing information

Upgrade information

Support information

Technical information

How can I use the freeware version?
When you install Password Depot 3 for the first time, it runs as a 30-day test version. After that time, the program automatically changes to freeware mode. More information about freeware mode.
What are the new functions of Password Depot 3?
You can find a complete list of the new functions at What is new?.
Does Password Depot 3 run on a Pocket PC?
No, but a Pocket PC version is projected.
What restrictions does the freeware version have?
Click here for an explanation of the restrictions of the freeware mode.
How can I share my opinion or pose requests for new functions in future releases?
We welcome all your suggestions and ideas! Please send them to support@acebit.com. Our developper staff will take a look at your ideas and integrate them into future releases if possible.
How can I take part in future beta tests?
If you wish to take part in future beta tests please send an email to support@acebit.com.

Pricing and purchasing information

How much is the price of Password Depot?
Password Depot costs only 29 Euro. The upgrade costs just 19 Euro. If you wish to order the product go to the ordering page.
Is there separate pricing for educational institutions?
There is no separate pricing for government or educational institutions.
Can I test Password Depot before purchasing?
You can download the test version, use it for 30 days for free and use it for an indefinite time in freeware mode.

Upgrade information

I already have a version of Password Depot. What are my upgrade options?
For more information on our upgrade options refer to the ordering page.
I recently bought Password Depot 2.x. Do I have to pay the full price for Password Depot 3?
If you bought Password Depot 2 within 30 days after the release of Password Depot 3, you may be entitled to receive a free upgrade. Please send an email including your ordering number to our support team.
I got Password Depot 1.x/2.x for free during a promotion campaign or I have a special edition of Password Depot 1.x/2.x. Do I have the right to uprade this version to Password Depot 3?
No, you don’t. To benefit from the low cost of upgrading, you need to have a purchased license (i.e. an unlock code) for Password Depot 1.x or 2.x.
Does AceBIT offer cross upgrades (for the products of competitors)?
No.

Support information

Why do I have to register my product?
If you register your product your unlock code is stored to our database. That way we can check the number for you at any time. Registered users also benefit from software offers and are informed on time about upgrades or updates of the product.
I have lost my unlock code, how can I retrieve it?
If you have ordered Password Depot and you wish to view your ordering details please contact our customer service. You can also send an email to our support team . Enter your name, address and where applicable the name of your company.
How can I report bugs or errors in the documentation?
If you wish to inform us about bugs or documentation errors or if you wish to send us suggestions or requests for new functions, please send an email to our support team. Our developper staff will review your reports and requests and integrate them into one of the next product releases if possible.
Where do I get help for Password Depot?
On the Documentation page you will find tutorials, the complete user help, and manuals in PDF format.
What is the product activation for?
The activation is done during the unlocking process of the freeware or test version. Your unlock code will be verified and sent to AceBIT along with your e-mail address. You can perform the activation via the Internet. Only the details you have entered during activation will be transmitted to AceBIT. No other data installed or stored on your PC and no details on the manufacturer or the type of your PC or similar information will be transmitted.
Can I install my copy of Password Depot on several computers?
Yes you can install Password Depot on several computers for your own use. However, you are not allowed to hand over your personal license to third parties.

Technical information

How do I unlock the freeware version to the professional version?

Since version 1.6.0.12 the freeware version can be upgraded to the professional version by entering a valid unlock code.

If you are using the freeware version and you wish to purchase the professional version, you only need to enter the unlock code and the software will automatically change to the professional version. Uninstalling the freeware version and installing the professional version is no longer required.

Customers who purchased the professional version before January 12, 2004 please note the following:

After having placed an order you did not receive an unlock code but a link leading to the professional version. You then received an additional email with your unlock code. If you have deleted your unlock code by mistake, you can retrieve it from our customer service at any time.

You can also send an email to support@acebit.com to ask for your unlock code.

Please ensure that you use version 1.6.0.12 (or later). You will find your version number under Help/About

If you use an earlier version than version 1.6.0.12, uninstall it and download the current version from our website. Unlock this version to professional version by using your unlock code.

My password list is damaged. How can I access my passwords?

Password Depot automatically backs up your password list.

You can restore your password list by opening the backup copy using your master password and saving it again.

Choose file type .bck and click Open.

Then save the backup copy in the desired directory. When restarting Password Depot, use this newly created password list.

Can I use the freeware verion for free in a commercial enterprise?

Yes.

How safe are my password in Password Depot?

Password Depot encrypts your data using the Rijndael 256-bit algorithm. You can only access your passwords by using your master password. There is no other way to access your password list.

If you remove a password from the password list, it will be removed irrevocably from you hard disk, without leaving any traces.

Without the master password, even we as the program creators cannot access your passwords.

My provider does not accept the password generated by Password Depot.

Providers often have default guidelines concerning allowable character types and the number of characters allowed.

In the Password Generator you can set the maximum number of characters as well as the type of characters to be used (letters, numbers, special characters, upper/lowercase).

After installing SP2 on Windows XP I cannot start my program at all. What might be the reason for this?

The reason probably is that the Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is activated on your machine and does not allow to execute the program. All our programs use anti-hacking protection technologies which cause the DEP to block the execution of these programs.

We will modify our programs so that the next versions will be compatible with DEP.

As workaround in the meantime we recommend the following:
 
1.) Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel and select System.
2.) On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.
3.) On the Data Execution Prevention tab, select Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select and add Password Depot to the list of programs.
 
For more details refer to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875352

Installation fails (InstallShield error message "error: -5005").
This error typically occurs under certain circumstances on machines that have Terminal Services enabled, like Windows 2003 Server systems. To solve this problem you should update your installed InstallShield software. These updates and further information about this issue can be found here: http://support.installshield.com/kb/view.asp?articleid=Q111253
After the trial period expired, I can no longer open my password file .

When the trial period of 30 days for Password Depot has expired and the program switches to Freeware mode, the user is prompted to select a password file to use as default (in Freeware mode only one file is allowed). That dialog box with the prompt is shown only once and if you missed that opportunity to select a default password file you may need to select the default file manually.

The default password file in Freeware mode must always fulfill the following conditions:

1) Have the name Password Depot.psw
2) Be located at the directory <My Documents>\Password Depot 3\Passwords\

In order to establish your default password file manually, please do the following:

1) Close Password Depot 3 if it is running.
2) In Windows Explorer locate a .psw file you want to use as default.
3) Rename your file to Password Depot.psw.
4) Copy that file to the directory
<My Documents>\Password Depot 3\Passwords\.
5) Restart Password Depot 3.