Intel® FPGA Software Installation & Licensing
Installation and Licensing that’s includes Intel Quartus® Prime software, ModelSim* - Intel FPGA Edition software, Nios® II Embedded Design Suite on Windows or Linux operating systems.

Questa License Issue

ChrisBonser
Beginner
617 Views

I am having difficulty installing a Questa License.  I currently have a license (trial, but plan on purchasing a real license once things are setup), for Quartus .  The Quartus trial license allows me to compile and download to the MitySOM devkit I have.  However, when I try to run the simulator, or the vsim I get this error message:

 

C:\intelFPGA\23.1std\questa_fe\win64>vsim
Unable to checkout a license. Make sure your license file environment variable (SALT_LICENSE_SERVER, MGLS_LICENSE_FILE, LM_LICENSE_FILE)
is set correctly and then run 'lmutil lmdiag' to diagnose the problem.
Unable to checkout a license. Vsim is closing.
** Error: Invalid license environment. Application closing.

 

when I run lmutil lmdiag, it seems everything is ok.  I have tried with multiple licenses as I have an ethernet mac, a wifi mac, and bluetooth mac on this laptop.

 

C:\intelFPGA\23.1std\questa_fe\win64>lmutil lmdiag
lmutil - Copyright (c) 1989-2019 Flexera. All Rights Reserved.
FlexNet diagnostics on Thu 2/27/2025 15:42

-----------------------------------------------------
License file: c:\intelFPGA\LR-221392_License.dat
-----------------------------------------------------
"intelqsimstarter" v2026.02, vendor: mgcld, expiry: 27-feb-2026
vendor_string: 2F00DB8C
uncounted nodelocked license, locked to ethernet address "d03957099128" starts: 27-feb-2025, expires: 27-feb-2026

This is the correct node for this node-locked license
-----------------------------------------------------

Enter <CR> to continue:
"intelqsimstarter" v2026.02, vendor: mgcld, expiry: 27-feb-2026
vendor_string: 2F00DB8C
uncounted nodelocked license, locked to ethernet address "d03957099128" starts: 27-feb-2025, expires: 27-feb-2026

This is the correct node for this node-locked license
-----------------------------------------------------

Enter <CR> to continue:
"intelqsimstarter" v2026.02, vendor: mgcld, expiry: 27-feb-2026
vendor_string: 2F00DB8C
uncounted nodelocked license, locked to ethernet address "d03957099128" starts: 27-feb-2025, expires: 27-feb-2026

This is the correct node for this node-locked license
-----------------------------------------------------

Enter <CR> to continue:
"intelqsimstarter" v2026.02, vendor: mgcld, expiry: 27-feb-2026
vendor_string: 2F00DB8C
uncounted nodelocked license, locked to ethernet address "d03957099128" starts: 27-feb-2025, expires: 27-feb-2026

This is the correct node for this node-locked license
-----------------------------------------------------

Labels (1)
0 Kudos
8 Replies
ShengN_Intel
Employee
575 Views

Hi,


Make sure you have follow the steps in this document https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/docs/programmable/683472/22-1/and-software-license.html:

On Windows System

  1. Go to This PC, right-click, and select Properties.
  2. Click Advanced System Setting.
  3. In the Advanced tab, select Environment Variable.
  4. Under System variables, create a new variable with the name as LM_LICENSE_FILE and value as <license.dat file path>.
  5. Click OK and restart the Questa* software.

Alternatively, open a command prompt and run the following command to set up the LM_LICENSE_FILE environment variable:

setx LM_LICENSE_FILE <path_to_license_file>;%LM_LICENSE_FILE%



On Linux System

Run one of the following commands in a command prompt window:

export LM_LICENSE_FILE=<path to license>:$LM_LICENSE_FILE

setenv LM_LICENSE_FILE "<path_to_license_file>"




0 Kudos
ChrisBonser
Beginner
556 Views

Yes,

I had already done that.

 

ChrisBonser_0-1740754800972.png

 

0 Kudos
ShengN_Intel
Employee
540 Views

Hi,


I test from my side without problem. Could you try to re-generate the questa Starter edition license?

Also, try to use command setx LM_LICENSE_FILE <path_to_license_file>;%LM_LICENSE_FILE%


Thanks,

Regards,

Sheng


0 Kudos
ShengN_Intel
Employee
537 Views

Hi,


Forgot to mention try to put LM_LICENSE_FILE variable in User variables for cbons.


0 Kudos
ChrisBonser
Beginner
437 Views

Ok,

I have tried your suggestions and still get the same results.

 

I have two projects one from the intel site as a sample application.

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/docs/programmable/703090/21-1/open-the-example-design.html

 

When I run the simulator on this one I get this dialog.

ChrisBonser_0-1741115976963.png

 

I also have another project from the client we are working with (which I can not give much detail for NDA reasons), but when I run the simulator on this project I get this dialog (not sure if this is pre or post the license file).

 

ChrisBonser_1-1741116091411.png

 

This is how I start the simulator, maybe I am just doing something wrong ?

 

ChrisBonser_3-1741116195406.png

 

Thanks,

 

Chris

 

0 Kudos
ShengN_Intel
Employee
413 Views

Hi,


I know your problem. You're using questa_fe, please use questa_fse (starter edition) when installing. I think you're using this license

Questa*-Intel® FPGA Starter Edition (License: SW-QUESTA)

The trial license only works for starter edition.


Thanks,

Regards,

Sheng


0 Kudos
ShengN_Intel
Employee
360 Views

Hi,


May I know do you have any further concern?


Thanks,

Regards,

Sheng


0 Kudos
ChrisBonser
Beginner
332 Views

At this point we can close this one.  I will open other tickets up as necessary.


Thank you.

0 Kudos
Reply