Excellent find !
The HASP dongle is often separated from the software disk and lost over the years or remains plugged into an old PC that is then binned.
I have also had problems with elderly CD’s that have not been stored properly. Some get cracked, others warped and I had one where the whole label side delaminated taking the silvering with it
That disk was not recoverable. It is so frustrating to have a piece of very rare software in your hands and yet be unable to extract it from the media on which it is stored !
With regard to polishing Optical storage disks, I swear by NOVUS polish. It comes in 3 grades of abrasive and is used in the plastics industry as well as restoration companies who deal with plastics restoration. Pinball deck polishing being just one application where NOVUS shines
Well worth having in stock and they used to do a sample size 3 pack that I bought. It lasted forever on the small jobs I undertake. I then bought the normal size as I was so impressed with it. The polish also works on other substrates including car paint
Adam Savage also recommends it and shows its excellent performance on his YouTube channel when polishing a NAGRA 4 Reel to Reel tape recorder clear plastic lid, as well as a “Lost in space” helmet visor.
https://novuspolish.com/RTOOLS was an unusual software package in that it was several separate programs rather than the integrated packages that we are used to using these days. It is such a pity that a useable version of the software has not been released without the software protection but I suppose the rights owner still wants to protect it even though it is long “out of print”.
Enjoy your fully activated RTOOLS…. I am envious of you
Fraser