What's with the maximum activations thing?

from Stardock Forums
I have windowblinds installed in my desktop and laptop. I NEVER had an issue with activation. Everytime I update my laptop with the zipped archive from my desktop I am asked to "activate" the progame. No problem. I comply. Now, I am told I have reached the maximum activations and now WindowBlinds 4.9x will not run. Anyone?:(
8,971 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think this is to keep hackers out. You might email Stardock, they'll be able to fix it fer ya.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I ran into the same issue.

It is an anti-piracy function, and contacting Stardock with your e-mail address (the one you used to install SDC with), and your serial number - they will verify the information and set things straight, as indicated by Scorpio.

Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I ran in to the same issue with Roboform, and (multiplicity). Activations processes like this are absolute hell for honest people that format their hard drive frequently. I wish there were at least an ONLINE method of resetting your activations which would achieve instant results.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
A necessary evil brought about by restricting piracy.  As with most/all forms it can lead to frustrations for the legitimate customer....but it's worse for the pirate....[which is a good thing [tm]] ...
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Phoon, pardon my french, but if you are formatting and reinstalling your OS and apps from scratch frequently, you need to catch up with the times. Buy a copy of Acronis TrueImage or Symantec Ghost or a similar solution if you absolutely _must_ have a "fresh" install on a frequent basis.

Or if not one of the imaging solutions above, most any modern backup program that'll backup and restore the OS, which will enable any of the activation-enabled apps from Stardock to continue to work.

I know the limits on the activation, I'm the one who's edited the files to set them. I know when someone can run into them, given how much I install our software for testing.

I also watch when a new build goes up and suddenly there's a spate of failed activations from a serial that was bought with a stolen credit card and posted on a website. We always knew there was a lot of piracy, as we've had other systems in the past to at least make it more difficult to get the latest version of something with an older pirated build. But when you see it happening literally in real time?

Email support from the address you ordered under and they'll sort it for you. Same goes for you, Goose40. You're installing the betas on one machine and restoring on another. When there are multiple builds in a short period of time, you're going to trigger the flags.

We're not Symantec or others with the "one PC and never ever elsewhere" sort of thing. The system is built to have lots of leeway, but it is not going to be going away. If there is an issue, please contact support and they can sort it.

Unless they find a dozen different machines trying to activate every 3 minutes. In which case... uh... no.

Kris

 

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Nakor: A lot of us here, it seems, do a lot of software testing. I do myself. When testing software to see if it is stable, you can't really have a full system, packed with all kinds of conflicting or memory using software. Luckily, I have not run into this "Maximum Activation" problem, but I anticipate it happening soon.

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
When testing software to see if it is stable, you can't really have a full system, packed with all kinds of conflicting or memory using software


THANK YOU scorpio-logic! That is exactly my case.
Nakor, I do use Ghost, however my Ghost image is made with a CLEAN Windows installation, updated and Anti-Virus software installed. That is it. I don't want other software in my image as you never know what software may be causing a problem / conflict with something else.
I understand the Activation process and I also understand the need. I don't argue with that. What I do have a problem with is submitting the emails, waiting, re-installing the application only to have the the application STILL fail. Having to call tech support, having it fail again.. on and on and on. It has happened to me with Multiplicity, twice.
The first time, SD Tech support was very helpful (once I actually got someone on the phone). I own 2 copies of MP Pro. The second time I had to use the serial number of the first one to get it installed.
I am sure stardock has the ability to have a secure online re-activation process put in place to alleviate the bulk of these legit customer frustrations. If we are forced to call tech support only to receive a recording, and or wait for a response via email to activate a product we have purchased then we may choose to find alternative products, or simply do without.