Can't run DVDA 5.0b on WIn-7 64-bit

gbohn wrote on 12/12/2009, 6:40 PM
Hi;

I finally decided to try Vegas Pro 9/DVDA 5 on my WIndows 7 64-bit system. I installed Vegas-Pro 9.0b, and used the 'Optional Authentication Code' (provided on the product card). method. Vegas 9 seems to start o.k., but asks me to register it every time I start it (The panel starts with "Registration of Vegas 9 requires elevated privileges...").

(But at least it seems to start).

Then I installed DVDA 5.0b, and get to the point where I input the 'Optional Authentication Code' (for DVDA 5), but as soon as I do this the program just goes away. If I start DVDA again, I'm back to the 'Please register DVD Architect Pro 5.0' screen again, and the whole process repeats.

I've checked and rechecked the Authentication code and I can't find any mistake.

I've tried launching the program with 'run as administrator', and still no joy.

This just sucks. I don't get any clue as to what it thinks is wrong, and I don't see any problems in the event log.

Has anyone else seen this problem?

Thanks;

-Greg

Comments

entilza72 wrote on 12/13/2009, 1:25 AM
Hi Greg,

I have the same version and run Win 7 64 bit.

I do not have this trouble, but I did register with the normal code, not the optional extra code.

So assuming there's no problem with your install (always worth reinstalling software when in doubt), I'd have to say the problem may be related to the optional extra code.

Do you have the option of using the normal code?

Cheers,
Jason
gbohn wrote on 12/13/2009, 7:10 AM
Thanks. By the time I posted I had already spent about 6 hours installing, uninstalling (including editing the registry), searching the knowledge-base, etc.

I think I finally figured it out.

My goal was to install the software and make sure everything worked before 'registering'. I saw in the forums that people had (and are having) quite a few problems, so I thought I would download the versions I wanted to install (instead of using the 'old' software on the install DVD and having to update over them).

It seems that is the problem. When I installed the 'latest' download versions, the registration screen didn't display the 'register later' choice. (I noticed that the Installation guide mentioned this option and I assumed that the reason I didn't see it was because of a program bug or change...)

What I was doing was to select 'register on another computer', which was the only other choice presented besides register now. (The installation guide only seems to describe registering immediately, so I didn't know any better).

Today, I started over and tried installing from the DVD. This time I was given a choice for 'Register later'.

Right now I'm restoring my system (from backup), and I'll give this another try, but this time I'll start the initial install from the DVD.

Here's hoping things will turn out better this time around.

:Angry rant on:

This is what really burns me about all this DRM junk. It seems sooner or later, every time I deal with this type of software I end up being burned by it. I get to a point where I'm trying to do exactly what I'm supposed to be allowed to do, but it prevents me because it decides that I must be a crook.

Maybe there's a notice somewhere that says I must use the install DVD if I don't register immediately, but I didn't see it. The installation guide is pretty sparse, and doesn't cover delayed registration (other than mentioning it exists).

(Ironically, I was trying to use delayed registration to make sure I worked out any show-stopper bugs before using up my 'real' registration...)

It doesn't seem unreasonable to have hoped for some type of message explaining why it was going away, instead of just terminating without explanation.

But, I guess their DRM software was a success in one regard. It did effectively prevent me from legally using their software... :-)

:Angry rant off

Sorry for the venting...

-Greg