Onward and upward

soundhouse wrote on 12/10/2002, 4:16 PM
After close to six years on my Gateway 233mhz, it's time for a serious upgrade. Most anyday now, I will be receiving a new P4 2.53 ghz daw from advancedesign. My studio is Mackie 32/8 running to a Mackie Mdr. I've used SoundForge, CD archetec, and Vegas audio for the past few years, mainly for editing and inhouse mastering, but I am moving toward the daw for more speed and mixing capibility. My question is this: What is the proper precedure for moving my Sonicfoundry applications from my present Win98 sys to the new sys with WindowsXP home edition? I've tried the email tech support route since last Thur when I ordered the new pc but no answer as of yet. I've had the new version of CD Archetec on order since Thanksgiving and after buying SF top of the line applications over the past few years, it kind of grates to have to call a 1-900 number and pay to ask a simple question about how to interface their product. I will appreciate any advice and help you veteran users may offer up and as I become more adept as a daw user, hopefully I can recipricate the time and effort in the future. Thanks.

Comments

David_Kuznicki wrote on 12/10/2002, 10:41 PM
Are you just looking for new registration numbers? If so, call customer service (ie: the SoFo sales line). I know it's an 800 number-- they've always been helpful when I've had registration number issues in the past. They'll issue you a new one.

BUT MAKE SURE TO HAVE YOUR NEW COMPUTER SET UP FIRST! They will ask for the computer ID number. After that, they should have you up and running in no time.
They're a pretty good bunch o' people.

David.
soundhouse wrote on 12/11/2002, 6:00 AM
David,
Thanks for the reply. So to move my SF applications to another platform, you install the programs like you normally would, then apply for another license key? The only reason I asked is because I have worked with some programs that require an uninstall precedure before you can reinstall it on another system. I'm just trying to have everything ready when the new system gets here. Thanks again.
Mike
David_Kuznicki wrote on 12/11/2002, 11:04 AM
As memory serves (and forgive me if I'm wrong), but you don't have to uninstall first. Not, of course, that SoFo would encourage you to keep the program on the first computer!

I believe that you have to install the programs with the old serial number (again, I might be wrong), then call SoFo for a new one... otherwise the programs will ultimately time out after a week, or whatever the registration period ends. I don't recall off the top of my head.

But again, I'm sure that SoFo will happily walk you through the procedure, and make it as painless as possible. You'll definately have to talk to them & explain your situation; if you do it on-line, I imagine that you'll get the infamous 'too many registrations' error.

I HOPE this helps! I haven't switched computers myself (yet), and out of all the SoFo products I've ever bought, I've only had one registration problem-- I didn't recieve an activation code for Noise Reduction when I registered on line. SoFo was very quick to help...

David.

vanblah wrote on 12/11/2002, 12:01 PM
As long as you haven't registered the product over and over in a short amount of time, you can register online with the "old" serial number on the new computer.

I have moved the installations to three different computers in the last two years and have never had a problem.
MyST wrote on 12/11/2002, 12:33 PM
I switched from WinME to XPhome and just re-intalled. When I first started my programs(Acid Pro, VV3, SF6.0), the screen asks for the serial number, I just entered my serial numbers, and registered via internet, and that was it.
I even had a problem where I had to change my system hard-drive, and re-install XP from scratch 2 more times. Each time I just re-installed, entered my serial number and that was it.

M

PS: SoFo doesn't mind you having the software installed on two different PCs, as long as they are for your own personal use. This situation, however, you need to get in touch with them. That way you can explain the circumstances (ex, a PC at home and one at the cottage, but you want Vegas on both).
drbam wrote on 12/11/2002, 1:42 PM
<<I switched from WinME to XPhome and just re-intalled. When I first started my programs(Acid Pro, VV3, SF6.0), the screen asks for the serial number, I just entered my serial numbers, and registered via internet, and that was it.
I even had a problem where I had to change my system hard-drive, and re-install XP from scratch 2 more times. Each time I just re-installed, entered my serial number and that was it.>>

Yes, and in my opinion, SoFo certainly is racking some very good karma related to this! I can't say enough about how much I appreciate their policy regarding reinstalls. I absolutely hate the ridiculous copy protection schemes some of the manufactuers employ and I think those approaches actually backfire because I know a some folks who will resort to using cracks just to say "f**k you" to these companies (and not because they can't afford to pay for the license). . . they're just making a point. I know I've been tempted occasionally to do the same but for now I'd rather keep my karma clean. ;-)

drbam
soundhouse wrote on 12/12/2002, 11:19 AM
Thanks for all the good advice. Now if that new pc will just arrive.
Mike