S/N Problem Opening .dar file from explorer but OK From within DAS

staggart wrote on 12/11/2004, 2:04 PM
I am having a strange S/N problem with DAS. If I open the app by double-clicking directly on the app and then open a .dar file, everything works fine. If, however, I double-click directly on a .dar file from the Windows explorer, I get a dialog box asking me to enter my S/N (which I have already done months ago). So, I enter my S/N which starts with an "HD" and click next and the program says I entered "an invalid s/n for DVD Architect 2.0, please enter one starting with HB". So, why does it want one starting with HB when my manual has one that starts with HD? And why does it open the app fine when I start it manually?

Thanks,

Scott

Comments

ScottW wrote on 12/11/2004, 2:44 PM
It sounds like you installed DVD Architect 2.0 on your system and it re-associated the .DAR files with it, overriding the association for DVDAS. If you know how to use regedit you can fix this in your registry, but it would probably be easier (and less dangerous) to de-install DVDA 2.0, DVDAS and re-install just DVDAS.
staggart wrote on 12/11/2004, 10:01 PM
OK, I figured it out (text below the ----- line below is what I posted earlier). I accidently got the DVD Architect update (not knowing the difference between DVDA and DVDAS). I guess when I installed the DVDA update that re-did the file associations and caused me the confusion. I removed DVDA and re-associated the .dar files and I am closer. I still have one problem. That is when I double-click on the .dar file, it brings up DVDAS fine but DVDAS comes up with the blank, untitled project instead of my .dar project.... I have to manually open the .dar file in DVDAS...

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OK, now I admit COMPLETE confusion!!! I never noticed the subtle difference in the names "DVD Architect" and "DVD Architect Studio". I guess I do have both of them installed, and, as you say, the association is incorrect (easily enough fixed right from the explorer by doing "open with..."). Please explain to me how I even got both these installed? I think I just installed Movie Studio+DVD and DVD Architect Studio. Does the former install DVD Architect only? Man, that's not obvious.

Now, it's even weirder - I have the association correct so that double-clicking on the .dar file open DVAS but it comes up with the blank "Untitled" template - so, I don't get the S/N error but I still have to manually open the .dar file. Strange.
Chienworks wrote on 12/12/2004, 3:29 AM
Well, it's unlikely you installed DVD Architect without knowing it. DVD Architect Studio is included with Vegas Studio 4 for $100 (or a $30 upgrade from Movie Studio 3). DVD Architect 2 (without "Studio" in the name) is part of the Vegas 5 + DVD production suite for $799.95 (or a $249.95 upgrade from Vegas 4). How much did you spend for your serial number?

I suppose it is possible that you downloaded the trial of the full version and installed it. Since it was only a trial version you wouldn't have registered it and that would explain why it keeps asking for a serial number.

In case you're wondering, SONY sells two versions of most of their media software: a full "Pro" version and a cheaper, watered down "Studio" version. It might help save some confusion if they put "Pro" in all the names of the full versions.
staggart wrote on 12/12/2004, 9:24 AM
Yeah, that's what happened - I went to the download page and saw DVD Architect there and thought it was an update to DVD Architect Studio (my ignorance). I downloaded it and installed it and the names look so familiar that I thought I had broken DVDAS.
on30trainman wrote on 12/14/2004, 7:34 PM
Don't feel bad - I did exactly the same thing just now. Thought it was an update to DVDAS - I had just updated my new copy of Movie Studio. The very similar names are confusing. Guess there are no updates to DVDAS. Did a search on DVDAS updates and got to this thread.