Vegas 14 license crash

Kit-As-Was wrote on 9/20/2017, 7:50 PM

I'm beginning to conclude that despite what Magix claims Vegas 14 requires periodic validation to work. For the second time in as many days it crashed and closed with a message saying that I had no license to run the program. Of course when I look at the about tab it shows that the product is licensed and displays the serial number. It seems it must be crashing because it is trying to phone home and can't get through my firewall. If I can't get this issue resolved I'll be considering legal action. I bought Vegas 14 on the basis that it did not require periodic activation to keep working, this seems not to be the case. I'm annoyed and frustrated and Magix support appears lacking.

Comments

Kinvermark wrote on 9/20/2017, 8:26 PM

If I can't get this issue resolved I'll be considering legal action.

 

I seriously doubt that, but please by all means thrash away :)

Kit-As-Was wrote on 9/21/2017, 9:37 AM

So you aren't concerned that Vegas 14 was sold under false pretences?

Kinvermark wrote on 9/21/2017, 10:39 AM

No I am not.

If you are, that's fine, but please drop the idle threats. It doesn't help your cause.

 

Kit-As-Was wrote on 9/21/2017, 6:12 PM

Out of curiosity do you own Vegas 14? I can understand your lack of concern if you don't but wonder why you wouldn't be concerned if you do. I wasn't making a threat. I was attempting to indicate my level of frustration. Imagine pressing save or render and having the program disappear in front of your eyes. I'd like to know if anyone else has had such trouble for such a reason. Cheers.

Former user wrote on 9/21/2017, 6:47 PM

4. License verification

Individual MAGIX Product licenses have to be validated periodically. This ensures that the original Software is being used and that it is being used according to the license terms and conditions. This requires an Internet connection.

 

http://www.vegascreativesoftware.com/us/eula/consumer/

Kit-As-Was wrote on 9/21/2017, 7:21 PM

Not according to the FAQ by Nick Hope that links to this post by MAGIX_Eric D. I've also received email assurances from Magix support that Vegas 14 doesn't require periodic validation, but direct experience seems to contradict this.

Kinvermark wrote on 9/21/2017, 8:23 PM

@Kit-As-Was

Yes, I own Vegas 14. No, still not worried.

You have assurances in writing so safe to assume this is not a EULA licensing issue, and does not require a commercial / legal solution. It's a technical problem (and presumably fairly rare). So best to work with Magix tech support. I can empathize with your frustration, but patience is the best option.

Former user wrote on 9/21/2017, 9:09 PM

That is an FAQ, I copied and pasted the actual EULA.

 

11.1 This agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties regarding the contract purpose. Collateral agreements shall not exist. No verbal or written statements made by MAGIX or any MAGIX employee can alter or question the validity of this license agreement.

Kinvermark wrote on 9/21/2017, 9:34 PM

No that it matters, as this is a tech issue, but don't believe everything you read, even in a contract. If a Magix employee tells you something in writing, then you have reasonable cause to accept it as true and act accordingly.

Former user wrote on 9/21/2017, 10:07 PM

OK. Except when you accepted the EULA, it was not a comment from a Magix employee, but the linked contract. (which says that a comment from an employee does not supersede this contract)

Kit-As-Was wrote on 9/21/2017, 10:15 PM

I hope this is a technical issue. As regards the eula that is not the basis on which Vegas 14 was originally sold. If Vegas 15 requires periodic validation then I won't be upgrading. That makes it virtual ransomware in my book.

Former user wrote on 9/21/2017, 10:20 PM

I hope it is technical as well. And after following both links, there are actually 2 versions of the EULA, the one I posted specifically says that phone home is necessary, the other is more vague about contact.

Kit-As-Was wrote on 9/22/2017, 12:16 AM

I hope it is technical as well. And after following both links, there are actually 2 versions of the EULA, the one I posted specifically says that phone home is necessary, the other is more vague about contact.

I wonder if someone from Magix could offer clarification about Vegas 15. But then if the original eula you quoted is in force such clarification is mute. And if one can't rely on what Magix employees say what is there to rely on? How to purchase in safety?

EricLNZ wrote on 9/22/2017, 3:12 AM

It appears the monthly 'phone home' occurs when the serial number starts with P3 and this is probably the case with all recent Magix Vegas products. The situation has probably changed since EricD made his comment. It would be nice if Magix could clarify especially as we have two EULAs (as david-tu mentioned), the Magix one and the Magix Vegas version.

Kit-As-Was wrote on 9/22/2017, 3:31 AM

Mine does start with P3 so it looks like I've been sold a pig in a poke. What do the serial numbers for the genuine, full versions start with? Thanks.

EricLNZ wrote on 9/22/2017, 4:33 AM

I cannot comment on Vegas Pro as I'm a Vegas MS user. My genuine full versions of MS14 Platinum and DVDA7 both start with P3.

Kit-As-Was wrote on 11/7/2017, 5:55 PM

Gary Rebholz opened a ticket for me on October 2th. Below are the email exchanges that followed. For those who want a summary basically Support asked me to install Vegas in the hidden admin account without fully explaining why or answering my questions. Dates are given in International time format and I skipped the salutations.

2017-10-24 Magix:

Lets have you install the application to the hidden administrator profile for troubleshooting purposes.

Windows comes with a hidden administrator account which must first be enabled.
To do so:
1. Type "Command Prompt" into Windows search or Cortana
2. right-click on the Command Prompt result that appears and choose "Run as administrator"
3. After the command prompt opens, type: net user administrator /active:yes
4. Double check to make sure the command is entered correctly and hit Enter on your keyboard.
5. After running this command, the prompt will respond with: command completed successfully
6. Switch to the administrator account by clicking control+alt+delete, then click switch user, and choose Administrator.
7. Install and activate your VEGAS application onto this profile.

2017-10-25 My reply:

Thanks for your email. May I ask the reason for using the hidden Admin account? I need Vegas 14 to work on my standard user account. I have two accounts on my machine, a standard user account and an admin account and I'm running Windows 7 64 bit. When I activated Vegas the first time I used my admin account. When I received the messages mentioned in the thread I found that if I allow Vegas to connect home using my standard account the messages go away for a while. I understand that Vegas 14 should do nothing if it can't connect to the internet and not lock up the program.

2017-10-25 Magix:

Thank you for your message.

The hidden administrator account is often used to troubleshoot issues where an unexpected result occurs. If the activation system is denying access, this does not normally result in a crash. If that app is crashing, that indicates there is something else happening above and beyond the activation system denying access.

When using a VEGAS product, if an error occurs, a PRS Problem Reporting Service window will appear. To send that error report to VEGAS support, place a check in the box to show problem details, then hold down control and shift on your keyboard while clicking send. This will cause the report to be zipped and a message will appear alerting you to where this report exists on your hard drive. You may then attach the report to your support ticket.

2017-10-26 My reply:

Thanks for the reply,Eric. I have never seen a PRS window for Vegas when I get the "no license" messages. Is there a way to generate a PRS log when they occur? Do you agree that the "no service" messages are caused by Vegas because it is trying to connect to the internet and finds that it can't.

2017-10-27 Magix:

Thank you for your message.

You have been claiming VEGAS crashes each time this issue occurs. When VEGAS crashes, a PRS window appears and allows you to send the error details onto us using the directions provided in the previous response.

If VEGAS is *not* crashing each time this issue occurs, please describe the behavior which does occur, including any specific error messages you encounter, so we can better assist you.

2017-10-27 My reply:

OK, I will describe what happens. Typically, I open up a file I have been working on. Work on it and then press save. I get a pop-up message (Vegas License Error Save.png). Vegas then closes and my work is lost. There is no other message from Vegas or PRS window. The same happens if I try to render an open file. If I try to open a new file I get the pop-up message (Vegas License Error Save.png) and then Vegas closes. So Vegas will open an existing file and let me work on it but it will not let me save any changes or render the file or open a new file. When I try do do any ot those actions Vegas gives me the pop-up messages and closes. I see this forced closing as a crash but my apologies if the term is not accurate. If I allow Vegas to connect through to the internet using either "Run as administrator mode" or normal mode using my standard account the pop-ups go away and Vegas continues to work until the next time. It seems to be doing this at least once a month. So how can I get Vegas to work continually offline? Would you agree that the "No license" pop-ups are caused because Vegas finds it can't connect to the internet?

2017-10-28 Magix:

Thank you for your message.

This can happen if VEGAS does not have access to its own activation system, which is in large part why we recommend installing to hidden admin for troubleshooting purposes. If the activation happens correctly the software itself does not need to go online again on a per launch basis.

2017-10-28 My reply:

Please explain to me how installing Vegas on the hidden admin account will help rectify this problem. The problem is not occurring every time I launch Vegas. It happens about once or twice a month. If I look in the about panel Vegas tells me the product is licensed and shows the key. I can send a screenshot if you like. Where is the activation system exactly?

I haven't received a further reply. That was 10 days ago. If I do I'll update this thread.