-
Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
This is the third time I have been locked out of accessing Xara DP11since I upgraded to this version in May. Reason for lockout stated is that computer hardware has been changed. This has been installed on the same laptop and desktop since upgrade and they both show on the Xara site with the correct description, i.e, with nothing changed, and yet it claims that the listed computers are activated. Well if that were true how come I cannot access Xara on one of them? It will not permit me to deactivate any of them for 30 days, and even if I could there is no guarantee that I would be able to reactivate on the same computer. I am writing this from my office where I have been trying unsuccessfully to modify an existing file for a client. I do have the other computer at my house but that is 50 miles away. My customer is p*ssed and so am I.
I reverted back to Adobe for new files after the previous inactivation hassle but still need Xara for existing files. I know this board takes a dim view of anyone daring to criticize Xara but I don't know how they stay in business as there must be a lot of people like me who feel if they have paid for a product that they should be entitled to use it. Of course I have emailed Xara and from my past experience they will take nearly a week to resolve the issue.
In the meantime I should be grateful is anyone here reading this can suggest a way around this. After posting this I will try downloading a trial version using a different name and see if that will work. I'm guessing it will respond with your trial is up?
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Hi Phill
This sounds totally annoying. I think the best best is to submit a support ticket at http://support.xara.com/ Something is not working here (duh!) and support is the best option to getting this issue resolved. That said, as this is Christmas week, I think next week would be a better time to submit the ticket.
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
No worries from me, Phil. I think the new scheme for copy protection sucks even if I haven't had any issues. I think at minimum the phone home in order to use the software for an extended period off-line borders on criminal for perpetual license software.
I have nothing that can help. Sorry.
Mike
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
I had already done that prior to my post. Unfortunately you are right about Christmas as the holidays and time off they have in England are incredible. Here in US it's just a couple of days but in UK they make a week of it! It just is not reasonable for software which has been installed on the same computer/s for the buyer to be denied access.
It has nothing to do with anti piracy, how can it? Xara is the only company I have ever had this kind of problem with and that includes MS Office Adobe CS, and Corel.
BTW I tried to get a "trial" working but so far no luck.
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Phill
I had already done that prior to my post. Unfortunately you are right about Christmas as the holidays and time off they have in England are incredible. Here in US it's just a couple of days but in UK they make a week of it! It just is not reasonable for software which has been installed on the same computer/s for the buyer to be denied access.
It has nothing to do with anti piracy, how can it? Xara is the only company I have ever had this kind of problem with and that includes MS Office Adobe CS, and Corel.
BTW I tried to get a "trial" working but so far no luck.
Phill, sorry to hear about your snarl-up. Work through Xara's Knowledgebase: http://support.xara.com/index.php?/K...serial-number; this describes how to deactivate from within the program as well as the method you are describing.
A trial will work on another (clean) machine but I doubt it will on one with a licence issue.
Download the trial Xara Web Designer 11 Premium instead. This will give you 7 to 30 days use. It will handle most of your .XAR site aspects; enough to handle minor modifications.
Note the design file saved is .WEB but it is essentially the same file.
Do make a copy of your original before starting, just to be safe.
Still submit a Ticket (http://support.xara.com/index.php?/Core/Default/Index) even if it is Christmas Eve.
I am sure the Xara Pixies will still be working.
Finally, I note Arizona has 11 Federal Days and one State day. In the UK, we have 8 Bank Holidays. On both sides of the pond, companies still stay open (or lose trade), though individual employees may choose to take longer periods off.
Acorn
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Don't know why I didn't think of this before but I just installed the previous version disc, and after entering the serial# a screen popped up giving the option to use for 30 days without registering. I chose that option and the program ran! However, this denial of use by Xara just is not ethical - in fact it's the same as theft as they are in effect selling product and then stealing it back once they have the money. It does not make any sense as all it does is cause a lot of inconvenience and aggravation to paying customers without whom they would definitely not be in business. Anyway, thanks for that WEB suggestion which I would have tried next.
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Phill - If you have a previous version disc, don't you also have a previous version registration number? You CAN have both versions installed concurrently without any issues. they don't overwrite each other.
Just to play devil's advocate, you haven't bought the software. If you read the EULA (or whatever they are called these days ...), I believe that you have only purchased a licence to use the software.
Having said that, no matter what the protection, Xara are only punishing the honest users ... the dishonest users probably already have a crack to get round it.
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
I have asked someone from Xara to have a look at this thread but I suspect most are out for the holidays.
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ss-kalm
Phill - If you have a previous version disc, don't you also have a previous version registration number? You CAN have both versions installed concurrently without any issues. they don't overwrite each other.
Just to play devil's advocate, you haven't bought the software. If you read the EULA (or whatever they are called these days ...), I believe that you have only purchased a licence to use the software.
Having said that, no matter what the protection, Xara are only punishing the honest users ... the dishonest users probably already have a crack to get round it.
I did read the EULA for previous installation and it states wordrds to the effect that one has a licence to install on 2 computers and that if installing to another computer it has to be deregistered on one of them first. There is no mention of having to wait 30 days to deregister. Apart from that in this case
I have only had it installed to the SAME computers ALL of the time.
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Phill
I did read the EULA for previous installation and it states wordrds to the effect that one has a licence to install on 2 computers and that if installing to another computer it has to be deregistered on one of them first. There is no mention of having to wait 30 days to deregister. Apart from that in this case
I have only had it installed to the SAME computers ALL of the time.
Phill, trying to understand the circumstances. Did you "upgrade" both machines to Windows 10 since installing XDPX11? Was the office machine the last one for this?
Acorn
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
UPDATE
Today I received an email from Xara and Magix stating that it has now been activated on both pc's! However, like the last time there was no apology for the inconvenience. In response to the question by "Acorn" both pc's had been upgraded to Win 10 since the initial install. The computer which locked me out was upgraded to 10 about a month ago which was an automatic upgrade with the transfer of all files and programs completed through that progress. All the installed programs, except for an old one which was incompatible with 10, have been running correctly, as indeed Xara was until yesterday. Even if 10 had been installed as a clean install I should have been allowed to install Xara as non of the hardware had changed. This problem seems isolated to Xara 11 as v 7 and v9 have continued to run when the OS was upgraded from XP to Vista and again to 7. Thanks to all who responded, but I have zero confidence in Xara/Magix and will not be buying any more of their products in future. That only leaves Corel as the only viable alternative as Adobe now require an annual subscription. That's why I am still using CS5. Pity, as Xara DP is a good program but a bad company.
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Phill
UPDATE
Today I received an email from Xara and Magix stating that it has now been activated on both pc's! However, like the last time there was no apology for the inconvenience. In response to the question by "Acorn" both pc's had been upgraded to Win 10 since the initial install. The computer which locked me out was upgraded to 10 about a month ago which was an automatic upgrade with the transfer of all files and programs completed through that progress. All the installed programs, except for an old one which was incompatible with 10, have been running correctly, as indeed Xara was until yesterday. Even if 10 had been installed as a clean install I should have been allowed to install Xara as non of the hardware had changed. This problem seems isolated to Xara 11 as v 7 and v9 have continued to run when the OS was upgraded from XP to Vista and again to 7. Thanks to all who responded, but I have zero confidence in Xara/Magix and will not be buying any more of their products in future. That only leaves Corel as the only viable alternative as Adobe now require an annual subscription. That's why I am still using CS5. Pity, as Xara DP is a good program but a bad company.
Phill, not a great experience for you but at least you are sorted. You still have a working application with free upgrades (for V11) in perpetuity so it is still possible to use without ever interacting with the company so keep using it and let the application prove itself. Part of Xara's problem was the introduction to Windows 10 after their launch so that development teams get a view of MS's direction with an alpha release but they can only aim to be ahead of the game. In this case, the contentious on-line activation fell foul of the W10 upgrade such that your application thought it was a new install; you get two bites and then you're into SNAFU territory. Xara did "explain" that W10 upgrades needed a deactivation and reactivation, seconds of effort, to avoid this but they were not smart enough to target all purchasers directly and relied on TG and their Knowledgebase for the detail.
At least stick with TG and Dear Xara... all the issues you find going ahead so we all collectively benefit. An application is not just code, it is the user experience and the after care. Your pain can be turned into a positive.
Merry Christmas,
Acorn
P.S. I told you the Xara Pixies would help; they're just a little shy.
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Phill
UPDATE
That only leaves Corel as the only viable alternative....
When you're on the lookout for alternative software I'd recommend Alternativeto.net. For instance: if you'd search for an alternative to Xara you will find Inkscape as a free alternative (http://alternativeto.net/software/xara-xtreme/) which is a good vector application (albeit with some major drawbacks compared with Xara) and GIMP or Paint.net for Photoshop.
I wouldn't put my eggs in Crel's basket.
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Xara DP is a good program but a bad company.
This is total nonsense and you are cutting off your nose to spite your face.
It's unfortunate you had the problems, but Xara did sort out the issue and invariably they do.
I'm really disappointed to see how little it takes to make my fellow man descend to use such such derogatory adjectives as you have used to describe Xara in this thread, and I cannot reconcile your description of the company with reality.
I hope you stick with xara and form a better opinion of the company and be a little less free with the accusations in the future.
I've know this company since the very first days when they were producing software and a more ethical and helpful company it would be hard to find.
In case you're wondering - I have no association with this company except as an end-user.
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Car manufacturers learned early on that improving performance and speed all but failed if the cigarette lighter make a grating noise.
Any designer knows that if the buyer has a niggle, however trivial, that becomes Public Enemy No. 1.
Xara is moving to a totally on-line product and is learning on the way; application niggles will be fixed through continuous integration.
Xara clearly must realise that customer service is still paramount and that this has to be developed equally.
We should praise Xara when it hits high and cajole it when it is missing the mark. The problem we have is we do not set the mark.
Acorn
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Quote:
I have zero confidence in Xara/Magix and will not be buying any more of their products in future. That only leaves Corel as the only viable alternative as Adobe now require an annual subscription.
Just so you know; it's not as bleak as all that. There are other sources of vector drawing programs in addition to Corel's Draw and Technical Designer (both of which I also use).
ACD's Canvas (now at version X16) is another of the venerable "big four" drawing programs (only FreeHand is gone, having been discontinued by Adobe). There's also Serif's DrawPlus, and open source Inkscape.
Like you and probably countless others, I also refuse to rent software, so my purchase of CS6 was the last money Adobe has received from me, and will remain so unless/until it offers perpetual licenses again. In fact, Adobe's take-it-or-leave-it arrogance against the decades-long customers who made Adobe what it is finally freed me of the ridiculously expensive Master Collection version update cycle I'd allowed myself to be suckered into, the savings of which has more than paid for all the above-mentioned alternatives, and I haven't missed a beat.
I've always considered it a matter of professional advantage to maintain comfortable proficiency in multiple drawing programs, thereby avoiding being held captive to and victimized by a single vendor. Adobe's move rather validated my stance on that.
JET
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
I've used CorelDRAW from v3 through to v12, an expensive exercise, and I have to say it was anything but plain sailing! I stopped at v12 because I got tired of upgrading for little benefit or new 'killer' features that turned out to be bloat that was dropped in the next version only to be replaced with more. The integration between CorelDRAW and it's bitmap editor PhotoPAINT was poor because they remained separate applications, and there were never any of the clever features and tight integration we see in Xara WDP11 today. And certainly no website design! Corel's biggest draw (sorry) for me was the ability to import and export a huge list of graphics and vector (CAD) formats, but having said that, most of it was very buggy or only for years' old versions, never the latest, and the tech support to fix those problems was really non-existent, you just had to work around them. Believe it or not, later versions of CorelDRAW will just crash in a heap if you try to open older versions of their own .cdr file format, only a few versions old, and the only way I found to do this was to keep versions 4, 8, 10 and 12 installed - which was possible up to Win XP, but not later. So it got very messy and too much of a burden ultimately.
Years and years ago I purchased an early version of Xara 3d and I was fascinated to find out about their historical links with the Corel brand - it makes a good read. Anyway I upgraded Xara 3d over the years, mainly for making animated and 3d web graphics for Frontpage (which went the way of the dinosaurs). Then last year when I was looking for a new, affordable web design program I came across Xara again, and you know what?, when I keyed in my old username and password I was still in their database with all the versions I'd bought listed there. I was highly impressed that I had not been dumped like so many other software vendors do when you miss an upgrade or two. I bought v10 of Xara Web Design and Photo & Graphic Designer and upgraded this year to v11 of XDP. It is great value, the forums are friendly, and from what I've seen, if you have found a repeatable problem you will get the support you need.
It's unfortunate that you've experienced such trouble, and I feel your aggravation. We all do things with our PCs our own way and suffer consequences when we do something the programmers didn't anticipate, so don't be too hard on them, it takes two to tango. There are lots of users with many versions of Windows and yet I haven't seen a landslide of complaints like yours on these forums (or is that fora?). I started on win 8.0, allowed the upgrade to 8.1 and then 10 and rolled back to 8.1 because I didn't like 10, all without any Xara lockout issues. When I upgraded from the Xara v10 app's I put them on another PC running Win 8.0 without issues. I get a good feeling using Xara XDP11 and I wish I had made the jump away from CorelDRAW years ago. I think Xara have done some very clever and original stuff and deserve our support.
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
I cannot believe that this has happened yet AGAIN, and barely 1 week later! I have a small print shop with office overhead like many small businesses. Therefore downtime means loss of customers and loss of revenue. I have not changed any software, hardware, memory, nor had any upgrades to any program in any of the 2 computers since I was graciously "unlocked" about a week ago. Despite this, when I tried to open Xara DP 11 on my laptop at the office I was greeted with a message to the effect that I would have to activate (yes, for the umpteenth time) and I would need an internet connection. At that time our cable internet was down. However I was able to connect and tether my smartphone and get connected. A screen appeared complete with email address and serial no. requesting my password to Xara. When I logged on the next screen informed me that I would have to "deactivate" one computer in order to activate, but when I tried to do this I received message to the effect that I was not allowed to activate for another 21 days! Another screen listed the 2 computers that had previously been activated, and what's more listed them correctly, i.e., with no changes. In that case why do I have to "reactivate" again, and why must I wait another 21 days?
I had promised a forms job to a customer today, but because of this I was unable to deliver through no fault of my own, but why should the customer care who's fault it was. Fortunately my customer in this case was understanding but I had intended not going in over the New Years holiday, so to keep a customer, guess what?
In this last instance I think what happened was that when I tried to open the program without being connected the program tried to "phone home" and could not get a connection so I was denied access. Of course that is my opinion and I do not know that for a fact but in previous instances Xara are not telling me what is going on.
Xara have an incredible customer be damned attitude. I would like to explore the possibilities of a class action lawsuit against this terrible company. I feel extra bad as I had recommended Xara to several clients in the past because (1) I thought it a good program and (2) the learning curve was shorter than some others and(3) I, like many other printers, lose money on art prep and would much rather have "camera-ready" art supplied ready to go.
Of course I have written Magix once again only this time asking for a refund. No doubt I will receive a response with no apologies but stating that they have unlocked the program (just as they did last week). BTW, when I tried to use an earlier version I had installed last week I again received a message that I would not be allowed to activate it for several weeks, despite the fact that it had previously only been installed on the very same computers!
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
In response to Jaydear, you have been very lucky. I mentioned before that all my other programs transferred over without activation iussues on Win10 auto upgrade.
This last instance has really put me over the top as NOTHING HAS CHANGED ON THAT COMPUTER, I checked and it has not even had a windows update as I had changed my settings not to allow autocratic updates, but notifications only. Also, I have checked my Corel programs on both pc's and they do not have activation issues and open per normal.
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Hi Phill,
I'm sorry you're having these problems with XDP11. I guess that some software or hardware on your machine is interacting badly with our copy protection mechanism. This is very unusual. Most installations work smoothly.
I have forwarded a link to this thread to the people in Xara who need to know about your problems.
Phil
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
The season of goodwill to all men is truly short in some parts.
Phil, these things are unfortunate, people are fallible as is Xara, but they aren't the devil you wish to portray them as.
You had to pop into the office to finish a job? I almost reached for a Kleenex.
Sure Xara needs to do something about this but we're all human.
I hope your issue is resolved, but frustrating as this activation issue has been, a lot of people wish that's all they had to worry about at this time of the year, or any time.
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Thank you for your sarcastic response that was certainly very helpful!
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
In response to Christine. Thanks for the link. In my case it has been the laptop the last two times and it has always been connected via wifi, and the same one. As mentioned, the most recent time it was not connected at all when opening Xara, but still produced the activation message after tethering it to a smartphone. Maybe by that time the damage was done as it were. I still think that there is something within the software that shuts things down when it cannot "phone home" and receive a go ahead, or when it is connected the response received is either not fully transmitted or becomes corrupted. Fact is that it should not happen particularly from the same machine.
Is it also possible that someone has the same serial number? Whatever the reason, it should not keep happening. I have never had a similar problem with any other software.
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Phil,
I don't know if this will make any difference but I had an issue with Outlook when first upgrading to Windows 10 - the program thought it did not have an internet connection. The solution I found was as below. This may or may not cure the issue but could be worth a try.
Go to the start menu. (Thats the little window icon on the bottom left of the screen)
(Hard to see but there is a scroll bar at the right hand side of the icons)
scroll to the bottom of the icons to the one that says command prompt
right click this and select run as administrator.
In the command box type sfc/scannow. wait for it to finish then close the command prompt window.
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Phill
Is it also possible that someone has the same serial number? Whatever the reason, it should not keep happening. I have never had a similar problem with any other software.
If someone else had the the same s.no. they'd be having the same issue as you. Grasping at straws here, but I'm wondering if you are using a fixed or dynamic IP address on your laptop, e.g on my home and work networks my laptop is always fixed at 192.168.1.12. If you're using a dynamic IP address that's randomly provided by your router, the program might (incorrectly) see a different IP address as a "change" that it needs to flag as another installation. I use fixed IPs because printers 'stay put' and it makes the network generally a bit quicker and more reliable imho. It also makes network auditing easier.
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Almost all these protection schemes concoct some form of machine identifier using a mix of the machine OS and the machine's hardware.
It's pointless second guessing, only Xara will know. It wouldn't be such a great issue if they hadn't also added the 21 day issue to the mix.
I'm hoping Xara will sort this out on Monday.
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Waiting 21 days is a bone-headed thing. But it also simply shouldn't phone home and cause any registration issue after first registering it. Not for perpetual license software.
There should be X number of installations allowed (as it does) and if someone alters their computer and goes over that limit, then fine, shut it off from further installation until Xara is contacted and it is worked out.
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Hi Phill
First off, apologies for delay in getting your problem solved, the holiday seasons are a pain for a company of our size :)
I understand that Neil has sent you a new serial number for you to use, he will be chasing the copy protection team to ensure this doesn't happen again either. Please let me know if you start getting problems with that serial number.
If you have sent a ticket with the problem within, can you send me your ticket ID and I will put it at the top of my list to monitor and respond immediately.
Please also send me your email address via PM or support ticket and we'll offer something as way of an apology.
Many thanks and hope you had a lovely holiday.
Kind Regards
Rob
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rob-Xar
Hi Phill
First off, apologies for delay in getting your problem solved, the holiday seasons are a pain for a company of our size :)
I understand that Neil has sent you a new serial number for you to use, he will be chasing the copy protection team to ensure this doesn't happen again either. Please let me know if you start getting problems with that serial number.
If you have sent a ticket with the problem within, can you send me your ticket ID and I will put it at the top of my list to monitor and respond immediately.
Please also send me your email address via PM or support ticket and we'll offer something as way of an apology.
Many thanks and hope you had a lovely holiday.
Kind Regards
Rob
Rob, in Phill's "absence" may I wish you and the Xara team a Happy New Year. I have always preferred the personal touch from a company like yours to the corporate behemoth. Could you now consider a little "something" for me as well? :thanks :salute:
Acorn
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Of course Acorn, take yesterday off ;)
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Egg Bramhill
Of course Acorn, take yesterday off ;)
Doing that right now.
In passing, your Avatar's chain looks like a W to me, in front of an anchor! :OT (a term of endearment?)
Acorn
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
I've no idea what you mean ;)
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Acorn
Rob, in Phill's "absence" may I wish you and the Xara team a Happy New Year. I have always preferred the personal touch from a company like yours to the corporate behemoth. Could you now consider a little "something" for me as well? :thanks :salute:
Acorn
Thanks Acorn :)
New year, new start, let's all work together :)
Attachment 111393
You can have whatever you want acorn
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rob-Xar
You can have whatever you want acorn
Well, kindness, patience and consideration for all, thank you,
Acorn
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Response received from Magix in Germany informing me that they had opened the slots or words to that effect. Following that
Xara opened on both computers. They later sent me a new serial number to use if I had further trouble. Well everything had been working once again until today when I tried to open Xara on my desktop only to be greeted with the usual screen complete with user name and serial number along with green check marks asking for activation and noting that trial period had expired. However this time I was not locked out as I never got that far as when I clicked activate the little graphic "clock" started going around and finally stopped. My internet connection was fine. I tried restarting the computer and same thing. Also running repair directly from install disk - same thing. I then uninstalled and reinstalled - same thing. At that point I had to leave for the office, but when I return I will uninstall and try reinstalling with the new serial number. In the meantime at least it is still working on the laptop which is the most important as that is what I use at the office. The reason I did not use the new serial# earlier is that once everything appeared to be working I did not want to risk any changes and have the 30 day wait screen pop up as I had a backlog of artwork to finish processing and didn't want any more downtime.
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
Tried uninstalling and downloaded trial version from Xara which I tried installing. Following install it came up with the regular serial# and user name along with the green check marks. For this to happen I obviously could not have uninstalled all old traces from registry in spite of using Revo uninstaller. Anyway I hit activate and all I get is the clock rotating briefly then stopping and a time put. Tried again but with the new serial # and the same thing. I have never, ever had this many problems with any software. I cannot believe I am the only one going through this Xara nightmare! Obviously I have filed another support ticket so we will see how long they take this time. No doubt they will eventually open the slots as they say and everything will be fine for a few days or weeks before I am asked yet again to activate on one or both computers.
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
What I find the strangest about this saga is that two computers used by one person are repetitively and identically affected! I'd be looking at both computers to see what is common apart from your good self; e.g. file manager, antivirus software, utilities such as registry cleaner, defragger, ramdisc, sandbox, privacy / site blocking tools, auto disc cleanup tools, etc., etc. Something is working against the way Xara software identifies that it is legitimate. On one PC, try temporarily disabling everything you don't really need, and make sure ALL the stuff you really do need is the right version for your OS version. Back up that PC *BEFORE* you start changing anything - a total backup image is the best insurance for unforeseen digital disasters. :confused: Another thought - do you shut down your PCs or just put them to sleep? It's a good idea to shut down completely and have a fresh start occasionally - especially after installing new software
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
I had written to both Magix and Xara. I had a response from Magix within 24 hours but, as is usual Xara are dragging their feet. Magix inform me that the problem lies with Xara and have agreed that the problem is not in computer hardware or connectivity but rather in the program itself. I maintain that Xara have put code into my registry requiring frequent activations, waiting periods, and denial of use. Following the response from Magix I installed my X9 software from it's original disk and it activated with no problem, whereas the time previous I did this, I was not allowed to activate for 21 days.
Without being a computer expert, if V9 activated it means it "talked" to Xara. Logic dictates that my registry contains code preventing activation or even communication where v 11 is concerned. Even though I had thought I had completely uninstalled it, there still remained code in the registry, otherwise how could my email and serial number have been automatically entered into the registration screen?
Your theory regarding a "common thread" as two different computers are involved, while being logical, just cannot apply here as the desktop has always had the same isp and the laptop has had three or four. They both at various times have run Win 7 and 10, but are now on 10. The only common thing, apart from the operator, is Xara pro 11 and shared artwork files, along with a router which has been shared by both and that router had been changed but the problems continued after that change. The problem has to be in the Xara software as why would it require regular activation if that requirement was not programmed into it? Why do you think Xara has been so unhelpful and unapologetic and slow to respond? I believe that Magix owns Xara but now it seems I am being bounced around between the two.
-
Re: Locked out of Xara DP11 once again!
It is common for commercial software and your OS to permanently store hidden/encrypted 'keys' on your hard disk (not necessarily in the registry) and to retrieve them when the software is re-installed, even if the disk is reformatted. Some software monitors the computer's hardware and will seek re-registration if certain items or a certain combination of items are changed. Usually there is a grace period before the software is deemed to be an unauthorised copy and then nobbled in some way, e.g. 'nagging'. Windows does something like this and OS-X has a scheme in place too. Anyway, I'm keen to learn how Xara resolves your situation.
I experienced a software security-related problem years ago in pre-USB days with a high-end CAD program that required a 'dongle' to be plugged into the PC's serial port (or was it the parallel port?) otherwise the software would not start. It was a huge problem for me because my X-Y plotter would not print with the dongle in between it and the port, and the software would shut down if the dongle was unplugged - a major oversight! After much complaining by the many affected users the company relented and got rid of the need for the dongle, relying on a serial number system. The popularity of that expensive CAD software soared and it flies even higher today. The point is that many users were prevented from enjoying normal useage by that CAD software's security measures. Is that the case here?