limited number of deactivations?

[Guest deeplodokus]

Hi,

 

I've been doing tests that involve having to activate/deactivate my modules quite a few times. If you're wondering what my tests are: running Windows in a qemu/KVM VM with VGA passthrough. I've been careful to deactivate everything everytime I knew I had to throw away a VM and restart from scratch.

 

On my DCS profile page, when I check the status of my modules, it all shows the correct number of activations. BUT I noticed that when I deactivate the modules, the deactivation tool says that I have a certain number of deactivations left, and that number keeps decreasing. I would expect that number to be steady.

 

So my question is: do I only have 10 deactivations per module?? Can I continue with my tests, activating/deactivating modules? Or can I really only deactivate a module 10 times??

 

Thanks :smartass:

[cthulhu68]

If you run out of activations you will then be re-assigned an activation once monthly.

I think your question should be "Why am I losing activations?" although I have no idea what this testing is you're referring to.

Typically only migrating DCS install from one computer to another costs an activation although hardware and software changes are also added up and enough things are changed it can cost activation.

[BIGNEWY]

check the pdf in your doc folder in the root of DCSWorld

 

Each game license (disk) has 10 activation's and 10 deactivation's

[Guest deeplodokus]

If you run out of activations you will then be re-assigned an activation once monthly.

I think your question should be "Why am I losing activations?" although I have no idea what this testing is you're referring to.

Typically only migrating DCS install from one computer to another costs an activation although hardware and software changes are also added up and enough things are changed it can cost activation.

thanks for the reply but i was referring to DEactivations

[Guest deeplodokus]

check the pdf in your doc folder in the root of DCSWorld

 

yeah, well, i find it strange. so basically i can activate/deactivate 10 times, then can just activate 10 times without deactivating, then i'll need to resort to those one-every-30-days thing. do i understand correctly?

[Highspeed1964]

It sounds to me like the OP is aware of the number of activations/deactivations allowed. His question (and the same one that's been on my mind since I'm fairly new to the DCS World) is:

 

When deactivating to move it to another system does the deactivation not get restored when it is successfully re-activated on the new machine?

 

From what I gather reading the original post, deeplodokus is testing his setup in a virtual machine (VM) environment and having to rebuild the virtual machine at times when he discovers that a different configuration is needed to improve performance or something of that nature.

 

In any case, is it normal that the deactivation count keeps decreasing even though the activations count is incremented back to the previous value after the whole process is completed?

 

If that is the case, I would suggest that deeplodokus perform the testing with just the base software (and any mods or other add-ons that are not purchased items) until your testing provides the result you're looking for. Then once you have a good configuration go ahead and activate your modules at that point.

 

Of course if the VM rebuilds are due to other factors not related to DCSW, perhaps you might want to consider putting your DCSW software on another machine (even if it's a separate VM from your other software) so that those rebuilds do not affect your deactivation/reactivation status.

 

Hope this makes sense.

 

Highspeed

 

EDIT: deeplodokus, you posted just as I was typing my reply. Your last post sums up the question quite nicely. That would be the way I understand it too, based on everything I've read/seen.

Edited December 1, 2016 by Highspeed1964

[Guest deeplodokus]

highspeed, spot on response indeed

 

i wanted to do tests with only DCS without modules, but you know... you think it works fine... then it doesn't... then you think you can activate/deactivate as much as you want... until you realise that you've burnt 5 deactivations already... :/

 

i find it strange to say the least that i'm buying something and i'm restricted as to how many times i can install/uninstall it on my own computer(s)

[Guest deeplodokus]

i've just sent a request to star-force to ask them, unless someone more clued up can respond here.

 

thanks.

[NeilWillis]

I am sure you could also explain to ED why you have run out of activations, and I am sure they'd extend the courtesy of adding some more.

 

Personally though, I think for testing like this, it might have been more beneficial to use the free modules, and only re-activate the rest after the tests were completed. I know hindsight is a wonderful thing and all that, and this may be as useful as a chocolate teapot, but it might allow you to continue testing and not worry about losing activations.

[Guest deeplodokus]

Right, so:

 

Just asked Star-Force this question:

 

Hi, I play a game called DCS (Digital Combat Simulator) and I have a few modules that are Star-Force-protected. I've been doing tests that involve having to activate/deactivate my modules quite a few times. My tests involve running Windows in a qemu/kvm VM (virtual machine) with VGA passthrough. I've been careful to deactivate my modules everytime I knew I had to throw away a VM and restart from scratch. On my DCS profile page, when I check the status of my modules, it all shows the correct number of activations. BUT I noticed that when I deactivate the modules, the deactivation tool says that I have a certain number of deactivations left, and that number keeps decreasing. I would expect that number to be steady. So my question is: do I only have 10 deactivations per module? It would mean that I can activate/deactivate 10 times, after that I'll be able to activate 10 times without deactivating, then i'll need to resort to those one-every-30-days activations. Do I understand correctly? As I wasn't aware of such a think when I started my tests, do I have a way to reset my activations/deactivations, either with your company, or with Eagles Dynamics (that makes DCS), or with the modules studios? Thanks,

Just got the following response:

Yes, you understand that correctly. "One-every-30-days activations" is actually our automatic added activation feature which would protect you from being left with 0 activations.

Our company just provides copy-protection solution. After protection is done, a publisher buys serial numbers for the product and then distribute them among the end-users along with protected product.

The point is that we would surely provide you all necessary support if you were experiencing any technical difficulties, but in your case the problem is with the limitations of your serial number and we don't have legal authority to do anything with it, because it belongs to the publisher.

So... Yeah, the de-activation isn't really a de-activation then, if you can only de-activate a certain number of times :mad: Or perhaps it is a de-activation ONLY if you stick to the exact same hardware :/ Edited December 1, 2016 by deeplodokus

[Sporg]

I would like to hear a reply from ED on this issue too.

 

I have the Mig-21 module which was replenished with activations after the Release/Open Beta/Alpha activation issue, but I noticed, my deactivations for that module is now very low.

 

For me, it would be a good idea if we could just deactivate with no limitations, so only the activations were counted, in case we failed to deactivate sometimes.

[BIGNEWY]

it has been this way since I have been using DCS, it has never been an issue for me personally.

[BitMaster]

I am down to a few on each of the modules available since I have to WORK with my PC for a living and sometimes I have to make changes that ED wont swallow...well...I PAID....hear me.

 

 

10 deactivations is a joke in my face as a system builder and overclocker, I have burned over 30 Mig21 lics meanwhile and many of my 10 others...I am fighting this DRM till my end...LOL

 

 

It's just not fair, we paid as we ought to and are limited in changing hardware over the lifetime of DCS...deactivations should be UNLIMITED...at least for overclockers, Forum Helpers and Sysadmins.

 

This is a JOKE...and I dont wanna read the small written stuff the to find out I got limited but had to pay full.

 

 

just my 2 cents for this stupid CPS ED uses...a plain shame for paying customers like I am

 

 

BitMaster

[BitMaster]

BTW...will you, ED, replenish my lics to at least to 2 a month so I can install TWICE a month if things go south too often or dio I have to look at the screen and the calendar at sdame time and think "OH my god, 2 more weeks until they let a paying customer ( all but 3 modules ) fly again.

 

 

This cant be what ED wants, seriously. This is nonsense in the face of a paying customer !!!!

 

Period

[BitMaster]

I am one or two lics away from this...and fear my yelling :!

 

EDIT***

Giving me a warning about this wont change my attitude and my lawyers attitude, from the day I will have to wait to fly you will have to fight my lawyer and the federal office of commerce in germany...that is my law and terms of conditions :)

 

I dont wanna go that way but if you force me I will, believe me !

 

10 Deactivations surely limits my MEANS of prohibiting hindering me to play...that is your part to fix.

 

 

I am not fighting without a polite email to replenish my lics by email and warnings, but in the end I will go the legal way and clear this once and forever, it doesnt cost me anything as I am a private in this case. ED will have to stand up and explain or give in right away.

 

I dont want to stirr things up, but whenever I read the numbers of activations left I feel betrayed. It plain doesnt count how ED thinks, the customer should be #1 and it isnt...he is left behind the right of ED..and that is NOT fair and NOT legal I dare to say under german law....MS lost the case with OEM lics...and that was far more complicated...this isnt.

 

Paying amd not getting full service drives me nuts, despute I am german I feel like an american this way. I am the #1, your paying customer.

 

Never forget that

Edited December 2, 2016 by BitMaster

[BitMaster]

Look at the mig-21 I have 3 x 10 lics meanwhile....what a joke...honestly...dump it and come uop with something kore customer friendly.

 

 

By raising DDR4 clocks alone you waste a lic...aint that a joke...ban me for the truth..but its out.

 

 

 

BitMaster

Germany

[SkateZilla]

Look at the mig-21 I have 3 x 10 lics meanwhile....what a joke...honestly...dump it and come uop with something kore customer friendly.

 

 

By raising DDR4 clocks alone you waste a lic...aint that a joke...ban me for the truth..but its out.

 

 

 

BitMaster

Germany

 

I am one or two lics away from this...and fear my yelling :!

 

EDIT***

Giving me a warning about this wont change my attitude and my lawyers attitude, from the day I will have to wait to fly you will have to fight my lawyer and the federal office of commerce in germany...that is my law and terms of conditions :)

 

I dont wanna go that way but if you force me I will, believe me !

 

10 Deactivations surely limits my MEANS of prohibiting hindering me to play...that is your part to fix.

 

 

I am not fighting without a polite email to replenish my lics by email and warnings, but in the end I will go the legal way and clear this once and forever, it doesnt cost me anything as I am a private in this case. ED will have to stand up and explain or give in right away.

 

I dont want to stirr things up, but whenever I read the numbers of activations left I feel betrayed. It plain doesnt count how ED thinks, the customer should be #1 and it isnt...he is left behind the right of ED..and that is NOT fair and NOT legal I dare to say under german law....MS lost the case with OEM lics...and that was far more complicated...this isnt.

 

Paying amd not getting full service drives me nuts, despute I am german I feel like an american this way. I am the #1, your paying customer.

 

Never forget that

 

I Suggest to take a Second to Catch Your Breathe.

 

That being Said, when a License Runs out of Keys they are Replenished at a rate of 1 Per 30 Days,

 

This is Stated in the EULA that you Agree to when installing DCS.

 

In the Case of the MiG-21, They (LN) have added Activations to license keys upon request.

 

 

And to Ammend, I Overclock, and Overclock A lot, and more frequent than likely anyone on this forum. (to the tune of I get free stuff from vendors just so they can see how far they can be pushed before release, includes Chips from AMD, Motherboards, RAM, etc).

 

General Rule of Thumb, You DONT overclock or modify a system constantly if it is needed for every day use, same thing with beta testing operating systems,

 

if you're going to constantly make changes that will change the hardware profile of your system, fine,

 

if you want to use software that has and always has been sensitive to hardware profile changes, they you should not being using said software on a machine that is going to be constantly changed.

 

That's just Overclocker Common Sense,

 

My Overclocking Bench is Literally a Mainboard Tray Attached to a Shelf, and a SSD with a Windows PE Kernel and Linux Bootable USB Drive.

Edited December 2, 2016 by SkateZilla

[Guest deeplodokus]

yeah, the thing is... for 95% or 98% of people, that limitation is just fine

 

for the small percentage that keep changing hardware or VM type, or keep reinstalling OS, this is really annoying

 

i don't play other games than DCS. how does it work with other games? just one serial and you activate just like a normal program?

[SkateZilla]

yeah, the thing is... for 95% or 98% of people, that limitation is just fine

 

for the small percentage that keep changing hardware or VM type, or keep reinstalling OS, this is really annoying

 

i don't play other games than DCS. how does it work with other games? just one serial and you activate just like a normal program?

 

With other License Key DRM Games, You'd Contact Support and they Issue you a new License Key,

 

With Secure Account DRM Games, You'd Sign in, have a code sent, and then verify it's you and the DRM will be reset for the new machine.

 

There's several game's that have a mainboard linked DRM, where if you change mainboards, you out of luck and will have to purchase a new license key.

 

 

There are SEVERAL AAA Games that have way more intrusive and confrontational DRM Systems.

Edited December 2, 2016 by SkateZilla

[Guest deeplodokus]

With other License Key DRM Games, You'd Contact Support and they Issue you a new License Key,

 

With Secure Account DRM Games, You'd Sign in, have a code sent, and then verify it's you and the DRM will be reset for the new machine.

 

do you have to do that every time you haven't deactivated a serial (if you even can deactivate)?

[SkateZilla]

do you have to do that every time you haven't deactivated a serial (if you even can deactivate)?

 

With other games that do not use starforce proactive, yes, it's an support ticket everytime you change mainboards or processors.

 

w/ Starforce Proactive, you can:

 

A. De-activate, get +1 Activation, change hardware, activate on new hardware,

B. Change your hardware, deleted the Hardware ID in the Registry, re-activate and lost an activation.

 

EULA States Activations Replenish 1 Per 30 Days or 1 Per De-Activation, no where does it say the De-Activations Replenish.

[Guest deeplodokus]

With other games that do not use starforce proactive, yes, it's an support ticket everytime you change mainboards or processors.

 

w/ Starforce Proactive, you can:

 

A. De-activate, get +1 Activation, change hardware, activate on new hardware,

B. Change your hardware, deleted the Hardware ID in the Registry, re-activate and lost an activation.

 

EULA States Activations Replenish 1 Per 30 Days or 1 Per De-Activation, no where does it say the De-Activations Replenish.

 

i find it unclear that it means that in the long run you're likely to run into issues:

 

activate/deactivate, ok 10 times

then activate 10 times but you can't deactivate anymore

therefore you reach zero activation left

and have to resort to the 1-per-30/31-days

 

fair enough, it's all legal because we've all accepted it because we all want to play this game and we don't really have much choice, do we...

 

i have zero experience with other games but find this system quite strange. maybe it's actually better than the way other games are protected, difficult for me to assess :)

Edited December 3, 2016 by deeplodokus

[mbar]

This deactivation count has me confused. I've linked all my serials to my DCS account. I can check them all and see the number of activation I have. Most of which are 0/10. Cool. So if I want to uninstall DCS I thought it'd be best to deactivate modules and uninstall. But now I have a couple of modules that have 8 deactivations left. Would I be better off not deactivating? Especially if I'm only using the one PC for DCS?

[cthulhu68]

The problem with not deactivating is when you go to reinstall the registry system basically thinks you're another person trying to activate the module. You wont be able to activate the modules until you wipe the registry and start over. This is why you want to deactivate.

[mbar]

okay thanks. It seemed best to deactivate. I guess i'll deal with "0 deactivations left" when it happens.