This is bull!

[BuzzU]

Because you bought a restricted product. ED said they might help those who needed extra keys, esp. when SF refused to function correctly and caused peopel to use up keys needlessly. Where did you see ANYTHING about ED just wholesale handing keys out because you didn't care to back'em up and you assumed that they'd just give you a new set?

 

They probably have to pay for each key they get, and they probably don't want everyone doing EXACTLY what you did and being innundated with key renewal requests.

 

Maybe if you point out to them that you've been a loyal customer since day one and that you assumed things that aren't wrong, and tell them it won't happen again, they'll consider giving you another key.

 

When I bought my copy I planned to keep the keys safe because I certainly wouldn't assume that I'll just get handed another set.

 

That's like assuming that speeding is legal because you bought a ferrari.

 

You are so far the -only- one as far as I can tell, who just assumed you could blow away activations and not care. I think that everyone else was aware that they may get an activation if they had a good reason.

 

But you didn't even try to take the slightest of precautions by your own admission. I don't like this particular business model (and it was obvious that SF wasn't keeping an online key database since a reformat of windows required a new key) but I didn't exactly buy my copy not knowing what I was going into.

 

Maybe you should point some of that venting at SF, too ... they -could- have come up with a better product in this case.

 

Since you have no idea what I wrote to them. You're just blowing hot air. I really don't need to explain anything to you. I paid my money and got screwed. Too bad if you don't see it that way.

[Alfa]

Since you have no idea what I wrote to them. You're just blowing hot air. I really don't need to explain anything to you. I paid my money and got screwed. Too bad if you don't see it that way.

 

Ok quit the bickering the pair of you or I will lock this thread down.

 

BuzzU,

 

I dont know what you hoped to achieve with this thread, but I can guarantee you that nothing productive will come from this kind of approach. If you feel the response you recieved was unfair, you should make this point via the proper channels and not just resort to "blowing steam" on a public forum.

 

After all the reply you got may just be what the person in question thinks is the situation - if I was in your position, I would write back to find out whether the forum administrator merely offered her immedeate impression on the situation, or whether it is to be considered an official refusal to grant you a new serial #.

 

Generally speaking you cannot expect unlimited activations to be made available - if this was the case, there would be little idea behind the copy protection system in the first place. However, I do not believe that ED would refuse to grant you a new serial # if you can document your purchase and explain how you managed to use up all your activations already.....i.e. one that doesnt involve installing the product on several different machines or the like :)

 

Cheers,

- JJ.

[BuzzU]

I pretty much did that in my first letter to them. I've been ignored in anything else i've sent. This thread was a rant, and also to let others know what was happening.

 

Like I said. If I was aware that I had limited activations I would have saved them better. However, telling me to buy the game again is unacceptable.

[Guest ruggbutt]

I wasn't aware of limited activations either JJ.

[BuzzU]

I forgot my third reason.

 

The squeeky wheel gets the oil.

[Alfa]

He doesn't need to explain anything!

 

He purchased the right to use the software, not own it, but nowhere was cleary said, that it has limited usage.

 

If it has any limits, it's more like a demo. I've got tons of programs installed on PC, not one has a limited usage option. If that was the case, i and many other people wouldn't buy FC. In a way, i could also say, that if that's the case, then i was mislead by ED.

 

Anyway, this is no way to treat people, especially the ones that suppoerted ED by directly giving them money! That was in many cases the reason, why we purchased it on-line!

 

Before i purchased FC i and many others clearly asked if there are any limits to using it, especially with all the activation stuff goin' on. We didn't get not one clear answer from ED. Now it's time to clear the mess up, once and for all.

 

And i don't expect answer from you,Veljko or GG, i and many others want it from ED, clearly said:

 

did we purchase or just leased it?

 

You purchased a license to use the software unlimited on one PC - the activation process is there to ensure that it is being used on one PC only.

 

The only way to do this is by locking the product activation to the hardware profile, and the need for re-activation should occur only if the product is being installed on a different PC than the initial one. In this connection a major hardware upgrade will be perceived as such, which is why a limited set of activations is made available.

 

If you expend all your activations within a relatively short period of time - i.e. faster than what is deemed plausible in connection with major hardware upgrades, you need to explain why to get a new set - whether it be due to an unusual need for hardware upgrades, or if you feel that you have been asked for re-activation needlessly. As Veljko said, apart from the above legitimate reasons the only other explanation is that you have violated the EULA by installing the product on multiple machines.

 

Cheers,

- JJ.

[BuzzU]

I have only one system. (have I said that before?) I format my system like some guys defrag. I have recovery CD's and can format in an hour. I like my system squeeky clean and the minute I think i've picked up some junk I format. I've noticed some sims (like LO) run better on a freshly formatted system. This has caused me to go through activations quite fast. Should I be made to pay twice for this practice? Not in my eyes it doesn't.

[condor11]

I forgot my third reason.

 

The squeeky wheel gets the oil.

 

That's one approach, but another one is

"You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar"

 

It all depends who you are dealing with. If you are dealing with your insurance company, the bank, or other big corporation then yes, making noise is your only chance to get things resolved. That's because those corporations have strict policies to not allow exceptions when someone asks for one.

 

But in this case you aren't dealing with a corporation. You are dealing with a group of people who really love what they do and that is - flight sims. Better approach would be to PM one of the ED guys here and explain the problem. I am sure it would have better chances to being resolved to your satisfation.

 

Seriously, try to approach this and similar problems in more positive manner. The results are usually better this way. We are all humans and ED team members are no exception :)

[Alfa]

I pretty much did that in my first letter to them. I've been ignored in anything else i've sent. This thread was a rant, and also to let others know what was happening.

 

Like I said. If I was aware that I had limited activations I would have saved them better. However, telling me to buy the game again is unacceptable.

 

You should know that ED arent always quick to reply, so you cannot automatically derrive that you are being ignored.

 

I cannot comment on your particular case as I know nothing about it. But as far as the rant bit goes, all I can say is that :

 

a). it is not likely to do any good for your particular cause.

 

b). as forum moderator I am not cool with rants because they arent productive under any circumstances.

 

Cheers,

- JJ.

[condor11]

I've noticed some sims (like LO) run better on a freshly formatted system.

 

As a professional software developer I can tell you that with latest operating systems such as Windows 2000 or XP this is simply not true.

I have a lot of stuff on my PC at home - browsers, P2P, lots of software and I haven't reinstalled my XP since it first came out. I haven't defragged either - NTFS file system is a lot less dependant on fragmentation. I've been running all the latest games on it never having to defrag and reformat. What's more I don't even reboot my WinXP machine unless I need to install updates or there is a power failure.

 

If you are concerned that you may have spyware and/or viruses - user anti-spyware and anti-virus programs.

 

Here are two free ones and they are actually better than commercial stuff you can buy.

 

Spybot

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

 

Antivir

http://www.free-av.com/

[BuzzU]

I understand JJ, but i'm not cool with being told the money I spent in good faith for a sim is now no good.

 

I try and be fair in all my dealings. I don't feel as though i've been given the same consideration here.

[BuzzU]

As a professional software developer I can tell you that with latest operating systems such as Windows 2000 or XP this is simply not true.

I have a lot of stuff on my PC at home - browsers, P2P, lots of software and I haven't reinstalled my XP since it first came out. I haven't defragged either - NTFS file system is a lot less dependant on fragmentation. I've been running all the latest games on it never having to defrag and reformat. What's more I don't even reboot my WinXP machine unless I need to install updates or there is a power failure.

 

If you are concerned that you may have spyware and/or viruses - user anti-spyware and anti-virus programs.

 

Here are two free ones and they are actually better than commercial stuff you can buy.

 

Spybot

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

 

Antivir

http://www.free-av.com/

 

Like my games. I pay for my anti virus programs. I've tried them all, and have settled on AVG. I'm sorry, but I can't agree on a format not helping. I've gotten rid of stutters by doing it. I also do some beta testing for race sims, and sometimes my systems just bogs down from all the crashing. A format brings it right back to life. Like I said it only takes me an hour and can get it done while watching one tv program.

 

The bottom line is I got my answer from them very fast. It's not like they put much thought into it.

[Alfa]

I wasn't aware of limited activations either JJ.

 

How can you be unaware of the limited number of activations Ruggbutt? - when you activate the software for the first time, it says how many activations you have left.

 

Besides, if it had no limits what would be the point with the activation process in the first place?.

 

One product purchase = one serial #. The bit about contacting ED for a new set of activations(new serial #) is not a right that comes with the product purchase, but rather a case of ED showing flexibility from the normal purchase conditions - but on a case by case evaluation for the individual buyer, which is why you need to have a good reason for needing a new serial #.....i.e. actually a replacement product.

 

Cheers,

- JJ.

[BuzzU]

How about i'm bad with numbers?

[Guest EVIL-SCOTSMAN]

If I have to go buy the hard copy after I bought the d/l, then it will be the last time I spend money on anything from ED.

 

 

same here, i remember a post about 1 month ago where someone asked for more activations and ed/starforce just shunned him for weeks without getting back to him, if for any reason when i come to reinstall lockon, as i had a crapload of problems and had to reinstall afresh numerous times without the regkey doing its thing and being refused more activations, then rest assured no mo money parting company from me to go in there direction.......

 

ED/Starforce, seriously read this thread and decide on your next move, as many people are just sick to the back teeth of starforce and activations.......

 

in this patch my number one concern now is, kill starforce before anything else gets done.... :icon_excl :icon_excl :icon_excl

[Alfa]

I understand JJ, but i'm not cool with being told the money I spent in good faith for a sim is now no good.

 

I try and be fair in all my dealings. I don't feel as though i've been given the same consideration here.

 

Ok.

 

But please "chill out" for awhile and lets see if this issue can be resolved somehow :) .

 

Cheers,

- JJ.

[BuzzU]

btw...If you happen to be careless as me and type in your serial# wrong . You've used up an activation.

 

Kill me for being a lousy typer and blind as a bat.

[Guest EVIL-SCOTSMAN]

btw...If you happen to be careless as me and type in your serial# wrong . You've used up an activation.

 

Kill me for being a lousy typer and blind as a bat.

 

 

neg, i typed in a U 3 times instead of a V or vice versa and not once did i loose an activation ?

[BuzzU]

neg, i typed in a U 3 times instead of a V or vice versa and not once did i loose an activation ?

 

Did you try to activate while it was typed wrong?

[Alfa]

btw...If you happen to be careless as me and type in your serial# wrong . You've used up an activation.

 

Kill me for being a lousy typer and blind as a bat.

 

Cannot happen BuzzU.

 

If you type in the wrong serial #, the activation process will fail....only successful activations count.

 

Cheers,

- JJ.

[BuzzU]

I remember it happening in the beginning when I only had 5 activations.

 

Whatever though. I don't expect much to happen with this, so i'm moving on.

[Roman G]

This thread wouldn't be here if StarForce wasn't such a poor piece of software.

 

Issue #1 - they chose to delete your activation key info from registry once you uninstall FC. (this actually is partly problem on ED-side too). If they chose not to do that then Buzzu would still have a couple of activation left. Those who don't plan to install FC anymore would have about 1kB of their hard disk wasted - which with today's HD prices cost about 0.001 of a penny. For those outraged by this cost ED could provide tool to completely remove activation key(s) from registry instead of providing tool to back-up activation key and then restore it.

 

Issue #2 - SF is supposed to bind your FC copy to particular hardware. Why then they chose to use things like "computer name", "hard disk label" in SF hardware key? Computer name and disk label are not hardware attributes and they are in category of things I can change a couple of times per day without thinking that I should re-buy any software installed on that PC because of that ...

 

Issue #3 - why HKEY_CURRENT_USER registry hive is used for storage of SF activation keys ? For this reason SF asked me for SECOND activation key two minutes after I installed FC and activated it. Why ? Because I install things logged in as Administrator, and then run (any) software using different (non-admin) windows account - this is good for your system health as it makes it harder for viruses/spyware to get in. So basically, each time you log into computer with using different login name and try to play FC - SF asks for new activation. This problem wouldn't be there if SF chose to use HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry hive instead.

 

Issue #3 - why SF needs to be installed as a system driver (I asked this question before but nobody from SF or ED bothered to answer) ? I am quite careful about security vulnerabilities - and installing a driver from unknown software developer bothers me a lot. A lot of people raised their security concers about SF and it's prior history of security vulnerabilities even before FC was released. A lot of these concerns could be shut off if SF would not require admin priviledges to install or run.

[Guest EVIL-SCOTSMAN]

Did you try to activate while it was typed wrong?

 

rgr,

 

it just doesnt activate, it says iirc something like "invalid key or wrong code", something like that and the activations stay the same, it only goes down when you actually activate it. well it did with me 3 times until i changed the U to a V, it was bad handwriting on my part. but i rechecked the key on lockon site and i noticed i had mixed the key up. but it not once stoled activations from me for inputting the wrong key.

[pappavis]

ED offered tools for saving your SF keys so that you wouldn't blow activations. Why didn't you use them?

 

Still, even if i need to reactivate 200,000 times they need to ensure that my lo-mac continues to be able to run and install. I am a supporter of lo-mac, being the only modern combat sim around, but why should we the honest people suffer?? Rather, why do they make their problem my problem..?

[BlackWidow]

I have followed the posts and thought of the following:

 

I started with the first LockOn Version, my Computer was not

powerful to handle the sim, and so I put it away... even today

the sim is so demanding that I think: perhaps in one more year

the computer is fast enough to handle all the eye candy.

 

But, as I change my hardware, I need a new activation. And

somehow I wonder: If I got that kick ass computer in the future

that renders the graphics without stutters and above 30 fps all over

- will I be able to play it "then" because of the activation restrictions

by hardware changes?

 

The best way would be that legitimate customers of the DL version

can order a CD for the price of it's production & packaging & shipping.

 

 

Christian